AUSTIN (KXAN) — City Council voted last week to allocate $1 million to community violence intervention efforts. Last budget cycle, $500,000 city dollars were allocated.
This money falls under Austin Public Health, which the city’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) operates under. Additional funds were allocated to trauma and victim services efforts, as listed below, according to the City.
- $500,000 to aid survivors in recovery from trauma.
- $350,000 to support shelter operations for victims of domestic violence.
- $350,000 to provide navigation services for families and victims of violence and abuse.
- $300,000 in one-time funding to support for children who are victims of violent crimes.
What does community violence intervention look like in Austin?
ATX Peace is Austin’s primary community violence intervention – or CVI – organization. It’s a combination of nonprofits Life Anew and Jail to Jobs and the OVP.
How Austin groups are working to prevent gun violence
ATX Peace operates under the OVP and involves “trusted messengers” — people with their own experiences with violence and/or incarceration — to connect with community members in either violence-prone areas.
Last year, the OVP began working on a program meant to make sure suspects and felons, specifically related to domestic violence charges, don’t have guns.
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“Continued support that would allow us to continue to support at a greater capacity,” said Michael Salazar, a trusted messenger with ATX Peace…