Request for Committee Action

2022-01012 - Request for Proposals for Group Violence Intervention (GVI) support and outreach services

The Neighborhood Safety Department (formerly Office of Violence Prevention under the Health Department) has been leading implementation of the Group Violence Intervention Strategy since 2017. GVI is one component of the Neighborhood Safety Department’s continuum of public health-oriented violence prevention and intervention services intended to reduce the impact of violence on communities. GVI is an evidence-informed strategy for addressing homicide and gun violence associated with street groups or gangs that has been implemented and evaluated around the world. The City’s iteration of the GVI strategy brings together community, social services, and law enforcement. Together, the partners help people who are involved with group violence to understand the moral and legal consequences of continued engagement in violence. At the same time, as a critical part of the strategy, GVI support and outreach providers work with people who are involved with group violence to:

• Help keep them safe, alive, and free

• Address trauma

• Provide meaningful resources that can support an offramp away from cycles of violence

In recent years, referrals for GVI services have increased. With that, investment from City leadership in the GVI strategy has continued, including investment in the development of a new youth-focused GVI approach. In December 2022, the Neighborhood Safety Department undertook a competitive solicitation process and issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to meet the need to continue to implement and expand GVI services. The RFP was used to identify consultants qualified to provide GVI support and outreach services as part of both the new youth-focused GVI and traditional GVI strategies.

Through the competitive RFP process, the Neighborhood Safety Department has initially identified the following contractors with whom to pursue contracts from March 15, 2023 through December 31, 2024. Collectively, the work of these consultants would comprise a network of providers for a coordinated approach in addressing adult and youth group violence. The contractors are:

• Cause and Effect – Youth and adult outreach and services to both North and South Minneapolis in the note to exceed amount of $150,000

• One Family, One Community - Adult outreach and services, specifically in North Minneapolis neighborhoods in the not to exceed amount of $163,333

• Urban Youth Conservation - Adult outreach and services, specifically in North Minneapolis neighborhoods in the not to exceed amount of $350,000

• W Berry Consulting - Adult outreach and services, specifically in North Minneapolis neighborhood in the not to exceed amount of $268,333