YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
LINKS FOR:
GENERAL INFORMATION: In 2001, the responsibility for the county's programs for youth violence prevention, formerly administered by the Commission for Children, Youth and Families, was transferred to this division by the County Council. The Council dedicated 1/4 of the 1 percent Criminal Justice Sales and Use tax collected in unincorporated Pierce County for this purpose. Approximately $1.3 million is generated annually to fund activities that prevent, eliminate or reduce violence to, by, or among children, youth and their families in unincorporated Pierce County. Activities may be designed either to prevent violence or to intervene in the lives of those who have shown a propensity or potential for violence. The 2010 application process is open.
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The Allocation Advisory Committee composed of up to 15 members who reside in unincorporated Pierce County, review applications for funding, hear testimony from applicants, and recommend to the County Executive and County Council activities to be funded in the next fiscal year. The committee regularly meets at 6 PM each month between January and June, at the offices of Community Development, 3602 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma 98418. Additional meetings may be required during the allocation process.
Click for a copy of the revised 2009 Calendar.
Click here for a Membership Application, if you live in unincorporated Pierce County and would like to serve on this committee. back to the top
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ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES: While a wide variety of activities will be considered, the Council's authorizing Ordinance established the following requirements for projects to be funded under this program these requirements apply only to activities funded in whole or in part with county funding. They do not apply to other aspects of any activity entirely funded from other sources.
- Activities must serve unincorporated areas, and the residents of those areas. The taxes supporting this program are collected only in the unincorporated areas. While cities and towns collect the tax also, they do not provide any funds in support of this program. Accordingly, it would be unfair to the residents of unincorporated areas to utilize their tax revenues to assist children, youth and families residing in cities and towns, even when those cities and towns are located within Pierce County. Click here for a map from the Pierce County Auditor's website, and select the map layer 'cities/towns', to determine service area boundaries. You can locate a specific address and then determinine if it is within a city or town under 'Special Topics' Am I within a city?'
- Activities must be sustainable, that is they must create a long-term reduction, elimination or prevention of actual or potential violence, not just a transitory condition that will end after their participation in the activity is finished.
- Activities must focus, to the greatest extent possible on children and youth. While family participation is important, activities targeting children and youth should have the greatest emphasis.
- Activities must be demonstrable, that is they must have clear and concise goals, objectives and outcomes.
- If possible, activities identified as 'best practices' should be funded. It is important for the long-term benefit of the community that activities funded have the greatest opportunity for success. Accordingly, activities identified in this, or other jurisdictions as a best practice are to be encouraged.
- Finally, activities must be completed in one year. County funds are provided for only one year and must be fully expended by December 31st of that year. Therefore all work funded entirely with county funds must be complete in that year. While the activity may be considered on-going as a result of other funding, or the expectation of additional county funding, there is no guarantee that the county will continue to fund any activity beyond one year. back to the top
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COUNTY OF PROMISE: In July, 2003 the County Council adopted a Resolution naming Pierce County as a 'County of Promise'. To fulfill this commitment to the children and youth, each application must address at least one of the five promises.
- Ongoing relationships with caring adults.
- Safe places with structured activities during non-school hours.
- A healthy start for a healthy future.
- Marketable skills through effective education.
- Opportunities to give back through community service. back to the top
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APPLICATION PROCESS: The applicaton process is now closed for funding year 2010. Refer back to this website the first month of 2010 to view the 2011 application process.
Click on 2010 Violence Prevention Application to view the 2010 agency application which was due back to Community Services by 4:00 pm, March 6, 2009. For application instructions and past workshop dates and times, click on Instructions.
Click on 2010 Youth Driven Violence Prevention Application to view the youth driven application that was for the special category of activities, separate and distinct from the other application in that these projects are sponsored and implemented dfirectly by youth groups. This was also due back to Community Services by 4:00 pm, March 6, 2009. Timeline: Once an application is determined eligible, the applicant will receive notification of their presentation date and time before the Allocation Advisory Committee. Committee recommendations will be completed and submitted to the County Executive and County Council by July 1. Recommendations are incorporated in the County Budget which is approved by the County Council and Executive at year end.
After approval, staff will prepare contracts for approved activities that are to start after January 1 and may continue until December 31 of that same year.
A special aspect of this program is the opportunity for youth groups to apply for small grants up to $2,500.
2010 applications for regular grants may be submitted by cities, towns, non-profit social service agencies, or others, any of whom are qualified to implement activities of this sort. back to the top
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CURRENT APPROVED 2009 ACTIVITIES
Click on 2009 Violence Prevention Activities for a list of violence prevention and intervention activities funded in 2009.
Funding Recommendations for FY 2010 Activities
Click on 2010 Funding Recommendations for a list of violence prevention activities that have been recommended for funding for FY 2010 by the Allocation Advisory Committee. These recommendations will not be finalized until fall 2009.
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