Newark Community Street Team Inc

Newark Community Street Team (NCST) - 2024 AccomplishmentsThe Newark Community Street Team (NCST) was founded as Newark's community-based violence reduction strategy. NCST draws upon an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach to violence reduction through prevention and intervention in Newark communities. NCST hires, trains, and deploys Outreach Workers and High Risk Interventionists in the South and West Wards of Newark and operates Newark's Trauma Recovery Center,, a school-based Safe Passage Program, a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program, a Victim Services Department and Overdose Response Team. NCST also launched a Community Crisis Response Team. Organization-Wide ImpactIn 2024, NCST hosted 17 company-wide events and connected with 15,185 participants, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement and public safety. Across all programs, NCST continues to demonstrate leadership in evidence-based, community-based violence reduction strategies.High Risk Intervention (HRI)The High Risk Intervention (HRI) team's primary responsibility is to respond to community-based violence incidents based on referrals from the community or law enforcement. In 2024, HRI responded to 87 dispatches, conducted 119 mediations, and carried out 114 interventions. The team also led 40 community walks to promote peace and safety.HRI connects individuals engaged in violence to supportive counseling, crisis intervention, mediation, and resource referrals to restore peace and avoid arrest or incarceration. NCST has expanded its HRI team from 6 to 24 trained public safety professionals, now serving the entire city of Newark. Their work continues to play a crucial role in mitigating tensions and preventing escalation.Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)NCST's HVIP is a hospital-based approach to prevent retaliation and revictimization among victims of violence. In 2024, the program secured 137 consents from hospitalized individuals. The HVIP team includes 5 Community Health Workers, 1 Social Worker HRI, and 1 Project Manager, offering wraparound services such as trauma recovery, relocation, case management, and victim assistance.This year marked the launch of the Southward HVIP in partnership with Beth Israel Hospital, expanding NCST's reach beyond hospital walls and into the community. The program continues its collaboration with University Hospital and has focused on building trust with Beth Israel's leadership to implement community-led strategies for violence reduction.Safe Passage ProgramNCST's Safe Passage Program provides safety for students in high-violence areas by deploying Outreach Workers at key school entry and exit points, bus stops, and intersections. In 2024, Safe Passage held contracts with 16 schools and served a total of 20 schools citywide.The team led 36 community walks this year and has conducted 160 walks since inception. Safe Passage workers also manage caseloads of youth and young adults, helping them achieve short-term safety goals and facilitating conflict resolution to prevent escalation.Victim Services (VS)NCST's Victim Services Department offers comprehensive support to crime survivors, including hardship assistance, life management skills, wellness support, legal aid, and employment/education referrals. In 2024, VS connected with 134 mentees, including 62 youth mentees, and discharged 57 mentees.Trauma Recovery Center (TRC)The TRC provides clinical services to underserved, traumatized populations. In 2024, TRC reached 265 participants and served 202 clients YTD since its launch two years ago. The team includes 6 clinicians, 2 outreach workers, and 1 intern, totaling 10 staff members. TRC offers mental health treatment, advocacy, and victim services in a safe, community-based setting.Overdose Response Team (ORT)NCST's Overdose Response Team (ORT) aims to reduce overdose mortality and improve care for individuals with opioid use disorder. In 2024, ORT responded to 86 dispatch calls, arrived before EMS and police 27 times, and reversed 30 overdoses using Narcan.The team distributed over 800 harm reduction kits and continues to host monthly stakeholder meetings to address systemic barriers. ORT's outreach promotes harm reduction education and builds community capacity for overdose prevention.Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT)The NCST Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) provides culturally competent, trauma-informed support to community members experiencing a behavioral, mental health, or substance use crisis. When dispatched, the team evaluates the situation and determines the risk level, categorized as low, medium, or high. Based on this assessment, the team delivers on-site intervention, develops a community safety plan, and, when appropriate, connects individuals to additional support through our Trauma Recovery Department, Victim Services Department, Overdose Response Team, or High Risk Intervention Department. The CCRT team is composed of trained and qualified community responders, intervention specialists, and licensed social workers. We serve individuals aged 18 and over.