Bill Overview
Title: Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Description: This bill establishes federal grant programs and related entities to support violence intervention initiatives. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for coordinated community violence intervention initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by homicides and community violence. HHS must also establish several related entities, including an Office of Community Violence Intervention to administer programs and activities related to violence intervention; the Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to advise and assist the office and HHS; and the National Community Violence Response Center to provide training and technical assistance, coordinate research, and develop data collection policies. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants for job training and workforce programs in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence to connect youth ages 16 to 24 to in-demand occupations.
Sponsors: Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
Target Audience
Population: People living in communities disproportionately impacted by community violence
Estimated Size: 6800000
- The bill directs grants towards communities disproportionately affected by homicides and gun violence.
- Violence tends to have a compounding effect on community wellbeing, impacting not only direct victims but also the wider community members.
- The bill targets both violence prevention and economic growth initiatives, aiming to uplift affected communities through comprehensive support.
- Community violence often affects diverse demographic groups, including ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups who are likely overrepresented in crime statistics.
- Globally, community violence is a significant issue in both urban and rural areas, potentially impacting millions of individuals.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by the policy includes communities with high rates of violence, which are often urban areas with large ethnic minority populations.
- The policy's focus on violence intervention and job training for youth aims to reduce future crime rates and improve overall community wellbeing.
- Given the policy's budget constraints, it is plausible to start with highly affected neighborhoods and gradually expand reach over time.
- Policy outcomes will vary among individuals based on their proximity to violence, personal experiences, and access to employment opportunities.
Simulated Interviews
Retail Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think these programs are desperately needed in my community. Too many young lives are lost to violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Unemployed (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the job training will help me secure a stable job. It's been tough finding work without a diploma.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Social Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to have more resources to support community safety and job opportunities for youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These grants should help reduce the violence around here. I just want my kids to grow up safely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Community Activist (Newark, NJ)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction. Funding is crucial for the sustainability of community programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Police Officer (Jackson, MS)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any effort to reduce violence is welcome, but the community needs to rally behind it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Student (St. Louis, MO)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish my community was safer. I hope these programs make a real difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Nurse (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the consequences of violence every day. These programs can save lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see investment in our community. We need jobs and a safe environment for our kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Part-time Student (Memphis, TN)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope initiatives like job training make our neighborhoods safer and more prosperous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 2: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 3: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 5: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 10: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 100: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Key Considerations
- The availability and allocation of federal funding for new initiatives may impact the success and sustainability of the programs.
- Coordination across federal, state, and local levels is essential for effective implementation.
- Community buy-in and involvement are crucial for the success of violence reduction initiatives.
- Monitoring and evaluation will be key in assessing the impact and guiding future adjustments.
- The socio-economic diversity of impacted communities means that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective.