The Trump Administration’s Cuts to Community Violence Intervention Initiatives

A Message From the Desk of Fatimah Loren Dreier

To our beloved HAVI network:

For the thousands of us dedicated to hospital-based violence intervention (HVIP) work, there are often moments that stand out for their magnitude and impact on the communities we serve. Last week was one of those times—with organization after organization receiving grant termination notices from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). While we knew this was a possibility, the scope of the DOJ cuts for community violence intervention programs have put more than $150 million in federal grants at stake. This cruel and shortsighted move has impacted over 65 organizations and threatens public safety efforts in almost 50 cities across the country. Let’s be clear: this decision was not based on sound policy. We know this decision will have repercussions across communities large and small, rural and urban, in blue and red districts alike. Read more.