Awareness, Mentorship, Prevention, Protection (AMPP) Violence Prevention Program

This program aligns with the Department’s priorities to combat victimization and reduce violent crime. Funding under the Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program can be used to develop support services for children exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities; and to develop, enhance, and implement violent crime reduction strategies that focus on violent juvenile offenders. This program development and resource allocation decision by interested applicants should be based on currently available resources to the jurisdiction and gaps in services. This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 11171-11172; Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-93; 133 Stat. 2317, 2410.

Two zip codes in Baton Rouge, LA have some of the highest rates of poverty and crime in the state. Juvenile violence is rising at an alarming rate. Juvenile gun-related admissions into the East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP) Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) rose from 43 in 2017–18 to 70 in 2018–19. The EBRP 2018 Louisiana Caring Communities Survey indicated high rates of risk factors and low rates of protective factors, particularly those relating to family and school. The target populations will be juvenile offenders and their families and youth who have been victims of or witnessed violence and their families in the two zip codes.

Program goals are to (1) reduce the incidence of violence through accountability for juvenile offenders by providing comprehensive positive youth development (PYD) case management with at least 30 juvenile offenders and their families each year; (2) implement supportive services for children exposed to violence by providing comprehensive PYD-based case management to at least 30 youth victims of crime and their families each year; and (3) increase individual, peer-to-peer, school, family, and community protective factors.

Empower 225 will establish three locations for afterschool and Saturday events, parent nights, youth engagement activities, field trips, and community service projects for at least 200 youth. Outcomes include a reduction in juvenile violence and recidivism, less youth exposure to violence, and a community that works together to support the youth. CA/NCF