9 NJ hospitals awarded violence intervention program grants.

Byline: Anthony Vecchione

Gov. Phil Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords announced the winners of grants to establish hospital-based violence intervention initiatives across the state through the largest Victims of Crime Act(VOCA) funding ever awarded in the nation for such programs.

The trio was joined for the announcement by community leaders and grant recipients at the Mary Bethune Center in Jersey City on Wednesday. New Jersey is one of the first states to use VOCA funds to implement the programs, which are designed to enhance services to victims and break cycles of violence in hard-hit communities.The state's nine programs will launch with $20 million in federal VOCA backing.

"The funding awarded today further reinforces our administration's commitment to reducing gun violence in New Jersey by enhancing the tools at the disposal of public health facilities and victim service providers," said Murphy. "With the implementation of hospital-based violence intervention programs, our state is better equipped to support victims and offer best practices to the community organizations working to prevent additional violence from occurring."

"This is an exciting day for New Jersey and a big victory for all of the organizations and individuals who work tirelessly each day to serve victims and prevent violence," said Grewal. "The violence intervention programs receiving millions of dollars unite hospitals and community organizations all across the state to help break cycles of victimization and violence.

"As New Jersey's Chief Law Enforcement Officer, I am proud to work with these groups to holistically tackle the ongoing gun violence epidemic and better serve our communities, not just today but every day," he added.

A primary goal of the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (NJHVIP) is to link hospitals and other medical facilities with community-based organizations that are already working to assist victims and reduce violence.

"The resilience of Jersey City in the wake of the recent attack embodies the strength of New Jersey," said Giffords. "The state has always met tragedy with action, and never stopped pushing forward in addressing the gun violence crisis.

"Today, leadership stepped up yet again," she continued. "Providing communities the resources to fight this epidemic is a necessary leap in the right direction. I'm proud to stand with Gov. Murphy and Attorney General Grewal to...