|
Welcome to the Prevention Connection, a quarterly newsletter highlighting activities, resources, and information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3).
Please note, references to non-DHS organizations are for informational purposes only. References do not constitute an official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or Federal Government.
|
|
A Letter from Leadership
The threat of targeted violence, including terrorism, premeditated hate crimes, and grievance-based violence continues to grow, ripping the social fabric of our nation. Mass casualty plots in the United States increased 1,900% since the early 1990s, according to data collected by START. The FBI’s repository of hate crime data reported by law enforcement organizations shows year-to-year increases in recent years, with hate crimes associated with the conflict in the Middle East exacerbating that trend in 2023. The news media report a steady increase in school shootings over the past several decades. This dramatic increase in violence is something we feel both personally and as a society.
While the forms of violence vary, we know one commonality: much of this violence is preventable. Now more than ever, it is clear that we need to take action to decrease the frequency of targeted violence and apply innovative approaches to bolster the factors that keep individuals, families and communities safe.
Beginning in 2019, the Department of Homeland Security has been countering the rising threat of targeted violence through the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). Recognizing that targeted violence is an enduring threat requiring a proactive, long-term, intentional, and evidence-based response, CP3 draws from the experience of partners working in other violence prevention fields to inform its approach.
I was honored to join CP3 in April 2023, and I am inspired by our team and our partners across the nation. We work every day in partnership to improve the safety and well-being of our communities. Specifically, we are increasing the size and capacity of the targeted violence and terrorism prevention community, investing in innovative practices, expanding the knowledge base of prevention, and raising awareness of effective initiatives across the country. Collectively, we are enhancing the national capacity for targeted violence and terrorism prevention. I share this newsletter to highlight in-depth stories and resources for those involved or interested in violence prevention work. The efficacy and pragmatism of the work that CP3, along with the work you, our partners do, helps foster a culture of non-violence and violence prevention in our country.
|
|
CP3 Overview
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) strengthens our country’s ability to prevent targeted violence and terrorism nationwide through funding, training, increased public awareness, and partnerships across every level of government, the private sector, and in local communities.
Learn More...
|
|
Feature Story
Listen to Students and Let Them Lead: How the Louisiana Youth Advisory Council Informs School Safety
The Louisiana Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) provides high school students with an avenue to propose recommendations on youth-related issues directly to lawmakers. Following a lockdown at Benjamin Franklin High School, the group turned to State Senator Barry Milligan to transform crisis management and response planning at schools across Louisiana. As a result, the School Safety Act of 2023 was passed in June. The LYAC also won the DHS-funded Invent2Prevent student competition in 2022 for another school safety-related initiative, the “Let’s Talk” card game that promotes camaraderie and mental health amongst student peers.
Read More...
 Grantee Spotlight
TVTP Grantee Music in Common Uses Songs to Expand Racial Understanding and Promote Non-Violence
TVTP Grant Program recipient Music in Common uses the universal language of music to bring together diverse communities, share experiences, and have meaningful conversations. Hear from founder Todd Mack about how the Black Legacy Project, funded by DHS in 2021, and the Black LP Experience, funded by DHS in 2022, are creating healthy community connections at events across the country.
Read More...
From the Field
DHS and Wood County, Ohio Partner to Increase
Intervention/Prevention Capacity
In partnership with CP3, Wood County established a county-wide, multidisciplinary Behavioral Intervention Program (BIP), a proactive approach to identify concerning behavior; investigating, assessing, and managing a student’s well-being; and protecting civil rights before an individual commits an act of violence. On August 28, 2023 the County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHS) Board received $6.6 million in program funding to help expand this program and help stabilize youth in crisis, including those who are risk at for violence towards self or others.
Read More…
Tools and Resources
CISA's SAFECOM Unveils Updated List of Financial Assistance for Emergency Communications
In partnership with SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) updated the List of Federal Financial Assistance Programs Funding Emergency Communications. This evolving resource highlights grants, loans, and agreements that bolster emergency communications. The list provides insights into key grant aspects, from objectives to allowable emergency communication-related costs.
Read More…
A Public Health Approach Builds Resilience to Violence
Interested in learning more about the public health approach to targeted violence prevention? Looking for a resource on this topic to share with partners and other interested stakeholders?
In partnership with the McCain Institute, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) recently published an Explainer that serves as a brief, but comprehensive description of a public health approach to targeted violence prevention that aligns with CP3’s current strategy.
Read More…
|
|
Latest News
Prepare to Submit Your Fiscal Year 2024 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program Application
CP3 has released its Fiscal Year 2024 TVTP Grant Program Application Guidance, which provides a forecast of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, which will be released shortly. The guidance enables prospective applicants to familiarize themselves with the critical information needed to prepare an application and begin seeking partnerships and gathering data now. CP3 is committed to supporting first-time applicants, particularly those representing underserved communities. More information, including resources and a recorded webinar, are available at dhs.gov/tvtpgrants.
|
|
|
|
|
