Addressing the Social Determinants of Youth Violence Through School and Community Partnerships

• In Event: Positive Development Among Adolescents: Fostering Achievement and Well-Being in Today's Youth

Abstract

Experiencing youth violence is one of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that impact youth development and academic achievement with lasting implications for lifelong wellbeing. National trends indicate that youth homicide and related violence is a leading cause of death among school age youths from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds. This paper presents a model framework based on the partnership between a school district and other community sectors in addressing the social determinants influencing youth violence within the community. Using a multicomponent and multisectoral community-based participatory research approach, this intervention model is described and preliminary results from the ongoing project is explored. Implications and plans for further studies are discussed.
Keywords: School partnership, community-based, youth violence, prevention intervention

Authors

• Cynthia C. Esiaka, The University of Kansas

• Jomella Watson-Thompson

• Jerry Schultz

• Priya Vanchy Kadavasal, The University of Kansas

• Valerie Thompson