OJJDP's State and Community Development Awards program was established to provide grants and cooperative agreements to organizations that OJJDP has selected for funds in prior years. This program has been authorized by an Act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice.
The National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention (Forum) was established by the White House in 2011 and is a network of cities united in their drive to prevent youth violence with federal agencies and private partners. The Forum has expanded to a total of 10 cities across the country implementing strategies and evidenced-based programs to reduce youth violence. The Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor as well as the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Office of National Drug Control Policy provide key supports to the Forum cities.
OJJDP provides funding to support the core activities in Forum cities linked to the approved comprehensive plans. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) has provided funding to the Forum cities to improve or expand the use of a "School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports" (SWPBIS) framework.
The Memphis Forum on Youth Violence Prevention aims to strengthen its core program and pilot an evidence-based PBIS program in six high-need high schools within two neighborhoods served by Shelby County Schools (SCS), thereby enhancing the city's Youth Violence Prevention Plan (MYVPP). All six schools are under Memphis Police Department (MPD) jurisdiction and are in neighborhoods identified as having significant or emerging problems with gang activities and violent crime. The schools have a combined enrollment of 6,252 students, approximately 91% of whom are African American. MPD will subcontract with Memphis Shelby Crime Commission (MSCC) to deliver activities in support of the project's first goal - Build Capacity for MYVPP Partners through staff coordination support and training and technical assistance.
Funding will ensure that the Frayser Youth Council remains active and engaged in violence prevention in the community serving three schools. A second youth council will be established in the community serving the other schools. MSCC will hire an Americorps VISTA to implement this activity and provide leadership, training, development, and service learning activities for youth in both communities. Additionally, a consultant/contractor will be hired to create a MYVPP strategic marketing/public relations plan.
Educational activities coordinated by MSCC will include training, peer city site visits, and participation in a national youth violence prevention conference. Performance measures will be reviewed regularly by a Core Management Team (CMT).
MPD will subcontract with SCS to deliver activities in support of the second goal - Implement and enhance PBIS framework in six high need high schools. Two Discipline and Support Behavior (DSB) Analysts will support staff behavior, decision making, and student behavior, tailoring service as needed in order to achieve outcomes for the "total school" and to ensure that tiered supports are in place for students. Each DSB Analyst will work in a target community, supporting three schools and building a climate for PBIS success throughout that community. School data tracked by the DSB Analysts will be reviewed regularly by the CMT, and MPD data will be reviewed quarterly. NCA/NCF
