Public Health and Community Policing Partnerships: Lessons Learned from the Minority Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

• In Event: New Research Examining the Role of Collaborations in Crime Prevention

Abstract

Despite decreasing national crime trends, violence still plagues minority communities across the country. In 2014, the federal government announced a major effort to address youth violence in communities of color: the Minority Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. Funded by the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services and the COPS Office at the Department of Justice, the initiative seeks to integrate public health and community policing approaches to reduce health disparities and violent crimes. In 2016, researchers conducted site visits to the nine programs participating in this national initiative in order to conduct process evaluations. These programs varied significantly in terms of model (e.g. school-based programming, community based organizations, hospital-based interventions), populations served, and partnerships. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the programs coupled with a discussion of the lessons learned from violence prevention programming.

Authors

• Jennifer A. Tallon, Center for Court Innovation

• Rachel Swaner, Center for Court Innovation