The state of maine is proposing to utilize FY 2022 2023 byrne state crisis intervention funding to advance five priority areas

The proper execution of these five priority areas will provide maine with a crisis intervention strategic plan, improved infrastructure, improved current gun violence reduction activities, and an ability to maximum future funding opportunities to reduce gun violence. This will benefit state government, local governments, and most importantly the safety of the citizens of maine. The priority of developing a crisis intervention strategic plan is intended to produce a road map of how to best reduce gun violence and suicide, while maximizing valuable funding opportunities. This will be accomplished through engaging with a research partner for the four-year life of the project. The selected vendor will work with the crisis intervention advisory board to determine trends, needs, and base level data. The research partner will also engage with all stakeholders on an ongoing basis for the life of the contract. This includes, but is not limited to, state court administrators, crisis response subject matter experts, behavioral health specialist, and law enforcement agencies. The research partner will also assist in meeting the evaluation and data collection requirements including the effectiveness of the programs and the measures taken to safeguard the constitutional rights of an individual subject to a crisis intervention program. The priority of enhancing communication, education, and public awareness for current gun violence reduction activities through efforts such as webinars, public service announcements, and community outreach is intended to advance programs like safe homes by informing citizens and local governments of the program. The priority of enhancing law enforcement efforts to effectively and efficiently store weapons that are relinquished to law enforcement and provide gun locks and gun storage for individuals and businesses by distributing byrne scip funding using competitive grant process is intended to improve the infrastructure that supports crisis intervention initiatives. The priority of enhancing local law enforcement efforts by distributing byrne scip funding to ineligible units of local governments using non-competitive grant funding based on the bureau of justice assistance allocations is intended to meet the requirement for those units of local government that are ineligible for a direct award. The priority of grant administration is to ensure that maine meets all obligations and requirements for the byrne state crisis intervention program.