Mercer Times

Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin have announced the allocation of up to $14.5 million in grant funding to 27 organizations under New Jersey's Community-Based Violence Intervention (CBVI) Program. The funding, sourced from the state's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and federal American Rescue Plan funds, aims to bolster efforts to reduce community violence across New Jersey.

The CBVI Program was established in 2021 as part of Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget. It is a key component of the state’s public safety strategy, focusing on a public health approach to violence prevention by supporting community-based organizations. "I am thrilled to see the Community-Based Violence Intervention Program enter its fourth year providing lifesaving services in communities across New Jersey," said Governor Murphy.

Attorney General Platkin emphasized the importance of these programs: “Since I took office, I’ve made it a priority to use all available tools and innovations to combat gun violence." He added that the support from Governor Murphy has positioned New Jersey as a leader in prevention.

The CBVI program focuses on reducing shootings, homicides, and other violent acts through community engagement and various services such as street outreach, counseling, trauma recovery services, mentoring, career development, cognitive behavioral interventions, case management, afterschool programming, and referrals. The program targets school-age children at risk for violence and older youth aged 16-24, as well as adults at high risk for violence or victimization.

In 2024 alone, CBVI providers responded to 365 violent incidents using de-escalation techniques and held over 500 violence prevention events reaching nearly 16,000 community members. Strategic partnerships with schools have also been instrumental in maintaining safe environments for students.

Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of VIVA—the Division overseeing CBVI—highlighted the importance of investing in organizations with deep roots in their communities: “With each year we strengthen and expand our public safety infrastructure."

The maximum grant award for tertiary services remains $750,000 while primary or secondary prevention service providers can receive up to $500,000. The FY2025 cycle will support CBVI programs across 13 counties most impacted by shooting incidents.

CBVI operates under the guidance of VIVA within the Department of Law and Public Safety. VIVA supports victim assistance and violence intervention services statewide.