FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com, 917-935-7311
Gun Violence Prevention Experts Celebrate Inclusion of Community Violence Intervention Funding in Build Back Better Framework
Funding will reduce gun violence in communities across the country
WASHINGTON — The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence praised the inclusion of $5 billion in funding for community violence intervention in the President’s Build Back Better Act framework released today.
Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence Director of Outreach and Equity Lauren Footman issued the following statement:
“We are encouraged to see the inclusion of $5 billion for community violence intervention in the Build Back Better framework announced today. Community violence intervention is a proven policy that will reduce gun violence across the country.
“These programs are already creating change on the grassroots level to increase community safety and are proven methods using the public health approach to reduce gun violence. Community-based violence intervention and prevention programs bring together community members, social service providers and, in some cases, law enforcement to identify and provide support for individuals at the highest risk for gun violence. This historic infusion of funding would help save lives.
“The inclusion of this funding is the result of the strong advocacy and leadership of Black and Brown gun violence prevention leaders and coalitions including the Invest in Us Coalition, which works on behalf of people who live with the effects of gun violence in their communities. We will be closely watching the funding for community violence intervention as the framework is moved forward through the legislative process.”
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About the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (EFSGV) develops and advocates for evidence-based solutions to reduce gun injury and death in all its forms. EFSGV uses a public health and equity lens to identify and implement evidence-based policy solutions and programs to reduce gun violence in all its forms and to make gun violence rare and abnormal. EFSGV is the gun violence prevention movement’s premier research intermediary and founder of the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, a group of academics and practitioners who collaborate to develop innovative recommendations for policymakers.
