TITLE
title
HHS-PUBLIC HEALTH CONTRACT ONE STEP FURTHER, INC. GATE CITY COALITION PROGRAM ($250,000)
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SPONSOR
sponsor
Courtney McFadden
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BACKGROUND
background
The Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Division seeks approval to contract with One Step Further, Inc. for the continued operation of the Gate City Coalition Program 2 (GCC2).
The Guilford County Division of Public Health currently serves as a pass-through entity for county funding, provides technical guidance on data collection and program performance tracking, and invites GCC2 staff to participate in activities associated with the Guilford County Violence Prevention Initiative-a collaborative network of local law enforcement agencies, health care providers, K-12 and higher education institutions, and community-based organizations.
This agreement will represent the second year of contractual partnership between the Public Health Division and One Step Further, Inc. One Step Further, Inc. has been responsible for implementing and managing the GCC2 Program since July 2022. The program focuses on reducing violence and promoting community safety in the Merritt Drive/Overland Heights area and within the Hickory Trails and Hampton Homes public housing communities.
The Gate City Coalition Program 2 utilizes Guilford County funding to implement strategies that:
• Detect and interrupt community violence,
• Encourage behavior change and rehabilitation for high-risk individuals, and
• Promote healthy community norms that reject violence.
Changing Community Norms:
Hosting community events and activities to spread messages rejecting violence, providing direct interventions during violent incidents, and collaborating with law enforcement and partner organizations to deliver wrap-around services to GCC2 participants and affected families
Firearm (gun) violence and injury is one of six health priorities identified in the 2023-2024 Guilford County Community Health Assessment (CHA).
The CHA emphasizes that neighborhoods and populations experiencing higher rates of violence are not inherently violent; rather, these patterns reflect broader systemic inequities. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, limited access to quality education, housing instability, and barriers to health care contribute to environments where violence including firearm-related incidents is more likely to occur.
CHA Findings on Violent Injury & Deaths
• In 2023, Guilford County experienced a total of 2,612 violent crime incidents, with 1,581 or 60% involving firearms in 2023. These incidents include 1,384 aggravated assaults, 81 homicides, 41 suicides, and 75 accidental shootings
• 60% of the county's violent crimes involved firearms.
• 58% of the aggravated assaults, 90% of the homicides, and 59% of the suicides, and 100% accidental shootings involved firearms.
The Gate City Coalition 2 (GCC2) program directly supports this CHA priority by addressing these underlying determinants of health. In addition to reducing violent acts, GCC2 works to mitigate challenges in high-crime, high-poverty neighborhoods by connecting residents to critical resources, including legal assistance, educational and employment opportunities, housing support, substance use and mental health services, and access to health care. Through this approach, GCC2 aligns with the CHA’s call to promote safer, healthier, and more equitable communities across Guilford County.
In addition to reducing violent acts, GCC2 seeks to mitigate challenges in high-crime, high-poverty neighborhoods by connecting residents and participants to resources addressing:
• Legal assistance
• Housing support
• Substance use and mental health services
• Educational and employment opportunities
• Access to health care
Examples of Community Events and Core Justice Work
• The Carolyn Coleman Week of Peace demonstrated the power of collective action and the importance of community engagement in promoting a safer, more unified city. Examples of community events that week included banner painting, a Peace Ride, Candlelight vigil, job fair and a block party.
• A Warm the Streets Event brought together community members, both housed and unhoused to aid those in need.
• Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Event to assist community members in enrolling in Medicaid.
• 19 area residents and GCC participants received assistance with housing/utilities.
• 193 area residents and GCC participants referred to employment assistance in which 100 gained employments.
These efforts demonstrate GCC2’s positive impact on both violence reduction and community engagement within Guilford County.
Public Health will provide a total of $250,000 in Guilford County funding to One Step Further, Inc. to support GCC2 operations for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
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BUDGET IMPACT
budget impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
requested action
Approve contract, in substantial form, with One Step Further, Inc, in the amount of $250,000 to be effective July 1, 2025 for a term of one (1) year.
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