Newark Community Street Team (NCST)

Newark Community Street Team (NCST) - 2023 AccomplishmentsNewark Community Street Team (NCST) remains a cornerstone of Newark's community-based violence reduction strategy, utilizing evidence-based, trauma-informed methods. In 2023, NCST supported both victims and perpetrators of violence, engaging in high-risk intervention, mediation, and conflict resolution efforts to proactively deter violence and promote peace. NCST ensured safe and timely school commutes for students, provided a secure environment for survivors of violent crime to access mental health services, and responded effectively to overdose incidents while delivering harm reduction services to those in need. Through these efforts, NCST has built a critical mass of leaders, educated in self-efficacy and rooted in self-understanding, committed to fostering safety and resilience within their communities.High Risk InterventionThe High Risk Intervention (HRI) team responded to 2,200 dispatches in 2023, helping de-escalate violence across Newark. Expanded to 24 Public Safety Professionals, the HRI team supports citywide mediation and conflict resolution efforts, preventing violence and arrests by offering counseling, crisis intervention, and resource referrals. Their consistent presence has been pivotal in restoring peace and building safer communities.Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)NCST's HVIP remains essential in breaking cycles of violence, retaliation, and re-victimization. In 2023, we developed care plans for 140 clients across University Hospital and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Our team led 40+ community walks and 25 outreach events in the South Ward, promoting hospital-based trauma recovery resources and strengthening our role as trusted intervention specialists in Newark's healthcare settings. Community Health Workers and Victim Advocates received training, including Stop the Bleeding and Hospital Violence Prevention, enhancing their expertise. We facilitated long-term affordable housing relocations for participant survivors, the first to move into a brand new facility in the hospital's service campus.Safe Passage ProgramNCST's Safe Passage Program continues to ensure that Newark students can travel safely to and from school. Stationed at critical transit points across 20 schools, Safe Passage sentinels intervened in approximately 25 incidents monthly, supporting conflict resolution among students and fostering safe commutes. This year, the team also led 160 community walks, connecting directly with residents and responding to local needs in violence-affected neighborhoods.Victim Services Department (VSD)In 2023, the Victim Services Department assisted both victims and at-risk community members by providing hardship relief, social services, crime survivor support, and mentorship. Maintaining an average caseload of 25 clients monthly, four case managers supported 256 mentees and assisted with 50 Victims of Crime Compensation claims, totaling $65,739.45.Trauma Recovery Center (TRC)The Trauma Recovery Center provided a safe space for mental health support, serving 207 individuals in 2023, with 203 clients completing therapeutic services. The TRC addressed housing challenges for 14 families and coordinated 785 hours of direct clinical support. With 248 referrals from NCST departments and community partners, the TRC continues to connect survivors with comprehensive, trauma-informed care.Overdose Response Team (ORT)NCST's Overdose Response Team improved opioid use disorder care in Newark, handling a monthly caseload of 50 clients and reversing 303 overdoses independently, in addition to 261 reversals in partnership with University Hospital. By distributing 873 harm reduction kits and hosting regular stakeholder meetings, the ORT promotes harm reduction and supports Newark residents affected by substance use.Abridged NCST Programs & Services - 2023 Highlights:Safe Passage to Schools Program: Provided safe routes for students from 13 schools, with 20 sentinels handling an average of 7 interventions weekly.Stop School Violence (SSV): Served an average of 5 mentees monthly, preventing school-based violence through targeted interventions at partner alternative high school Lead Charter School.L+M Projects Onsite Intervention: This program at Georgia King Village and Zion Towers engaged 8 mentees monthly with wraparound support, conflict mediation, and digital media programming.Public Safety Roundtable: Engaged community stakeholders to discuss safety concerns and advocate for resources, enhancing local advocacy and collaboration.Harm Reduction Center (HRC): Supported over 300 residents monthly, providing addiction recovery resources and harm reduction supplies.Workforce Education Department (WED): Empowered leaders through Community Leadership Sentinel Academy, graduating nearly 200 residents, including youth-focused cohorts fostering self-efficacy and community resilience. Victim Services Empowered over 200 residents through healing modalities through National Day of Healing and Heal the Block initiatives. Credentialed over 10 employees as Advocates through the National Advocate Credentialing Program, and empowered over 100 domestic violence survivors at local YMCA, and 75 at L&M through Paint and Heal Arts Initiative.