Omaha launches CVIP project to combat community violence from 2024 to 2027

The Omaha City Council meeting on April 29, 2025, focused on a significant initiative aimed at enhancing community safety through a new project under the Community Violence Intervention Program (CVIP). The project is set to run from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2027, and aims to expand violence intervention efforts within the city.

The primary goal of the project is to establish and formalize partnerships with various service networks in Omaha to address community violence, particularly retaliatory gun violence. This initiative will build upon the hospital-based violence intervention program funded in fiscal year 2022. It seeks to identify and support individuals and families at the highest risk of involvement in violence.

Key components of the project include the expansion of street outreach and a comprehensive family response through the Encompass program, which is operated by Nebraska Medicine. The proposal emphasizes the importance of professionalism in the field by promoting credentialing and continued education for local organizations involved in violence intervention. This will ensure that evidence-based approaches, including cultural competency and trauma sensitivity, are effectively applied in prevention and intervention efforts.

The project will foster collaboration among several key stakeholders, including the City of Omaha's mayor's office, the African American Empowerment Network, the University of Nebraska at Omaha's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and the Nebraska Medical Center. Additionally, it will support the development of community safety strategies led by grassroots organizations, enhancing the capacity to build trust and momentum within the community.

This initiative represents a proactive approach to addressing violence in Omaha, aiming to create a safer environment through targeted intervention and community engagement.