The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently eliminated 30% of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) workforce. Composed of 38 employees (according to RAND’s 2022 report), the office – created to build the national capacity for advancing public safety, preventing targeted violence and terrorism, and increasing national security – saw probationary employees laid off and their director, William Braniff, retire.
CP3, established in 2021, focuses on connecting targeted violence and terrorism prevention providers, curating research and best practices, and helping states and communities develop prevention strategies. CP3 builds partnerships and provides funding and training across all levels of government, the private sector, and local communities.
While programs hosted by CP3 lack metrics on “terrorist acts prevented,” the Center released its fiscal year 2024 Report to Congress in December, highlighting surging demand for its prevention initiatives. CP3 received 178 grant applications from 47 U.S. states and territories for the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. These requests totaled $98.9 million—more than five times the $18 million actually allocated to the program.
The TVTP Grant Program is the only federal financial assistance program dedicated to providing funding for local communities to establish or enhance targeted violence and terrorism prevention programs.
The report also showcased the work of 17 grantees who managed 1,172 interventions through various prevention projects, including Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management initiatives (models used by schools, workplaces and communities to assess and manage potential threats), and recidivism reduction programs (supporting those at risk of returning to violent extremism by addressing their vulnerability to radicalization factors).
Top motivations for cases handled included “personal grievance” (264 cases), followed by racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE) (161 cases). Personal grievance-based cases stem from real or perceived wrongs where an individual seeks revenge, retribution or recognition; think school shootings or workplace violence. Research from the National Threat Assessment Center shows a majority of K-12 school shooters – over 80% – “communicate violent intent ahead of time.”
It’s unclear how the Administration or DOGE view terrorism prevention programs and efforts; studies curated by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) support their efficacy. NIJ’s research indicates that “including terrorism prevention in broader violence prevention and public health programming can be more successful than standalone terrorism-prevention programs.” This may be due community members feeling offended or that they’ve been labeled unfairly when programs about violent extremism are brought to their neighborhood; as if there’s something wrong with their community.
Teen participants in a violent extremism (VE) prevention program were split 50/50 about whether VE was an issue in their community. However, following their training, these 14- to 17-year-olds demonstrated sharper threat recognition skills and the drive to take action when confronted with warning signs: 83% would mobilize peers for help, 75% would alert trusted adults, and 75% would gather intelligence on concerning plans. Most would directly engage at-risk peers (58%), contact crisis resources (58%), or advocate for professional intervention (50%), showcasing their transformation from passive observers to proactive participants.
The NIJ research also indicates benefits extend beyond the program participants, as law enforcement experience better community relationships and service providers expand their social and professional networks.
As of this writing, the DHS CP3 office continues to operate, with a variety of resources still available as they move forward in their work to prevent violence and prioritize national security. To reach one of CP3’s Regional Prevention Coordinators, visit https://www.dhs.gov/regional-prevention-coordinators and select your region.
