Indy HeartBeat

The Youth Gang Desistance/Diversion Grant Program supports the efforts of jurisdictions struggling with high levels of youth gang violence to implement one or more components of the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model as part of a community- and data-driven desistance/diversion response to gang-related crime and violence. This program is authorized by Pub. L. No. 116-6 Stat. 13, 113.

In 2016, Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County launched Indy HeartBeat, a partnership between Eskenazi Health and Marion County Public Health Department, with the purpose of reducing violent crime in Marion County. Indy HeartBeat uses a two-pronged approach that focuses on providing interventions at the individual and family levels, while also preventing and reducing crime at the community level through outreach, improved social and economic factors, and violence interruption education. The proposed project will revise the existing Indy HeartBeat program by incorporating a partnership between the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Indy HeartBeat will target youth under age 18 and their families through wraparound case management that includes creating a goal plan and referrals to necessary community resources. The project will offer community education and training to address gang violence, as well as refine an executive committee composed of numerous agencies dedicated to reducing youth violence in Marion County. CA/NCF