The PROSPER Act of 2025 directs the Attorney General to authorize and oversee a youth gun violence prevention program funded by federal grants. Eligible entities—such as colleges, certain tribal and community organizations, and local government units that are not law enforcement—would receive grants to implement programs designed to prevent youth gun violence. Programs must be evidence-informed, trauma-informed, culturally competent, linguistically and developmentally inclusive, and focused on engaging youth at highest risk. Core activities include healing from trauma, youth empowerment, connecting youth with mental health and other support, fostering community belonging, linking families to prevention resources (including firearm safety and hotlines), and supporting reintegration for youths affected by gun violence or the juvenile justice system. Funding for this initiative would come from juvenile justice appropriations from FY 2026 through FY 2030. Specifically, $100 million per year would be available for grants under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (Title V), with $25 million of that amount dedicated to the youth gun violence prevention program. The bill also provides definitions for eligible entities and related terms to clarify who may apply and how programs should be structured.
Key Points
- 1The Attorney General is authorized to award grants to eligible entities to carry out youth gun violence prevention programs.
- 2Programs must be evidence-informed, trauma-informed, culturally competent, linguistically and developmentally inclusive, and aimed at engaging youth at highest risk to reduce violence and victimization.
- 3Eligible activities include trauma healing, youth empowerment (leadership, empathy, conflict management), connections to mental health and crisis/intervention support, community engagement, access to prevention resources (firearm safety, safe storage, hotlines), and reintegration/resilience support for youth with past exposure to gun violence or the juvenile justice system.
- 4Funding: For fiscal years 2026–2030, $100 million per year is allocated for juvenile justice grants (Title V of the JJDP Act), with $25 million of that amount set aside to support the youth gun violence prevention program.
- 5Eligible entities and definitions: Include institutions of higher education, Indian Tribe government agencies, NGOs serving Indian Tribes, community-based organizations, and local government agencies that are not law enforcement; also defines terms such as “community-based organization,” “Indian Tribe,” “institution of higher education,” and “law enforcement agency.”