Gang Prevention in Fulton County

Grantees are funded under this initiative to develop program activities based on the core strategies of the Comprehensive Gang Model. Category 1, Intervention, supports intervention strategies that can dissuade youth from joining gangs and help them discontinue their involvement in gangs. Proposed strategies are built upon the principles of the following core strategies in the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model: Community Mobilization, Opportunities Provision, and Social Intervention.

The Fulton County Center of Youth Empowerment and Gang Prevention (the Center) will work with boys and girls ages 12–17 who are at risk of joining gangs, were exposed to gang violence or victimized by criminal street gangs, or seeking assistance in removing themselves from gang activity. Most of the assisted individuals will reside in Fulton County. The Center will provide the tools to explore personal and professional development as well as recreational activities. Academic mentorship will be coupled with a conflict resolution course. Early intervention services begin in the sixth grade with afterschool programs like G.R.E.A.T. and homework assistance. As the youth achieve grade promotion, meetings are supplemented with weekend learning and empowerment workshops. Through middle school, the Center will transform teenagers with increased programming and financial literacy. In high school, programming will sharpen the focus of youth to see the impact of a college education or a vocational apprenticeship. The Center will establish a community network, called the Network, in Fulton County, to identify and address service gaps and barriers and create a comprehensive system of services for youth at risk of becoming gang involved or continuing in the gang lifestyle. Fulton County will establish a director of service providers and offer support services with evidence-based practices (cognitive behavioral therapy, functional family therapy with gang adaption). The applicant will use street outreach, counseling, and mitigation. CA/NCF