Councilmember Monica Rodriguez announced a $2.2 million increase in funding for the Community Intervention Workers program on Monday, offering programs like yoga and therapy to individuals frequently working in traumatic situations.
Product of the Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office, the initiative, Project Therapeutic Unarmed Response for Neighborhoods, seeks to improve Community Intervention Workers’ response to potentially violent situations, as well as their mental and physical well-being.
According to the press release, just over 100 CIWs work in Los Angeles — their work encompasses “community engagement, gang prevention, gang intervention, and violence interruption.” Part of their purpose is to allow law enforcement to focus on crime while attempting to reduce violent interactions with police.
“Community-based public safety workers are regularly exposed to high trauma environments,” said Councilwoman Rodriguez in the press release. “Providing comprehensive training and support is an important tenet of how our city will deliver transformative change, strengthen our public safety response and create more equitable investment in a community-based public safety model.”
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