LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to advance public health solutions to community violence. This funding will specifically advance community violence intervention strategies to enhance community safety in Michigan.
The MDHHS says in their press release, “Community violence, which includes homicide and non-fatal shootings, causes substantial harm and trauma to communities across Michigan, especially in racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods. Community violence continues to be a significant and growing public health problem. People who live in communities experiencing violence are at a higher risk for developing chronic diseases and may have limited opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors, such as using recreational spaces and accessing healthy food outlets.”
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The grant is intended to provide direct community services. This opportunity is open to nonprofits, private, public, federally recognized tribes and universities, Indian Health Services, Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations. Fiduciaries may also apply on behalf of these entities.
A total of $7 million is available in this proposal, with a maximum award of $1 million total for the two-year project Jan. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025. Successful applications may be awarded continuing funding based upon funding availability and performance.
Funding is being made possible investments for Community Violence Intervention Programs included in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 budgets signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Grant applications must be submitted electronically by 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23. The full press release and more information can be found here.
In the recently released Crime Report with statistics for 2022 from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, they report 685 murders/non-negligent manslaughters in the state; 6,196 rapes; 3,658 robberies and 39,910 aggravated assaults, statistics that trended down slightly from 2021.
It was not specified in the press release from MDHHS if there will be any metrics or tracking involved to document the success of any of these proposals.
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