CVI ECOSYSTEM
A city’s community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystem deploys several coordinated, community- driven strategies to reduce violence using credible messengers. The Coalition to Advance Public Safety has developed customized CVI profiles for 50 U.S. cities with high homicide rates.
Each profile includes (1) estimated number of individuals at the highest risk for community violence based on population size; (2) recommended number of CVI staff including job descriptions for each function within the ecosystem; (3) recommended annual budget to implement a comprehensive CVI ecosystem; and (4) a budget calculator. Select a city below to view their customized CVI profile.
As gun violence surges in urban communities, the root causes, risk factors, and trauma that fuel this violence continue. CVI strategies are too often left trying to solve the problem of community violence without adequate resources.
A city-led CVI ecosystem brings together local stakeholders to build a comprehensive violence reduction infrastructure that promotes equity and complements the work of law enforcement.
THE PROBLEM
A very small number of high-risk people in any community are involved in the majority of violent activity.
THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE HARD TO REACH
THE SOLUTION
BUILD AN ECOSYSTEM
The most effective way to prevent community violence is to coordinate a comprehensive, community-based strategy that links various proven public health tools—such as outreach, the violence reduction strategy, hospital-based violence intervention programs, and/or trauma-informed care—to essential supports and services.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
STREET INTERVENTION
PEACE FELLOWSHIPS
GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY
TARGETED TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION
CRISIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Deploys street outreach workers, or “credible messengers,” who mediate conflicts on the street and connect high-risk people to extensive networks of wraparound services that provide job training, employment opportunities, mental health services, and legal services to help reduce the long-term risk of violence. To learn more, visit the New York City Crisis Management System website.
STREET OUTREACH
Deploys street outreach workers, or “credible messengers,” who help mediate conflicts to prevent shootings, provide immediate crisis response, and connect high-risk people to community resources to promote long-term support and stabilization. To learn more, visit the Newark Community Street Team website.
PEACE FELLOWSHIPS
Deploys street outreach workers to intervene in violence and enroll high-risk participants in an 18-month course that includes mentoring, community support and services, peer fellowship, and modest stipends. To learn more, visit the Advance Peace website.
GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY
Uses data-driven identification of the people and groups at highest risk for gun violence; engages in direct and respectful communication to those at high risk; provides intensive services, supports, and opportunities; and, as a last resort, conducts focused enforcement—and can also incorporate elements such as life coaching and street outreach. To learn more, visit the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and National Network for Safe Communities websites.
TARGETED TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
Conducts outreach to high-risk youth and adults to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered healing through comprehensive physical, mental, and psychosocial care—at trauma recovery centers and other locations—to disrupt cycles of incarceration, poverty, and racism, and ultimately address risk factors for future violence. To learn more, visit the Roca, READI Chicago, and National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers websites.
HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION
Connects with high-risk people in the emergency department during the “teachable moment” after a shooting; conducts conflict intervention through violence intervention specialists; and offers trauma-informed, community-based resources and case management to reduce risk factors for violence. To learn more, visit the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention website.

RESOURCES

A range of resources that provide background, insight, and evidence about community violence interventions.
See All Resources
Leadership
National community violence intervention leadership includes the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, the Community-Based Public Safety Collective, and Cities United—four national organizations that have come together to support cities to develop CVI ecosystems.
[object Object] logo
[object Object] logo
[object Object] logo
Cities United logo
About Our Methodology
This formula is informed by technical experts’ experiences implementing CVI strategies in cities throughout the U.S.
All population data is extracted from the U.S Census.
‘Estimated high-risk population’ is derived by calculating roughly 0.1% of population size or reviewing reports by the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform which provide more customized estimates using local data. For specific locations, the estimated target population is a portion of the total high-risk population. The number provided may reflect the target population rather than the total high-risk population.
Projected staffing levels are calculated by determining the recommended case load for each CVI staff function relative to estimated high-risk population, with adjustments made for economies of scale for larger cities.
Projected budget for CVI staff, CVI supervision, and OVP staff are calculated based on estimated national pay averages and benefits for each staff position.
‘Staff Training and Technical Assistance’ and ‘Data and Evaluation Support’ are calculated at 25% and 15% of total staffing costs respectively.
Project budget for CVI Wraparound services reflect the housing, employment, health, and social services tied directly to estimated high risk population and their families. Wraparound services do not include criminal justice and law enforcement expenses.
The Coalition for Public Safety seeks to refine and enrich our methodology as more data becomes available. CAPS welcomes feedback from partners who seek to improve our modeling.
For more information, please contact our national technical assistance experts.