Columbus Authorizes $249,012 Youth Violence Prevention Contract With National Institute
The contract authorizes the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth violence prevention and life coaching as the city cites human resource limits.
The Council of the City of Columbus authorized the contract, allocating $249,012.38 from the general fund for the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth violence prevention efforts.
Columbus City Hall and Portman Plaza at 90 W. Broad Street in downtown Columbus.
Credit: General Ization / Wikimedia Commons Image source
Following City Council's consent agenda approval on Monday, Oct. 26, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther signed the legislation on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and the Columbus City Clerk formally attested the ordinance on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Under emergency terms, the ordinance was enacted to take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the mayor. The contract compliance period for the institute runs through June 30, 2027.
Previously, Pique Media reported that City Council was considering the agreement on Oct. 23. The city does not currently have the human resource capacity to perform the services contemplated by the not-for-profit service contract.
Administered by the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, the contract directs the institute to conduct a localized gun problem analysis, facilitate discovery meetings and workshops, and assist with violence reduction strategic planning. The agreement also tasks the institute with developing a communications and public relations strategy to establish a clear brand for the office.
The work plan includes developing a youth gun violence reduction strategy with an emphasis on life coaching. In an earlier assessment of local services, national network director Shantay Jackson noted that Columbus programs are directed to people facing the highest risk of gun violence.
Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak said her office has been working with the institute since February 2024 to understand the local intervention landscape, according to reporting by WSYX. According to the analysis, major challenges facing local intervention organizations include a lack of collaboration and coordination among violence reduction programs and services.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (8)
The Council of the City of Columbus authorized the contract, allocating $249,012.38 from the general fund for the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth violence prevention efforts.
Read supporting passage
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention is hereby authorized to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR).
The Council of the City of Columbus authorized the contract, allocating $249,012.38 from the general fund for the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate youth violence prevention efforts.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate efforts to reduce gun violence and violence prevention amongst youth in the community; to authorize the expenditure of $249,012.38 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($249,012.38)
Under emergency terms, the ordinance was enacted to take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the mayor.
Read supporting passage
SECTION 7. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
The contract compliance period for the institute runs through June 30, 2027.
Read supporting passage
Contract Compliance Expiration Date - June 30, 2027
The city does not currently have the human resource capacity to perform the services contemplated by the not-for-profit service contract.
Read supporting passage
The City does not currently have the human resource capacity to perform the services contemplated by this not-for-profit service contract.
Administered by the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, the contract directs the institute to conduct a localized gun problem analysis, facilitate discovery meetings and workshops, and assist with violence reduction strategic planning.
Read supporting passage
NICJR’s work will include development of gun violence reduction strategy with emphasis on life coaching, a gun problem analysis, discovery meetings, violence reduction strategic planning, workshops, and communication strategies.
The agreement also tasks the institute with developing a communications and public relations strategy to establish a clear brand for the office.
Read supporting passage
WHEREAS, professional assistance is needed to support the Office of Violence Prevention in developing a clear, compelling brand and cohesive communications and public relations strategy; and
The work plan includes developing a youth gun violence reduction strategy with an emphasis on life coaching.
Read supporting passage
WHEREAS, research support is needed to develop a gun problem analysis, and gun violence reduction strategy including an emphasis on life coaching; and
Columbus Council Weighs $249,000 Youth Violence Prevention Contract
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported that City Council was considering the agreement on Oct. 23.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Council Weighs $249,000 Youth Violence Prevention Contract
Supporting evidence (3)
In an earlier assessment of local services, national network director Shantay Jackson noted that Columbus programs are directed to people facing the highest risk of gun violence.
Read supporting passage
Shantay Jackson, theDirector of theNational Offices of Violence Prevention Network, said through the analysis shesaw many successes and some challenges the city of Columbus and the CVIorganizations face."You have a fairly diverse population of programs that are offered to folks who are at the highest risk of gun violence,"Jackson said.
Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak said her office has been working with the institute since February 2024 to understand the local intervention landscape, according to reporting by WSYX.
Read supporting passage
Director of the Office of Violence Prevention Rena Shak said her office has been working with the institute since February 2024 to understand the current community violence intervention landscape and to help the office learn which community group is providing what in Columbus.
According to the analysis, major challenges facing local intervention organizations include a lack of collaboration and coordination among violence reduction programs and services.
Read supporting passage
According to the analysis, the major challenges faced by Columbus CIV organization include:Lack of collaboration and coordination among violent reduction programs and services