A program to prevent youth violence could reach more young people in Hennepin County. County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced in a press conference on Wednesday that her office and the county are each spending $250,000 to expand the effort.

A pilot program that was already in place connected youth on supervised probation with outreach workers. Under the expansion, Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center police departments will make those connections for youth who are at risk of being involved in violence.

The outreach groups offer support with mental health, employment, housing and other challenges. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty joined Minnesota Now to talk about the program.