RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Commonwealth University will use a $6 million federal grant to help curb youth violence in Richmond.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/2dYuOOe ) that researchers will help communities develop programs aimed at preventing violence among youth.

In September, the researchers started working with community members in Mosby, Whitcomb and Gilpin courts in Richmond's East End and Hillside Court and Bellemeade in South Richmond.

They're asking residents to identify causes of youth violence and help them create intervention programs for each neighborhood. Some neighborhoods may need to expand existing services while others may need to create new programs.

The researchers will randomly choose one neighborhood where they'll implement the programs and services aimed at stemming youth violence.