Center for American Progress

Community Violence Intervention: James Timpson and Roca’s Use of CBT
Video

Community Violence Intervention: James Timpson and Roca’s Use of CBT

James “JT” Timpson explains how the Roca Impact Institute uses a cognitive behavioral theory approach to empower individuals to de-escalate dangerous situations and make safer decisions.

Part of a Series

“We understand that if we build young people’s skills to make better decisions, then when they’re in those moments … it gives them an opportunity to slow down and make a different decision.”

In his role as the managing director of community violence initiatives at the Roca Impact Institute, James “JT” Timpson is responsible for bringing Roca’s innovative Rewire cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) strategy to community violence intervention (CVI) programs nationwide. In this video, JT explains Roca’s unique approach to working with young people in violence-affected communities that focuses on developing behavioral skills that empower individuals to make safer decisions, leading them away from violence.

As JT explains, Roca’s Rewire CBT—adapted from techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy—is a nonclinical approach “designed for frontline staff to help young people learn and practice the lifesaving skills they need to heal from trauma and increasingly make healthier choices.” Designed in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital, Rewire CBT focuses on seven lifesaving skills that can be practiced on and applied to real-life situations that encourage individuals to identify negative thought patterns and replace them.

JT has more than 20 years of experience leading violence intervention work in Baltimore and providing technical assistance to programs across the country. In 2007, Baltimore became the second city after Chicago to implement a violence interruption program based on the Cure Violence model. JT was tasked by the Baltimore mayor to provide oversight of the new Safe Streets program. In 2012, he became a Safe Streets site director in the Park Heights Renaissance neighborhood before working for the Baltimore City Health Department to support all Safe Streets sites. In 2018, he left to help found the Roca Baltimore program. In addition to his role today with the Roca Impact Institute, JT serves on the Baltimore Mayor’s Cabinet for Boys and Young Men of Color and advises both the Johns Hopkins Innovation Fund for Community Safety and the Accountability Board Selection Committee.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Authors

Nick Wilson

Senior Director, Gun Violence Prevention

Chandler Hall

Associate Director, Gun Violence Prevention

Producers

Hai-Lam Phan

Senior Director, Creative

Toni Pandolfo

Video Producer, Production

Andrew Sonntag

Former Events Video Producer

Matthew Gossage

Events Video Producer

Team

Gun Violence Prevention

Our goal is to reduce gun violence by enacting strong gun laws, increasing investment in local solutions, and growing the movement dedicated to this mission.

Explore The Series

Photo shows a young man lighting a candle in the late evening

In America, gunshots rattle communities every 11 minutes. Amid this cycle of tragedy, community violence intervention (CVI) programs are addressing the root causes of violence to end cycles before they can start.

Through collaboration with residents and government officials, CVI programs curb the spread of gun violence by meeting community members where they are and responding to their individual needs. In violence-affected neighborhoods, residents are grappling with trauma and long-standing hardships that fuel the rise in shootings. But CVI programs channel resources back into the community, improving access to needed resources such as education, employment, housing, and health care.

In a nation haunted by the daily occurrence of gun violence, CVI programs provide a path forward—toward healing, unity, and a safer future for everyone.

This series highlights resources on CVI programs and stories from the voices of change on the front lines of America’s gun violence epidemic. These narratives are a reminder of the challenges and successes that outline the effort to save more lives.

Previous
Next

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.