Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

Anticipated outcomes of the VPI include:

1. increased youth resiliency
2. reduced rates of violence
3. measurable data to inform violence prevention
4. strategies for further prevention efforts
5. strengthened community capacity
6. additional leveraged funding

Key accomplishments from the development phase include:

1. created VPI infrastructure;
2. developed VPI Steering Committee;
3. reviewed scientific research literature;
4. identified successful local and national models;
5. launched VPI community forums;
6. conducted community and youth assessments to identify existing assets and programs;
7. convened organizations to encourage exchange of information;
8. defined VPI implementation model, principles, priorities and goals; and,
9. developed an implementation plan.

Between January and July of 2010 a selection panel will conduct a comprehensive review of data and recommend two community areas for implementation of the VPI priorities and goals based on criteria developed by the Steering Committee.

Two community areas will be identified to serve as the VPI community partners for priority 1: prevention and early intervention with youth 0-11 yrs and priority 2: motivate and influence youth 12-17 yrs. Priority 3 works with several local community organizations and agencies to strengthen the collective capacity of our communities to address violence prevention. The VPI leadership and staff will work with several community organizations to provide technical assistance, develop a resource exchange center that enables community organizations to learn from local and national successes, and conduct other activities that strengthen local community efforts in violence prevention.