City of Merced awarded $977,647 CalVIP Grant
To Support a violence intervention program for youth

City of Merced awarded $977,647 in grant funding by the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for a Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Program. 

Merced selected as one of five cities in the state to create a prevention and early intervention pilot program for youth. 

Merced, Calif – In partnership with Merced County Probation, the City of Merced will complement the Pathways to Success program - a multi-agency approach to working with youth and their families experiencing violence through the CalVIP grant. The three-year pilot program will offer wrap-around reentry care and support as a prevention hub where services will be provided to at-risk and probation-involved youth and their families. 

Through this grant, the City of Merced will establish the Office of Neighborhood Safety, a division of the City Manager's Office, which will support the program. Four Peer Support Specialists will mentor a dedicated caseload of youth by offering direct links to resources, systems navigation, tutoring, job training, and family strengthening resources to build a positive community network as an alternative to violence. 

"We must continue to focus on the needs of our youth and building a community free of violence," said Merced City Council Member Jesse Ornelas. "This funding will expand much-needed supportive services that will aid in the healing and recovery of youth within our community. The special component is that youth who have walked through the trauma of community violence will participate," concluded Ornelas. 

“The City’s Peer Support Specialists will be a nice compliment to the Pathways to Success Program,” stated Kalisa Rochester, chief probation officer, Merced County Probation Department. I am encouraged by the growing collaborative effort, and I am excited to get this three-year pilot program underway.”

The Pathways to Success Program is designed to offer a personalized and supportive landing for youth reentering the community through case management that focuses on wrap-around services. All services will be provided at the Stephen Leonard Community Center in South Merced and will include:  

- Social and Emotional Learning Skills – Activities designed to promote competency skills that create resilient relationships with family, friends, and community.

- Prevention and Intervention Resources– Supportive services, located at physically and emotionally safe community-based family resource centers, to encourage productive family involvement and to support a successful rehabilitation program.

- Financial Allowances – Peer Support Specialists will consider existing financial barriers and, based on need, will set up a monetary allowance for housing, transportation, food, and clothing assistance.

- Through evaluations, programming will consist of family therapy, mentoring, and skill-building resources.

- Evidence-Based Programming – Skill-building and family therapy programs designed to mentor and positively change a youth's behavior. 

"We thank BSCC for supporting communities like Merced that are disproportionately impacted by violence," said Merced City Manager Stephanie Dietz. "This City Council is invested in supporting youth through programs that provide vital evidence-based resources.” 

Partnering with Pathways to Success will create and ensure collaboration between partner agencies through developing individualized rehabilitation plans that productively support youth within our community," concluded Dietz. 

For more information about the City of Merced, visit www.cityofmerced.org.