Pierce County Human Services has opened the call for proposals for initiatives focused on preventing youth violence. The area in question is the unincorporated regions of the county, where the services are expected to tackle risk factors and reinforce supports to curtail violence among young people. This move comes as part of a wider push to understand what strategies are most effective in combating youth violence.
A recent Youth Violence Prevention Needs Assessment (YVPNA), conducted by the County, is at the heart of this initiative, pinpointing crucial communities and programmatic needs that need to be addressed. The assessment is part of a strategy lined up with the County Executive’s broader strategic priorities, and informed the guidelines for potential funding opportunities. Roughly $3 million has been made available for these services, sourced from a local sales tax dedicated to criminal justice objectives. According to information publicized on Pierce County's official website, proposed violence prevention programs should be sustainable and based on evidence-supported practices with an emphasis on long-term preventative measures, over immediate benefits.
The county has highlighted that preference will be granted to proposals that draw from the YVPNA data and integrate elements like school-based programming, conflict resolution training, or behavioral health supports. Further encouragement has been given to applicants to focus on any of the areas, such as exposure to violence, substance use, behavioral health, academic performance, or fostering positive relationships.
Those looking to submit proposals have until 2 p.m. on February 18, 2026, to do so, and must utilize the County's digital procurement system, OpenGov, to submit their applications. Kari Moore, Communications Manager for Pierce County can be reached at 253-798-4383 or via email at [email protected] for more information on the process.
