The Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention (OVIP) manages and oversees the Department’s community violence intervention and prevention work and funding opportunities for Community-Based Violence Intervention programs (CBVI), Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), Trauma Recovery Centers (TRC), and other similar programs. OVIP develops the systems, structures, and resources that will sustain DLPS’s public health approach to public safety. OVIP coordinates with community-based violence intervention organizations and with law enforcement throughout the state in developing and recommending new community-based initiatives, setting policy, and advising system partners and other local entities on how to incorporate violence intervention strategies into their work. These combined efforts will shape the development of new and local ecosystems of safety and prevention in communities across New Jersey.

Community-Based Violence Intervention

The New Jersey Community-Based Violence and Intervention program supports non-profit community service providers in the development and implementation of violence intervention and prevention programming for communities impacted by community violence with a focus on gun violence. Combining both an understanding of risk factors for exposure to violence and the implementation of protective activities, community-based violence intervention and prevention approaches support individuals impacted by violence in order to promote healing and provide opportunities that will ultimately break the cycle of violence and trauma. The CBVI program’s funded activities include, but are not limited to, the deployment of community High Risk Interventionists who are trained to resolve community conflicts that may lead to violence; mentoring; street outreach; casework; mental health services; credible messengers; afterschool programs; job training; trauma-support services; recreational programming; and targeted vocational training.

Hospital-based Violence Intervention

New Jersey’s Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (NJHVIP) connect victims of community violence to services beginning at the hospital bedside, providing comprehensive support to reduce the risk of retaliation or revictimization. NJHVIP’s teams of medical and community service providers come together in the immediate aftermath of a violent incident to ensure that victims leave the hospital engaged in services and with the support needed to continue on a healing path. A partnership with at least one community-based organization is a core component of the NJHVIP model.

Trauma Recovery Centers

Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) program sites provide comprehensive mental health and support services to assist crime victims in vulnerable, underserved populations that have historically been difficult to reach. New Jersey’s TRCs provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to underserved communities in which therapeutic approaches are often stigmatized. They offer a range of mental health services, holistic healing, support groups, casework support, and linkage to community resources.