The City of Long Beach announced Thursday morning that it has been awarded a grant to support anti-gang efforts and prevent the victimization of at-risk female youth for the seventh year in a row.

The city is one of 20 cities to receive this grant.

The city council formally accepted the three-year, $1.5 million California Gang Reduction, Intervention, and Prevention Program (CalGRIP) grant, titled “My Sister’s Keeper,” on January 6.

The grant is aimed at preventing gang membership and gang victimization among at-risk females between 10 and 24 years old. It will include a human trafficking awareness campaign, mental health treatment, housing assistance and mentorship.

“This grant is a recognition of the success Long Beach has had in reducing violence,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “We will continue to collaborate with community stakeholders to reduce crime and support our youth and families.”

Since 2008, more than 2,200 Long Beach youth and families have been served by Cal GRIP funded programs and services, city officials said.

“The CalGRIP grant was distributed by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and funded by the State Restitution Fund, which ensures funding to assist victims of crime,” city officials said in a statement. “Designed to provide youth with a network of positive alternatives to gang involvement and support various methods of intervention, CalGRIP promotes community awareness and education through anti-gang messages and enhances youth and gang violence prevention efforts.”

Under the grant funding requirements, cities are required to establish an advisory council to help prioritize use of funds, and must match 100 percent of the grant money received. The Long Beach GRIP Advisory Council will work in partnership with the Long Beach Police Department; City Prosecutor; Long Beach Unified School District; Pacific Gateway Workforce Development; Long Beach Trauma Recovery Center; Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST); YMCA of Greater Long Beach; and Helpline Youth Counseling and Centro CHA, Inc.