RPSA Key Program Highlights
- $250 Million in ARPA committed
- $219 Million in total funding committed through June 30th, 2024
- $149 Million in Fiscal Year (FY) 24 Awards (FY23 $64.4 Million, FY22 $5.6 Million)
- Geographic Funding Breakdown:
- 82% for Cook County
- 71% for City of Chicago only
- 18% for Greater Illinois
- As of December 31st, 2023 all shooting victimizations were down 16.1% year-to-date in Chicago
- Roughly 73% of Illinois funded communities had experienced declines or had no increases in total firearm victimizations between January and December 2023 when compared to 2022. Of the 10 community areas with the most firearm victimizations during this time period in 2022, 80% have seen declines in 2023.
RPSA Impact
RPSA Building Infrastructure for Violence Prevention Services
- 26 Community Areas experienced CVI expansion
- 170 grantees funded with 62 first-time Sate Awardees
- 18 Community Conveners established in Chicago and 8 Violence Prevention Coordinating Councils established in Greater Illinois connecting resources in communities for violence prevention and intervention
- 300+ Street outreach workers hired and trained
- 500+ Peacekeepers hired and trained
- 9,750+ Unique individuals served
- 4500+ Received wrap around case management services
- 2,684 Youth served in FY23
Innovative Programming
Peacekeepers (FLIP 2.0)
The Peacekeepers program based on the FLIP (Flat Lining Violence Inspires Peace) initiative effectively enhances safety in Chicago's most impacted blocks during afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Young residents from high-risk neighborhoods receive training and a daily stipend to mediate and de-escalate conflicts within their own communities. By leveraging their relationships and training, Peacekeepers intervene before violence occurs, reaching areas and conflicts that street outreach teams may not have the capacity to address.
Back to our Future
The Back to Our Future (B2OF) program aims to reach over 1,000 disconnected youth and reconnect them with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) or education completion opportunities. This 9 - 12 month program offers a safe environment, a support system, economic opportunities, and a smooth transition back into an educational setting.
B2OF provides support to the following groups:
- Disconnected youth aged 14 - 20 years old
- Youth who have been disengaged from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for *18+ months or have a history of chronic absenteeism (*individual circumstances may vary)
- Youth who have been involved in the Juvenile Justice System
- Youth who have been affected by community violence
The Department of Juvenile Justice Pilot
The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) pilot project aims to have street outreach workers visit DJJ facilities to engage with youth prior to returning to the community in areas covered by the participating partners.
Mental Health Crisis Response to Community Violence Project
The Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) and the Division of Mental Health (DMH) have joined forces to create safer and more supportive communities with high rates of gun violence. With the help of the violence prevention provider on-site, the Convener is informed about all incidents of mass shootings and gathers the necessary assessment details. If required, the Mental Health 590 Crisis Response Team is activated to provide additional support. Available 24/7, the MH 590 Crisis Response Team will arrive within 72 hours to offer mental health assistance and victim advocacy services. Victims in need of long-term support are connected with an agency or provider ho can immediately meet their needs.
Going forward, DMH in partnership with the IDHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) will use the SAMHSA funding made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) to create an integrated and consistent approach to working with communities across Illinois in response to mass shootings (shootings of four or more individuals in a single event). This response aims to support survivors, victims, and victims' families at the point and shock of the crisis as well as in the aftermath.
