The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded 35 grants under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, totaling $18 million.
The program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants to pilot innovative violence and terrorism prevention approaches, to identify prevention best practices that can be replicated in communities across the country, or to develop sustainable, multidisciplinary targeted prevention capabilities in local communities.
In this round of funding, grants were awarded to 20 organizations focused wholly or in part on youth, eight that provide services to underserved populations, and seven public health entities.
The groups addressing underserved populations include one organization serving religious minorities, one LGBTQ+ serving institution, one tribal government, two organizations serving rural communities, and three Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“In our current dynamic threat environment, any town, anywhere can be a target,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “The Department of Homeland Security’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant awards announced today will help local communities pilot, strengthen, and share evidence-based prevention strategies, significantly expanding our nation’s counterterrorism capacity and making all of us safer.”
The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships selected the awardees. The center addresses systemic factors that can lead to violence and strengthens protective factors at the local level.