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Hartford violence-intervention group seeks sustained state funding for Peacebuilders program
Summary
Compass Youth Collaborative asked the Appropriations Committee for core funding to sustain Peacebuilders, citing evaluated outcomes and the end of ARPA funding.
Christopher Brecklin, director of data and digital systems at Compass Youth Collaborative, requested core state support for the nonprofit’s Peacebuilders program, which provides wraparound violence-prevention and intervention services in Hartford.
Brecklin described Peacebuilders as a model combining credible messengers, licensed social workers, education supports, workforce development, intensive case management and hospital-based crisis services. He said the program measures outcomes and presented the group’s recent results: 79% of participating youth decreased risky behavior, 73% reduced engagement in violence and 82% were on track for sustained employment.
Brecklin said hospital-based crisis response and coordinated services helped individual clients stay in school and pursue employment; he recounted one participant’s recovery and eventual enrollment in a paid workforce program. He urged the state to partner with Compass as ARPA funding ends and federal support remains uncertain.
No appropriation vote occurred at this hearing; the testimony asked appropriators to consider funding during the biennial budget process.
