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PathStone Corp. and Rochester General Hospital have received more than $2.6 million in state funds for violence prevention efforts.
The grants support SNUG Street Outreach programs, an evidence-based initiative that aims to reduce gun violence and save lives in 14 New York communities. In total, $21 million in grants were distributed statewide. (SNUG is guns spelled backwards.)
The funds will help hospitals and community organizations hire hospital responders, outreach and social workers, and case managers who work closely with those at risk of gun violence. These groups connect them with support services to prevent and interrupt harm. These workers are embedded at trauma centers to assist individuals and families in the aftermath of violence, state officials say.
SNUG staff partner with local organizations, businesses, and faith leaders to promote safety and healing.
“SNUG is helping keep neighborhoods safer, supporting families in the aftermath of violence and creating real opportunities for young people to thrive,” says Gov. Kathy Hochul. “These teams are making a meaningful difference in communities across New York, and we will continue to build on that progress.”
According to the state, comprehensive training, site visits, and support from the Department of Criminal Justice Services set SNUG apart from other community-based violence interruption programs across the state and country.
Staff members are expected to complete 40 hours of training, and managers 32 hours. Professional development training is also part of the mix. This ongoing training and support helps ensure that the program operates consistently across all SNUG sites despite being operated by different community-based organizations and hospitals, officials say.
“SNUG teams use their lived experiences and a public health approach to meet people where they are and promote safety, healing, and growth in our communities,” notes state Sen. Samra Brouk, chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee and sponsor of Daniel’s Law.
SNUG employs 176 full-time and 46 part-time personnel who work in specific neighborhoods in Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, Rochester, Troy, Utica, Wyandanch and Yonkers, the state says. Shooting data in these “SNUG zones” last year collectively showed a significant, double-digit decrease in shooting victims, individuals killed by gun violence and shooting incidents with injury when compared to 2024, according to the DCJS.
This peer-navigator approach has earned the city of Rochester funds as well. Last week, the city was named a recipient of a health-led crisis response services pilot program. It will receive $2 million to continue funding the city’s Person In Crisis team. The PIC team is dispatched via 911, 988 and 211 and responds to calls without the police.
“Health-led crisis response models prioritize compassionate care, peer response and lived experience, providing individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis behavioral health supports that best meet the moment,” Assembly member Harry Bronson said last week.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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You’ll forgive me here, but it is my concerted feeling that this whole program will work about as well as the Rochester DPW pothole repair policy – or the RCSD’s handling of education in the city. Though it does provide a goodly amount of money to be politely skimmed off the top for those leading these efforts. Much like anything else the city grants monies for when it comes to our minority communities.