Gang Prevention and Intervention

Overview

The Prevention and Student Service(s) section has administered the Gang Prevention and Intervention Program (GPIP) grant through a competitive application process, which was made available to LEAs on a three-year grant funding cycle, beginning with Fiscal Year 2021. Subject to legislative appropriations, the Utah State Board distributed money for a Gang Prevention and Intervention Program designed to help students at risk for gang involvement stay in school. This grant program will expire June 30, 2023 as a result of the passage of House Bill (H.B.) 304 Juvenile Justice Revisions. (2023)


This grant was used for specifically designed projects and activities to help at-risk students stay in school and enhance their cultural and social competence, self-management skills, citizenship, preparation for life skills, academic achievement, literacy, and interpersonal relationship skills required for school completion and full participation in society.

H.B. 304 Juvenile Justice Revisions repealed and reenacted Utah State Statute Title 53F-2-410 and the program was renamed to Juvenile Gang and other Violent Crime Prevention and Intervention Program.   The changes require USBE to establish a distribution formula for the grant program and prioritize schools in school districts and charter schools based on the prevalence of crimes committed by minors within the boundaries of each municipality where a school is located. These changes will be enacted on May 3, 2023.  The new Juvenile Gang and Violent Crime Prevention and Intervention Program (Juvenile Gang Program) will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2024 (2023-2024 School Year).

Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rule R277-436 Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs in the Schools

YouTube Webinars

GPIP Coordinator Legislative Updates March 24, 2023 YouTube

GPIP Coordinator Meeting February 8, 2023 YouTube

GPIP Coordinator Meeting January 21, 2022 YouTube

Contact Us

Cuong Nguyen
Prevention Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7790 |  E-mail

Tina Morandy
Support Staff
Phone: (801) 538-7526 |  E-mail

Laws and Policies

During the 2024 General Legislative Session, HB 362 Juvenile Justice Revisions (2024) updated Utah Code Section Title 53F-2-410 Juvenile Gang and Other Violent Crime Prevention and Intervention Program funding (hereafter referred to as Juvenile Gang Prevention Grant) to incorporate changes to the statute. The statute now requires LEA that is seeking this funding to submit a proposal that (i) describes how the school district or charter school intends to use the funds and (ii) provides data related to the prevalence of crimes committed by minors within the school district in order to receive the funding. In addition, LEA must collaborate with local law enforcement and community prevention to address juvenile gang and other violent crimes. Accordingly, the Utah State Board of Education’s (USBE) has updated and approved Administrative Rule R277-436: Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs in the Schools during the June 6, 2024, State Board meeting.

Resources

Local Education Agencies (LEAs)

Salt Lake Area Metro Gang Unit
Salt Lake Area Gang Project Handouts

Choose Gang Free

Gang Prevention Program Making a Positive Impact
Granite School District

Technical Assistance Request Form
National Gang Center

Best Practices To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model (Second Edition)
Model Programs Guide
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Parents/Guardians

Parent Guide to Gangs
Parent Guide to Gangs (Spanish)
Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention

Salt Lake Area Gang Project Handouts

Parent Flier
Choose Gang Free

Students

For Youth,  Call a Choose Gang Free Advocate at 385-468-9773
Choose Gang Free

Why Youth Join Gangs? Risk Factors
Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
National Gang Center

Grants

Juvenile Gang Prevention Grant

The 2024 General Legislative Session updated Utah Code Section Title 53F-2-410 Juvenile Gang and Other Violent Crime Prevention and Intervention Grant funding (hereafter referred to as Juvenile Gang Prevention) to incorporate changes to the statute. The statute now requires the use of data in awarding the funds, as well as collaboration with local law enforcement and community prevention to address juvenile gang and other violent crime. Accordingly, the Utah State Board of Education’s (USBE) has approved Administrative Rule R277-436: Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs in the Schools. This grant notification and grant application is to meet the statutory requirements. The Prevention and Student Services Team has been assigned to manage this grant.

Requirements and Qualifications

  1. The competitive grant is open for all LEAs, charters, and public schools, across the state.
  2. The application shall include the following elements as stated in the Board rule:
    1. identify the targeted student population and demonstrate how the prevention and intervention strategies will benefit these students using state agencies and local data;
    2. explain what strategies and how activities planned for the prevention and intervention to address identified issues;
    3. demonstrate collaboration between the LEA (Local Education Agency) and local law enforcement agencies and community prevention; and,
    4. explain how an LEA plans to use the funds.
  3. Priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate according to the following criteria:
    1. demonstrates collaborative efforts with local law enforcement agencies and community prevention providers;
    2. uses state agency data as defined in Subsections 53F-2-410 (4)(a)(i) and 53F-2-410(3)(a)(i) that demonstrate multiple risk factors for gang involvement;
    3. defines how the LEA will implement activities funded by the grant to increase protective factors for students at risk of gang involvement; and
    4. use data to evaluate that the activities implemented are successful and that gang involvement is reduced from previous years.

Instructions

Webinar

LEAs who are interested in applying for the FY25 Juvenile Gang Prevention Grant can view the recorded webinar below. Additional information is provided about the grant requirements, grant application platform, and process. 

FY25 Juvenile Gang Grant Webinar August 5, 2024 YouTube
FY25 Juvenile Gang Grant Webinar PowerPoint August 5, 2024 

  1. Review Utah Code Section Title 53F-2-410: Juvenile Gang and Other Violent Crime Prevention and Intervention Program funding
  2. Review the Administrative Rule R277-436: Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs in the Schools
  3. Juvenile Gang Prevention Grant Application
    1. Preview Only of complete grant
    2. Complete grant narrative through the Utah Grants System
  4. Submit the application by 5:00 pm August 30, 2024.