Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program.

Assembly Member Sharp-Collins, joined by a bipartisan coalition of legislators, proposes establishing the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program to fund local initiatives addressing neighborhood and school violence. The California Health and Human Services Agency would administer competitive grants to support evidence-based programs, including focused gang deterrence, youth recreation activities during high-risk periods, trauma interventions for students, youth diversion services, and school-based health centers.

The program prioritizes funding for cities and jurisdictions experiencing higher rates of violence and gang activity, with emphasis on community organizations serving these areas. Applicants proposing trauma interventions must detail plans to reach traditionally underserved populations, including low-income and homeless youth, students displaying trauma symptoms, immigrant and refugee communities, those with exceptional needs, and youth involved with child protective or juvenile justice systems.

The initiative creates the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Fund, with a novel funding mechanism tied to state prison closures. Beginning July 2025, the Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst's Office will annually calculate savings from prison closures, with verified amounts transferred to the grant fund upon legislative appropriation. This establishes an ongoing funding stream while maintaining legislative oversight of appropriations.