The roca boston community violence response project (cvrp) will expand violence intervention services to young people, specifically those most likely to shoot or be shot, including nonfatal shooting…

This $1,999,890 federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.045 Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative) will enable Roca Inc., a non-profit community development corporation in Chelsea, MA, to expand violence intervention services for high-risk young people aged 15-24. Key activities include community-driven violence analysis and intervention planning, replication of data-driven engagement tools, and expanded cognitive behavioral therapy and case management. The project aims to serve 225 youths annually, with expected outcomes of 80% demonstrating improved behavioral health, reduced violent behaviors, and securing unsubsidized employment. A third-party evaluation will be conducted. This grant supports Roca's long-standing efforts to disrupt cycles of poverty and incarceration through trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions in high-crime communities.

The roca boston community violence response project (cvrp) will expand violence intervention services to young people, specifically those most likely to shoot or be shot, including nonfatal shooting victims or witnesses known to be engaged in violence in thecommunity. The project will serve 225 highest-risk young people each year of the grant (100 young men aged 1824, 50 younger teens aged 1517, and 75 young women aged 1624.) roca will deliver its internationally recognized, long-term behavioral health model, anchored in its cognitive behavioral theory-based approach to youth work, to help these young people create long-term behavior change and stop engaging in violence. Key activities include: (1) community-driven data analysis and violence intervention planning, (2) the replication/application of key data driven tools to more effectively engage those young people who are driving violence, and (3) expanded cognitive behavioral intervention services for young people at highest risk for being a victim or perpetrator of violence. Young people served by cvrp will demonstrate the following outcomes: 80 percent will demonstrate improved behavioral health and emotional regulation, 80 percent of those engaged 1824 months will demonstrate a reduction in violent behaviors and/or criminal thinking, 80 percent will have no new incarcerations for new charges, and 80 percent will secure and retain unsubsidized employment. A rigorous, independent, third-party evaluation of the project will be conducted using separate funding.