The office of public health and safety, city of indianapolis proposes to implement the BJA FY24 byrne discretionary grants program, opportunity number: O-BJA-2024-172101

This federal Project Grant award of $963,000.00 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.753 Congressionally Recommended Awards) will support the City of Indianapolis' implementation of the BJA FY24 Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. The funding will allow the city to hire 7 additional "Peacemakers" in partnership with the Indy Public Safety Foundation and the Indy Peace Fellowship. The project aims to expand the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform's gun violence reduction strategy, with expected outcomes including increased retaliatory violence intervention and prevention activities, reduced gun violence, and reduced homicides and non-fatal shootings. The primary intended beneficiaries are African American men between 18-35 years old, their families, and communities most affected by gun violence in Indianapolis. Sub-recipient activities will include the provision of direct individual support such as life coaching, resume building, housing and food resources, and cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered by Peacemakers with relevant lived experiences.

The purpose is to hire 7 additional peacemakers in partnership with the indy public safety foundation and the indy peace fellowship in the indianapolis/marion county service area. Project activities include funding an expansion of the national institute for criminal justice reform's gun violence reduction strategy through the indy public safety foundation. Expected outcomes include increased retaliatory violence intervention and prevention activities, reduced gun violence, and reduced number homicides and non-fatal shootings. Citizens of indianapolis most affected by gun violence, primarily african american men between the ages of 18 and 35 years, their families, and communities are the intended beneficiaries of the project. Subrecipient activities include the provision of direct individual support delivered by peacemakers impacted by the criminal justice system, who live in and/or know the neighborhoods, and are perceived as credible messengers to individuals identified as high risk. Direct individual support includes life coaching, resume building, housing and food resources, and cognitive behavioral therapy.