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Committee approves $375,000 grant for Gideon's Army violence‑intervention program
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Summary
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Health & Safety Committee voted to award $375,000 to Gideon's Army to expand a youth‑led trauma‑informed workforce and leadership program. The vote followed questions about past personnel issues, program deliverables and Health Department monitoring, and passed unanimously.
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday recommended approval of a $375,000 grant to Gideon's Army to fund a trauma‑informed, youth‑led workforce and leadership program intended to reduce and mitigate youth violence.
The grant, presented as RS 20 26 19 07 and funded from the community safety fund, drew extended questioning from council members about personnel and accountability. Councilmember Bradford asked whether earlier media reports about employees with gang ties or weapons on the payroll had been resolved. "My name is Rashida Fotugo. I am the founder of Gideon's Army," Fotugo replied, saying the personnel issues had been resolved and that the individuals referenced were contractors still in training, not full staff.
Cabara Leach of Metro Public Health told the committee the department would monitor the contract and that deliverables and a termination‑for‑cause provision are in the contract. Leach listed the top monitoring metrics: enrolling 30 participants, maintaining at least an 80% retention rate for participants age 24 and under, a target of 75% of participants showing improved coping and emotional regulation on agreed clinical measures, and providing about 500 hours of structured workforce development per participant. Leach said the contract includes a termination clause that would require funds to be returned to the city if obligations are not met.
Councilmember Suarez, speaking in support, said the program had been worked on in prior terms and recalled the initiative originally started with $1 million in earlier funding. Fotugo and a youth leader described program components — hospital referrals, partnerships with Vanderbilt trauma physicians, leadership training, and a recently opened youth‑run gift store — as evidence of community integration and continuity.
Committee members also sought clarity on payment structure. Health staff initially read a draft line that caused confusion over whether payments were upfront or reimbursable; the chair stated he was receiving guidance that the award is a reimbursable grant and Health staff confirmed they would follow up with precise payment terms.
After discussion, the committee moved to a vote and recommended approval 9‑0. The item will proceed per the council's normal legislative process.
The committee record shows council members pressed for accountable metrics and a clawback mechanism; Health Department staff committed to providing contract details and a clearer breakdown of payment timing and reporting intervals.
