WEST CHESTER (September 27, 2021) – $24 million in grant funding to address and prevent community violence is now available through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), state Senator Carolyn Comitta said today.
The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program, a new state grant opportunity, supports effective local intervention and preventative measures to stop gun and group violence in regions that are experiencing high rates of violent crime.
“Safe communities are healthy communities. No child or family deserves to live on the frontlines of the epidemic of gun violence, but the reality is far too many face this threat every day in their very own neighborhoods and backyards,” said Senator Comitta, a member of the bicameral Pennsylvania Safe Caucus. “These funds will serve to assist our communities with the tools to increase quality trauma-informed support services, behavioral health care, intervention services, and much more to address high rates of violence.”
Community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, municipalities, district attorneys, and counties are eligible to apply. Awards are tiered toward the applicant’s size and service area and can range from $50,000 to $2,000,000 for project periods of up to two years.
The application period is now open through October 15, 2021.
“Gun violence tears our communities apart, and we have seen far too much of it across the commonwealth over the past year,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Families and communities across Pennsylvania have experienced far too much loss. This funding will provide necessary resources for effective, community-led programs that work to stop gun violence and group violence. My administration is proud to work with our legislative partners and leadership at PCCD to make this funding available to end the cycle of violence and loss in our communities.”
State Senator Vincent Hughes, minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “Our caucus fought side by side with the governor to ensure the budget includes a significant investment in community violence intervention programs. The opening of applications for this funding is the next step to getting these funds to our communities. I encourage those grassroots, neighborhood-based organizations, that work day-in and day-out on the front line of the gun violence pandemic plaguing communities, to submit an application for assistance so they can continue to provide these vital services in our communities.”
“We can no longer afford to ignore the very real human and economic costs of gun violence in the Commonwealth. As a legislator and a parent, I am committed to not only reducing these costs but to also creating a safer Pennsylvania for our children,” said state Representative Donna Bullock, Chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “This grant is a significant investment in proven violence prevention programs led by trusted partners with boots on the ground.”
Since 2018, PCCD has invested nearly $6.1 million in state and federal funds to support local gun violence reduction efforts.
More information on PCCD grant opportunities and application resources can be found by visiting www.pccd.pa.gov.