For a neighborhood--based gun and violent crime prevention pilot program for targeted work with out--of--school youth and young adults aged 17 to 24, inclusive, intended to prevent gun violence and other violent crime in neighborhoods and municipalities with the highest rates of violent crime in the commonwealth; provided, that funds shall be awarded in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security and the department of elementary and secondary education; provided further, that funds shall be awarded to nonprofit, community--based organizations located in and serving high risk youth in eligible communities; provided further, that preference shall be given to organizations that have: (i) demonstrated street outreach capacity; (ii) effective partnerships with neighborhood health and human services agencies, including mental health providers, and with schools and other local educational institutions; and (iii) clearly outlined a comprehensive plan in support of continued or expanded collaboration efforts with such partners, including data related to measurable outcomes of successful partner collaboration; provided further, that eligible expenses for such grants shall include, but not be limited to, case workers, mental health counselors, academic supports and other research--based practices and related support services; provided further, that the department shall ensure that every grant recipient establishes measurable outcomes in its comprehensive plan and provides data related to those outcomes that demonstrate program success; provided further, that preference shall be given to proposals that demonstrate coordination with programs and services funded through items 4000--0005, 7061--0010 and 7061--9612; provided further, that the department shall allocate funding to support training and technical assistance for all grantees; provided further, that not later than March 2, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the awarding of grants and details of anticipated contracts by district; provided further, that the department shall further report on the effectiveness of the program including, but not limited to: (a) any measurable data--driven results; (b) which strategies and collaborations have most effectively reduced gun and other violence in the grantee neighborhoods; (c) how spending through this item has been aligned with spending from items 4000--0005, 7061--0010 and 7061--9612 in ways that enhance public safety while avoiding programmatic duplication; and (d) what efforts have been taken by the nonprofit community and municipalities to ensure the long--term viability of the reforms funded by the pilot program; and provided further, that copies of the report shall be provided to: (1) the joint committee on public safety and homeland security; (2) the joint committee on public health; (3) the joint committee on education; and (4) the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than September 2, 2026
