CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — On Tuesday night, the Champaign City Council is set to vote on a resolution to approve a new funding round and initiate a new phase in the Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint.
The resolution seeks to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Acclivus, Inc., a Chicago-based organization, to provide street outreach and intervention services as part of the blueprint. This contract would span one year, with Acclivus receiving slightly over $450,000.
The Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint, approved in 2022, has been effective in reducing the number of shootings in Champaign from previously recorded high levels.
The blueprint was originally funded by $3 million provided by the American Rescue Plan Act but is now funded by the City of Champaign’s budget. After hearing an update on the blueprint’s implementation in January, the city council decided to continue subrecipient agreements with blueprint partners and the development of other initiatives. Discussion on that topic continued in May.
In an explanation of the resolution, City Manager Joan Wall said one of those initiatives is to provide street outreach services, which would include reaching out to individuals at risk of joining a life of crime. The concept has been in the works since the blueprint was approved, but no local providers were found.
When the search for a suitable provider was expanded to Chicago, city staff found Acclivus, a grassroots organization in operation since 2018.
“Acclivus’s mission is to support community health and well-being for Chicago area populations at risk for violence and other negative health outcomes. Acclivus utilizes trauma-informed care, public health principles and evidence-based strategies across social networks to serve the most vulnerable populations in Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois,” Wall wrote. “Direct services provided by Acclivus focus on violence prevention, intervention, and reduction. Acclivus has considerable experience both implementing programs directly and supporting local initiatives to grow and develop at the hands of local leaders.”
If the city council approves the agreement with Acclivus, the organization would begin working in Champaign within four weeks, reviewing community violence data and meeting with Champaign Police, blueprint partners and stakeholders to coordinate integration into the blueprint.
Acclivus would also find a location in Champaign to act as a local headquarters and call center to be staffed 24/7. The program would consist of at least five violence prevention personnel and three administrative personnel.
