Break the Cycle of Violence Act
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would create a new, nationwide framework within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reduce community violence through evidence-informed, trauma-responsive, and wraparound intervention strategies. It directs funding to community-based organizations and selected local governments to implement coordinated violence intervention initiatives (including outreach, hospital-based programs, group-violence interventions, and violence interruption), while creating an Office of Community Violence Intervention, an Advisory Committee, and a National Community Violence Response Center to oversee grants, provide technical assistance, collect data, and coordinate research. The bill also authorizes a parallel set of grants through the Department of Labor (DoL) to connect “opportunity youth” (ages 16-24 not in school or employed) in gun-violence affected communities with in-demand occupations and training. In short, the bill aims to prevent violence, support victims and communities, improve data and research, and build workforce opportunities in affected areas, all with a strong emphasis on avoiding mass incarceration and centering culturally competent, trauma-informed approaches.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and structure: Creates the Office of Community Violence Intervention within HHS, an Advisory Committee, and a National Community Violence Response Center. The Center will set a four-tier taxonomy to assess grantees, provide intensive site support, coordinate data collection, and oversee a Research Advisory Council that tracks and reports on violence research and federal expenditures.
- 2Community violence intervention grants (HHS Title I): Authorizes grant funding to eligible entities (community-based nonprofits serving residents of eligible local governments, or eligible local governments themselves) to implement coordinated violence intervention initiatives. Programs must be culturally competent, trauma-informed, and focus on high-risk individuals. Grants last four years; the federal share is typically 90% (with waivers possible for local governments) and funds must be used for wraparound services, economic opportunity, and strategies that do not contribute to mass incarceration.
- 3Grant administration and priorities: Local governments must direct at least 75% of grant funds to partners such as community-based or public safety-focused organizations (not primarily law enforcement), and hospitals must direct at least 90% to direct services or associated staff/subcontractors. The Secretary must prioritize applications with the greatest potential to reduce violence without increasing incarceration.
- 4Supporting requirements for applicants: Proposals must detail how the program will coordinate with other entities, demonstrate evidence of potential impact, include community steering committees, and obtain letters of support. There is a strong emphasis on community involvement and reflective representation of populations affected by violence.
- 5Evaluation, reporting, and incentives: The Act requires ongoing reporting and evaluation, annual center and office reporting to Congress, biennial conferences, best-practice reports, and a possible supplemental incentive fund (up to 10% of annual funds) for high-performing grantees. There is a “supplement, not supplant” rule to ensure grants add to, not replace, existing spending.
- 6Opportunity youth workforce grants (DoL Title II): Establishes IMPACT grants for year-round job training and workforce programs under WIOA, targeting opportunity youth in gun-violence–affected communities. Eligible entities include nonprofits, tribes, apprenticeships, community colleges, and local governments. Programs focus on in-demand occupations and combine basic skills with job training and soft skills. Requires reporting on enrollment, school/work outcomes, and earnings.
- 7Funding levels: The bill authorizes substantial appropriations: $300 million in 2026, rising to $500 million in 2027, and $700 million annually from 2028 through 2033 for the HHS violence intervention programs; and $1.5 billion for the DoL IMPACT grants from 2026 through 2033.
- 8Definitions and scope: Defines “community violence” as nonfatal firearm injuries, assaults, homicides, and related acts outside family/romantic relationships, excluding politically motivated violence. It also sets criteria for “eligible units of local government” based on homicide thresholds or demonstrated need, and defines “opportunity youth” (ages 16-24 not in school or employed).