Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and …...Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and Positive...
Transcript of Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and …...Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and Positive...
AcceleratingYouthViolencePreventionandPositiveDevelopmentACalltoAction
CDCCommunityAdvisoryCouncil–FinalReport
January16,2017
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AStoryofTwoYoungMen
William*grewupinpublichousing,inasingleworkingparenthouseholdwithtwosiblings.Becauseofhisfinancialsituation,hewasoftendeniedsomeofthethingsaffordedtohispeergroupwithindifferentsectionsofhishomecityofWilmington.William’sdesireformaterialthingsandhislackoftheresourcesledhimtoparticipateinpettycrimes,whicheventuallylandedhimintheNewCastleCountyDetentionCenterandtheFerris’SchoolforBoys.Fortunately,uponhisreleasefromthejuvenilejusticesystem,severalindividualsmentoredWilliamandprovidedhimastrongsupportnetwork.Forexample,ahighlyrespectedjudgehelpedhimnavigatehiswaythroughthejuvenileprobationsystem,aCityCouncilmemberhelpedhimfindemployment,apoliceofficerensuredhehadasafeandnurturingenvironmentforrecreationalactivities,andacommunityactivisthelpedfundhiscollegeeducation.Williamcreditsthiscollectiveeffortwithhelpinghimavoidthegunviolencethathasengulfedhiscommunity.Today,heleadsaproductivelife,andheisanassettohiscommunity.Richard*wassimilartoWilliaminmanyways.Bothyoungmenwereintelligent,charismatic,andenjoyedsports,especiallyfootball.Bothofthempossessednaturalathletictalent.UnlikeWilliam,Richardwasnotraisedwithinpublichousing,norwashetheproductofasingleparenthome.Richard’smotherandfatherfreelygavehimthematerialthingsthathadledWilliamtothestreets.Thus,Richardexpressednodesiretopursueillegalmoney.Infact,Richard’sonlyconcernwasgettingintoaprivatehighschool.Oneday,whenRichardwasreturninghomefromfootballpractice,agroupofyoungmenrobbedhim,beathimwithapistol,andforcedhimtostripnaked.Afterthistraumaticandhumiliatingexperience,Richardwasneverthesameenergetic,funloving,teenager.Instead,hebecamewithdrawnandstartedhangingoutwithadifferentcrowd.Richard,alongwiththreeotheryoungmen,wasindictedbyagrandjuryonnumerousfelonyfirearmoffenses.Hewasconvictedandsentencedto54yearsinprison,whereheistoday.Whatseparatesthesetwoyoungmen?InthecaseofWilliam,theriskfactorswereidentifiedandaddressedthroughanarrayofservicesandsupportsystems.Unfortunately,Richardneverreceivedtheservicesheneededtoaddresshisriskfactor(trauma).Richard’sstoryisnotanisolatedincident.CountlessyoungpeopleinWilmingtonarenotbeingidentifiedearlyenoughasneedingservicesnordotheyalwaysreceivetheappropriateserviceswhenidentified.ItistheintentoftheCDCCommunityAdvisoryCouncil’sreport,AcceleratingYouthViolencePreventionandPositiveDevelopment–ACalltoAction,tostimulatedialogueandactioninourcommunitytohelpouryouthavoidviolence;becomeresilient;andhavehope,support,andopportunitiesforapositivefuture.(*Thestoriesarereal.Thenameshavebeenchangedtoensureprivacy.)
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ExecutiveSummary
InNovember2015,theDelawareDepartmentofHealthandSocialServices(DHSS)releasedanepidemiologicalstudyconductedbytheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),whichexaminedyouthfirearmviolenceinthecityofWilmington,Delaware.Asrecommendedbythestudy,theDepartmentconvenedanadvisorycouncilcomposedofkeycommunitystakeholderstoproviderecommendationsonproposedevidence-based,integratedservicestobeprovidedtoyouthwhoareconsideredathighriskofcommittingviolence.TheCouncilincludedrepresentativesfromtheNewCastleCountyschooldistricts;community-basedorganizations;faithcommunities;DelawareDivisionsofPublicHealth,PreventionandBehavioralHealthandYouthRehabilitativeServices;UnitedWayofDelaware;CityofWilmingtonMayor’sOffice;andtheWilmingtonCityCouncil,aswellascommunityadvocates.TheCouncilperformedanextensiveliteraturereviewtobecomefamiliarwiththeevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesinDelawareandelsewherebeingusedtopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositiveyouthdevelopment.TheCouncilalsoassessedthecurrentarrayofservicesavailabletoyouthlivinginhigh-riskneighborhoodsinWilmingtonthroughbroadengagementofyouth,families,communityorganizations,andotherkeycommunitystakeholders.TheCouncilalsodrewuponitsknowledgeoftheyouthofWilmington.Therearenearly20,000childrenandyouthinthecityofWilmington,andmorethan80%ofthemarereceivingsomeformofpublicassistancefromtheState.Morethan60%ofthemhaveexperiencedasignificanttrauma,accordingtotheNationalSurveyforChildren’sHealth.Consolidatingallofthedataandresearch,theCouncildevelopedrecommendationsonthenetworkofservicesthatcanandshouldbestrengthenedtopreventyouthviolenceandhelpyouthmakegoodchoices,beresilient,andgrowuptobephysicallyandmentallyhealthymembersoftheircommunities.ThefollowingaretheCouncil’ssixrecommendationsforpreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopment:
1. Fosterviolence-freeenvironmentsandpromotepositiveopportunitiesandconnectionstotrustedadults–Buildthecapacityofschoolsandcommunitycentersthroughtraining,technicalassistance,resources,andserviceintegrationtoengagemoreyouth,especiallyolderyouth,inafterschool,evening,andweekendprogramsusingevidence-basedandpromisingpractices,tomeettheirdiverseneeds.
2. Intervenewithyouthandfamiliesatthefirstsignofrisk–Developamulti-tieredidentificationandreferralsystemtobeaccessedbyfamilies,schools,
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communityorganizations,andhealthcareproviders,aswellasoptionsforself-referraltoconnectyouthtoneededserviceswithcasemanagement/carecoordination;providemoresocialworkandbehavioralhealthsupportsonsiteinschoolsandcommunityorganizations;andfurtherexplorethedevelopmentandimplementationofapredictivetoolfortheearlyidentificationofyouthatriskofcommittingviolentacts.
3. Restoreyouthwhohavegonedownthewrongpath–Increasethelevelof
supportforyouth,especiallythoseages16to24,transitioningbacktotheirhomes,schools,andcommunitiestohelpthemdeveloppersonalpathwaystosuccesswithappropriateservicesandcasemanagement/carecoordinationforaslongasneeded.
4. Protectchildrenandyouthfromviolenceinthecommunity–Increasesupport
foroutreachprogramsthatengagethecommunityincreatingandsustainingacultureandenvironmentsthatpreventviolenceandpromotepositiveyouthdevelopmentsuchastheCureViolenceevidence-basedmodel.Theprogramsshouldseektodeescalateconflictsandreducethelikelihoodofretaliation.
5. Integrateservices
a. Developandpilotamodelfortheintegrationofdirectservicesforchildren,youth,andtheirfamiliesengagingschooldistricts,schools,communityorganizations,hospitalsystems,andkeystateagenciestoimproveoutcomesfortheirpositivedevelopmentandlong-termsuccess,whichwouldincludeestablishingacentralstudentdataandserviceentitywithacommonsystemplatformforstudentdatasharing,serviceinformation,andschool-basedcoordinatorsresponsibleforconnectingstudentstoneededservices.
b. Alignandintegratepolicies,programs,services,clientdatasharing,andresourcesforchildren,youth,andtheirfamiliesatthestatesystemsgovernancelevelthroughthecreationofaStatelevelChildren’sCabinetCouncilundertheleadershipoftheGovernorwithanadvisorygroupofrepresentativesfromlocalgovernment,andthenon-profit,business,andphilanthropiccommunities.
6. Addresspolicyissuesthathaveunintendedadverseconsequencesforyouth-
Researchandmitigatepolicyimpedimentsto:accessibilityofcommunity-basedprogramsforyouth;transitioningofyouthbacktotraditionalpublicandcharterschoolsfromalternativesettingstocompletetheireducationandgraduate;sharingyouthspecificdataamongschools,DSCYF,DHSS,andDOEsoastoimprovetheearlydetectionofproblemsandconnectiontoneededservices;improvingschoolcodesofconductanddisciplinarypoliciestomakethemmoreequitableforyouthofdiversebackgrounds;andtransitioningyouthsuccessfullyfromyouthtoadultmedicalandbehavioralhealthservicestoeliminatethegapsincoverageforneededservices.
Therecommendationscontainedinthisreportarealignedwithandfurthersupportedbytheworkofothercollaborativeeffortsfocusedonimprovingtheeducation,health,andwell-beingofWilmington’schildrenandfamilies,includingtheWilmingtonEducation
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ThinkTank(WESTT),WilmingtonEducationImprovementCommission,andDelawareCenterforHealthInnovationHealthyNeighborhoodsCommittee.Inordertofullyimplementthereport’srecommendations,theCouncilcallsforafinancingplantoimprovetheuseofexistingandproposednewappropriationstoaddressviolenceandcrime.Currently,nearlyallofthesefundsarebeingappliedtothe“after-effects”ofviolenceandcrime.Thechallengeistodevisestrategiestouserelativelymarginalsumsoftheseresourcesandapplythemtosupporttheuseofevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesthatdemonstratepositiveoutcomesrelatedtopreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopment,andpromotingintegrationamongtheseservicesforsynergisticeffects.Ourcommunityisalreadypayingforthecostsofnegativeoutcomesexperiencedbyouryouthandourcommunities,becausesufficientresourceshavenotbeenstrategicallyinvestedupfrontinthequalityandquantityofprogramsandsupportsystemsthatareaccessibleandwellintegrated.Eachtimeayouthcannotreadongradelevel,orissuspendedorexpelled,dropsoutofschool,standsonacornerbecausehedoesnothaveasafe,caringplacetogo;cannotfindajobtoearnmoneyforhisbasicneeds;getscaughtupinviolence;orgetsarrestedforaviolentact,goesintoa“securecare”placement,completestheprogram,andgetsreleasedonlytoreturntothesamewayoflife,wepaythepriceofmorefailure. ThemembersoftheCouncilbelievethatcitizensoftheStateofDelawaredeserveabetterreturnontheirinvestmentsingovernmenteffortstoaddresscrimeanditsafter-effects.Thereisnobetterplanthantomakeafocusedinvestmentinchildrenandyouthandstrategicallydeploylimitedresourcestoachievepositiveresults.
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................7-15
• TheChallenge...........................................................................................................................................7-8
• TheCreationoftheCouncil................................................................................................................8-9
• OverviewofWilmingtonChildrenandYouth.........................................................................9-11
• LiteratureReview.............................................................................................................................11-13
• GuidingFramework.........................................................................................................................14-15
TheFindings:Evidence-BasedandPromisingPracticeReview..................................16-21
• DataAnalysis.....................................................................................................................................16-19
• CommunityEngagement...............................................................................................................19-21
TheRecommendations………………………………………………………………………………………22-30
• Fosterviolence-freeenvironmentsandpositiveopportunities...................................23-24
• Interveneatthefirstsignofrisk................................................................................................24-25
• Restoreyouthwhohavegonedownthewrongpath..............................................................25
• Protectchildrenandyouthfromviolenceinthecommunity........................................25-26
• IntegrateServices.............................................................................................................................26-27
• Addresspolicyissuesthathaveunintendedadverseconsequences.........................27-28
• IndicatorsofSuccess.......................................................................................................................28-29
• InvestmentStrategy........................................................................................................................29-30
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………….31-32
• NextSteps……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…31
• Closing–FinalThoughts………………………………………………………………………………..31-32
• Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………...….33
References…………………………………………………………………………………...…………………….34-35
Appendices…………………………………………………………………………………………………………36-51
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Introduction
TheChallengeIn2013,Wilmington,Delaware,experienced127shootingincidentsresultingin154victims.Thisrepresentednearlya45%increaseinthenumberofshootingsovertheprecedingtwoyears.Furthermore,ratesofviolentcrimeinWilmingtonarehigherthaninnearbycitiesofDover,Newark,andPhiladelphia.Indeed,althoughWilmingtonisamoderately-sizedcityofapproximately71,525residents,whencomparedtoalllargecitiesintheUnited
States,itshomiciderateinrecentyearshasbeenreportedtobeashighas4th
overall.Infact,inrecentyears,thegrowthinDelaware’shomiciderate(WilmingtonisthelargestcityinDelaware)hasoutpacedthatofeveryotherstate.-CDCReport-ElevatedRatesofUrbanFirearmViolenceandOpportunitiesforPrevention—Wilmington,DelawareUrbanfirearmviolenceresultsinasubstantialdegreeoffearamongcityresidents,slowingofbusinessgrowth,strainingofcityresources,andsufferingamongvictims’families.However,inspiteofthetremendousimpactsofsuchviolenceonacity,onlyarelativelysmallnumberofindividualsareactuallyresponsibleforcommittingtheseparticularcrimes.Forexample,in2013,Wilmingtonexperiencedareported127shootingincidents.Ifweassumeonepersoncommittedeachshooting,thisequatesto127individualscommittingfirearmviolenceoutofatotalpopulationofabout71,000residents,whichislessthan1outofevery500residents.Becauseonlyarelativelysmallproportionofindividualsareinvolvedinfirearmcrimes,accuratelyfocusingpreventioneffortscouldhaveasignificantimpactonlethalviolenceinurbancitycentersandbeanimportantcomponenttoalargercomprehensiveapproachtoviolenceprevention.-CDCReport-ElevatedRatesofUrbanFirearmViolenceandOpportunitiesforPrevention—Wilmington,Delaware
InDecember2013,realizingthattheissueoffirearmviolenceratesintheCityofWilmington,especiallyamongyouth,wasbecomingacrisissituation,CouncilwomanHanifaShabazzproposedaCityresolution,requestingthattheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)assistinaninvestigationofgunviolenceandproviderecommendationsforpreventiveaction.TheDelawareDivisionofPublicHealth,withconcurrencefromSecretaryofHealthandSocialServicesRitaM.LandgrafandGovernorJackMarkell,issuedaformalinvitationtotheCDCtoprovideepidemiologicassistanceandmakeprogrammaticrecommendationsforapublichealthresponse.
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FromJunetoJulyof2014,CDCscientistscametoWilmingtonandcollecteddatafromvariousstateagenciesandinstitutionsinDelaware.InMarchof2015,theyreturnedtoDelawaretopresentthepreliminaryfindingsandinitialrecommendationstotheMayor,CityCouncil,andstateofficials.TheCDCcontinuedstatisticalanalysisandpeerreviewofitsfindings,andinNovember2015,theDelawareDepartmentofHealthandSocialServices(DHSS)releasedthefinalreport,whichlookedatgunviolencefromapublichealthandsocialservicesperspective.Thisperspectiveisalensthatlooksatavarietyofcomplexfactorsthatcouldleadapersontocommitaviolentactandhowwecaninterveneearlybeforeanyoneishurt.(SecretaryLandgraf’spresentationtotheMovementforaCultureofPeace,aforumtodiscusstheCDCreport,onJanuary9,2016.)TheCDCstudiedtheriskprofilesofasampleofyoungmenwhohadcommittedactsofviolence,usingagun.Themajorfindingfromitsstudywasthatthesemenhadadverseexperiencesintheirlivesbeforetheywereengagedinviolence,e.g.,didnothaveastablefamilyenvironment,mayhavehadproblemsinschool,hadbeenavictimofviolenceortraumaticevent,and/orhadbeenengagedinsomecriminalactivity.Aftercarefulconsiderationofitsfindings,theCDCmadethreerecommendationstotheStatetoaddressyouthviolenceprevention:1. Reachagreementondatasharingwith
relevantorganizations.2. Connectdatasystemstoidentifypotential
recipientsoftargetedservices.3. EstablishaCommunityAdvisoryCouncilto
supportthedevelopmentofhighlyintegratedandcoordinatedcustomizedservicesforhigh-riskpopulations.
TheCreationoftheCommunityAdvisoryCouncilDHSScreatedtheCDCCommunityAdvisoryCouncil(referredtohereinastheCouncil)inFebruary2016toproviderecommendationsontheproposedevidence-based,integratedservicestobeprovidedtohigh-riskyouthinconjunctionwithriskassessmenttools.Specifically,theCouncilwasaskedtolearnabouttheCDCreportfindingsandrecommendations,shareinformationonevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesinservicesforhighriskyouthandoncommunityassets,andtoengageserviceprovidersandcommunitystakeholdersintheprocessofformulatingitsrecommendationstohelpyouthgetbackontrackandbesuccessful.TheCouncilincludes38representativesfromtheschooldistricts;community-basedorganizations;faithcommunity;CeaseViolenceProgram;DelawareDivisionsofPublicHealth,PreventionandBehavioralHealthandYouthRehabilitativeServices;UnitedWayof
Aftercarefulconsiderationofitsfindings,theCDCmadethreerecommendationstotheStatetoworktowardyouthviolenceprevention:1. Reachagreementondatasharingwith
relevantorganizations.
2. Connectdatasystemstoidentifypotentialrecipientsoftargetedservices.
3. EstablishaCommunityAdvisoryCounciltosupportthedevelopmentofhighlyintegratedandcoordinatedcustomizedservicesforhigh-riskpopulations.
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Delaware;CityofWilmingtonMayor’sOffice;andtheWilmingtonCityCouncil;aswellascommunityadvocates.(RefertoAppendixAforacompletelistingoftheCouncilmembers.)Earlyon,theCouncildecidedtofocusitsefforts“upstream”fromthepopulationincludedintheCDC’sstudyinordertointerveneearlierwithyouthtointerruptthecycleofviolencebeforetheseyouthfallintodeepercrisis.Accordingly,theCouncildecidedtofocusitsworkusingapublichealthapproachonthepopulationofchildrenandyouthages4to18livinginthehighestneedneighborhoodsofWilmington.Inthecourseofitswork,theCouncilassessedthecurrentarrayofservicesavailabletoallyouthlivinginhighest-riskneighborhoodsandthoseassessedtobeatmoderateandhighrisk.Theystudiedhowthatnetworkofservicesavailablecouldbestrengthenedtoempoweryouthtomakegoodchoices,beresilient,andgrowuptobehealthymembersofthecommunity.Next,theCouncildevelopedstrategiesforstrengtheningandintegratingtheexistingservicesandaddressingthegapsinservicesthatmayexistattheindividualyouthandpolicysystemslevels.Finally,theCouncilexaminedgovernmentalpoliciesandpracticesthatpreventandorcontributetoaccessbarriers,servicegaps,inequitableresourcesandopportunitiestointegrateandmoreefficientlyre-distributeresourcestopreventyouthviolence.Tolaunchitswork,theCouncilusedthe“KotterModel”ofacceleratingchangeinorganizationsandsystemstoframetheopportunity.
Recommendingholisticapproachestobuildourchildrenupthroughintegratingeffective,culturallyappropriatecommunityandstateservicesbasedontheevidence-basedorbestpracticessothatyouthareabletoeasilyaccessservicesandreceiveadequatesupporttoaddresstheirneedsattheearliestpossibletimebeforetheygointocrisistopreventgunviolence.-AcceleratingChange,JohnKotter
Iftherecommendationsareimplemented,theCouncilenvisionsthatWilmingtonyouthatriskofgoingintodeepercrisisandcommittinggunandotherseriousviolenceareengagedinserviceswithsufficientsupport,basedonthepromisingpracticestoaddresstheirneedstogrowuphealthyandbeproductivemembersofthecommunity.OverviewofWilmingtonChildrenandYouthItiswellknownthatchildrenandyouthconstitutethe“lifeblood”ofacommunity.Itisuptofamiliesandthecommunitytoensurethatthebasicneedsofthechildrenandyoutharemet.Theycollectivelymusthelptheirchildrenandyouthtogrowupinsafe,healthyplaceswiththeeducational,emotional,social,economic,andhealthsupports,andotherprotectivefactorstheyneedtobecomeproductivemembersoftheircommunity.Whenfamiliesandcommunitiesarenotabletodeliverontheseexpectations,childrenandyouthstarttoexperienceadverseeventsandfallvictimtotheriskfactorsthatsurroundthem.
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Recognizingthatcircumstancesmayinhibitafamily’sabilitytomeettheneedsofitschildren,theDelawareGeneralAssemblyhasacknowledgedarolefortheState,towit:
§9001IntentandPurpose(FromTitle29,Chapter90).TheGeneralAssemblyfindsanddeclaresthatparentshavetheprimaryresponsibilityformeetingtheneedsoftheirchildrenandtheStatehasanobligationtohelpthemdischargethisresponsibilityortoassumethisresponsibilitywhenparentsareunabletodoso;whiletheStatehasabasicobligationtopromotefamilystabilityandpreservethefamilyasaunit,andprotectandsafeguardthewell-beingofchildrenthroughtheprovisionofacomprehensiveprogramofsocialservicesandfacilitiesforchildrenandtheirfamilieswhorequirecare,guidance,control,protection,treatment,rehabilitationorconfinement.
TheCouncilstarteditsinformationgatheringbyexaminingtheprofilesofyouthlivingintheCityofWilmington.Thecityhasatotalpopulationof72,638(updatedbytheDelawarePopulationConsortiumfor2016),manyofwhomliveinhigh-needneighborhoodsonWilmington’sWestSide,EastSideandNorthSide,i.e.,zipcodes19801,19802,and19805.Thesezipcodesweretargetedbecausetheyhavethehighestincidenceofviolence,especiallythoseinvolvingtheuseofagun.Accordingtothe2015DelawareHouseholdHealthSurveyconductedbytheDelawarePublicHealthInstitute,threeinfive(61percent)ofadultslivinginthecenteroftheCityofWilmingtonreportedwitnessingviolenceintheircommunityonmorethanoneoccasion/manytimes.Ofthetotalcitypopulation,19,686arechildrenandyouth(updatedbytheDelawarePopulationConsortiumfor2016),86%arereceivingsomeformofpublicassistancefromtheState,withmanylivinginfamiliesinwhichthecaregiverisunemployedorunderemployedandnotabletoearnalivingwagetosupporttheirfamilies.Withinthispopulation,morethan1,500or7.3%arereceivingservicesfromtheState’sDepartmentofServicesforChildren,YouthandTheirFamilies(DSCYF).OfthepopulationreceivingservicesfromDSCYF,62.6%areengagedwiththeDivisionofFamilyServicesinwhichtherehasbeenasubstantiatedreportofabuseorneglect;16.2%areinvolvedwiththeDivisionofYouthRehabilitativeServices,thejuvenilejusticedivision;12.3%arereceivingservicesfromtheDivisionofPreventionandBehavioralHealth,and8.4%arereceivingservicesfromtwoormoreofthedivisions.
Ofthetotalcitypopulation,19,686arechildrenandyouth,86%arereceivingsomeformofpublic
assistancefromtheState,withmanylivinginfamiliesinwhichthecaregiveris
unemployedorunderemployedandnotabletoearnalivingwagetosupporttheirfamilies.
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Thecity’schildrenandyouthattendschoolsgovernedbyfivetraditionalschooldistrictsand17charterschooldistricts.During2015,378youthwereadjudicateddelinquentandorderedtoreceiveservicesbasedontheleveloftheirrisk,determinedbyanassessment.Duringthissameperiod,manyyouthweresuspendedorexpelledandrequiredtoattendanalternativeschoolforaperiodoftime.In2014,16%ofyouthdroppedoutofschool(WilmingtonEducationImprovementCommission).AccordingtotheNationalSurveyforChildren’sHealth,morethan60%ofWilmingtonchildrenhaveexperiencedsomeformoftraumaintheirlives,with27.5%havingtwoormoreadverseexperiences,comparedtotheDelawareaverageof22.8%.WhenthedatafromtheChristianaCareHealthSystememergencydepartmentfor2015isexamined,23youth,or6%ofthetotalpopulationserved,cametoreceivemedicalassistanceduetobeingavictimofaviolentact,i.e.,gunshotwound,stabwound,orassault.Thepicturethatthesedatapresentisthatwehaveapopulationofyouthwhoareinseriouscrisisandneedhelptogetbackontrack.Theyneedoursupporttoovercometheriskfactorsintheirlivesandtodeveloptheassetsneededtoberesilientandgrowuphealthy.LiteratureReviewPartofthechargeoftheCouncilwastobecomefamiliarwiththeevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesinDelawareandelsewherebeingusedtopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositiveyouthdevelopment.ThatreviewdrewextensivelyfromtheresourcesoftheCDC;theAnnieE.CaseyFoundation;USDHHSChildren’sBureauChildWelfareGateway;thePreventionCenter’sUNITYinitiative,IncreaseThrivingYouthThroughViolencePrevention;andtheCenterforSubstanceAbusePrevention/NationalPreventionNetwork.TheCDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention,createdtheStrivingtoReduceYouthViolenceEverywhere(STRYVE)initiativetohelpbuildthecapacityofcommunitiestopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmentbyworkingthroughlocalpublichealthdepartmentsinselectedcities.Aspartofthatinitiative,itcreatedtheSTRYVEStrategiesSelectorTooltoidentifywhatisknownaboutprovenstrategiesthatworkinpreventingviolenceandimprovingoutcomesforyouthandwhatishappeningwithincommunities.TheSTRVYEOnlinedatabaseincludesanextensivecollectionofresourcematerialsonevidence-basedandpromisingpracticestoaidcommunitiesindevelopinglocalplanstopreventviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmentamongyouth.Inarelatedinitiative,theAnnieE.CaseyFoundationhassponsoredaninitiativetohelpselectedcommunitiesandstatestorestructuretheirdeliveryofservicesforchildrenandyouthtoreinvestthoseresourcesinevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesprovento
Thepicturethatthesedatapresentisthatwehavea
populationofyouthwhoareinseriouscrisisandneedhelptogetbackontrack.Theyneedoursupporttoovercometheriskfactorsintheirlivesandtodeveloptheassetsneededtoberesilient
andgrowuphealthy.
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improveoutcomesforchildrenandyouth.AspartoftheEvidence2Successinitiative,theysupportedtheuseofBlueprintsforHealthyYouthDevelopment,anevidence-basedandpromisingpracticedatabase,throughtheUniversityofColoradoatBoulder.ThethirdmajorresourceinthisreviewwasthePreventionCenter’sUNITYinitiative.Thisinitiativeisdedicatedtohelpingcommunitiestodevelopandsustaineffortstopreventyouthviolencebeforeitoccurs,includingthoseinvolvedwiththeCDC’sSTRYVEinitiative.Toestablishastrongfoundationformakingrecommendationsgroundedinevidence-basedandpromisingpractices,theCouncilalsoreviewedthefollowing(SeeAppendixBformoreinformation):
1. PreventingYouthViolence,awebinarproducedbytheCDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControlaspartoftheirGrandRoundsSeries.Thiswebinarpresentsanoverviewofevidence-basedapproachesandpartnershipsthatareneededtopreventyouthviolenceanditsconsequences.
2. PreventingYouthViolence:OpportunitiesforAction,amanualdevelopedbytheCDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention,tohelpcommunitiesdevelopactionplansforpreventingyouthviolence,includingthosedrawnonthebestpracticesthathavebeenshowntoworkincommunitiesacrossthecountry.Itofferedanumberofsuggestionsforactionsthatindividualsandcommunitiescouldtaketopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopment.
3. Minneapolis,MinnesotaBlueprintforActiontoPreventYouthViolence,aplandevelopedin2012-13bytheMinneapolisHealthDepartmentincollaborationwithanetworkofcommunityandgovernmentagencies,aimedatpreventingyouthviolenceintheircity.Updatedfromtheirfirstplanin2008,thisplanwasbasedontheframeworkdevelopedbytheNationalForumonPreventionofYouthViolencethroughthefederalOfficeofJuvenileJusticeandDelinquencyPrevention(OJJDP).Theforumisanetworkofcitiesandfederalagenciesthatworktogether,shareinformation,andbuildlocalcapacity.TheNationalForum’sstrategicplanningprocessprovidedtheframeworkforengagingcommunitypartners,collectingandsharingrelevantdataandinformation,andrevisingtheBlueprint.AscitedinthereferencestotheCDCReport,theplancallsforbetteralignment,integration,andutilizationofexistingservicesandprogramsandsomeadditionalservicestoaddressgapsidentifiedintheexistingcontinuum.
4. PromotingProtectiveFactorsforIn-RiskFamiliesandYouth:AGuideforPractitioners–Asummaryoftheprotectivefactorswithstrongevidenceforpromotingpositivedevelopmentinhigh-riskchildrenandyouth.
5. PreventionWorks!PreventionHandbook-AguidepreparedbytheCenterforSubstanceAbusePrevention/NationalPreventionNetworktohelppreventionserviceproviderstounderstandtheprinciplesofpreventionprogrammingand
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resourcesthatareavailabletosupportthemintheirefforts.Itisanexcellentreferenceonthelevelsofpreventionandinterventionservicestargetedtothelevelofrisksexperiencedbytheyouth.
6. BestPracticesinWraparound–Asummaryofrecommendationsforintegratingservicesforchildrenwithhighriskandneedsbasedonresearchofwhatiseffectivethathasbeenconductedoverseveralyears.
7. Patient-andFamily-CenteredCareCoordination:AFrameworkforIntegratingCareforChildrenandYouthAcrossMultipleSystems-AnarticlepublishedbytheAmericanAcademyofPediatricsthatdescribesthedimensionsofcarecoordinationthatareimportanttoimprovingpatientoutcomes.
8. ExploringtheMeso-System:TheRolesofCommunity,Family,andPeersin
AdolescentDelinquencyandPositiveYouthDevelopment-AnarticlerecentlypublishedinYouthandSociety,2016,Vol.48(3)318–343,thatexploresthepositiverolethatcommunityassets,especiallylinkagestoinstitutionalresourcesandcaringpeople,canplayinpromotingpositiveyouthdevelopmentandresiliency.
9. CommunityEngagementMattersMoreThanEver-Anarticlepublishedbythe
StanfordSocialInnovationReviewthatdescribeshowdataandevidence-basedpracticescanhelpcommunityleaderstobemoreeffectivelyandauthenticallyengagementcommunitystakeholdersincollectiveeffortstoaffectsocialchange.
10. EssentialsforChildhood:StepstoCreateSafe,Stable,NurturingRelationshipsandEnvironments-AguidecreatedbytheCDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,intendedtopromotepositivedevelopmentofchildrenandfamiliesandpreventchildabuse.
11. ConnectingtheDots:AnOverviewoftheLinksAmongMultipleFormsofViolence–AdocumentpublishedbytheCDCandthePreventionInstitute,toshareresearchontheconnectionsamongdifferentformsofviolencecategorizedbyriskandprotectivefactors,whichdescribeshowtheseconnectionsimpactthecommunity.
12. AdverseCommunityExperiencesandResilience-Aframeworkforaddressing
andpreventingcommunitytrauma,developedbythePreventionInstitute’sUNITYinitiative.
13. StrategicFinancingToolkitforTested,EffectivePrograms–AtoolkitpublishedbytheAnnieE.CaseyFoundationtohelpstatesandlocalcommunitiestoplanandimplementstrategiesforinvestinginevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesinprogramsthatleadtopositiveoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies.
GuidingFramework
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Throughoutthedeliberations,theCouncilestablishedacoresetofprinciplestoguidethedevelopmentofitsrecommendations.Thosecoreprinciplesarearticulatedasfollows:
• PublicHealthModel–usedthisapproachtodefinetheproblemtobeaddressed,researchedtherootcauses,determinedtheprogramsandpoliciesthatwork,i.e.,evidence-basedorpromisingpractices,anddevelopedsolutionstorecommend(CDC)
• SocialEcologicalModelofChange–consideredthemultiplelevelsofthesocialecologyfromtheindividualtofamilyandfriends,schoolsandcommunityorganizations,thecommunityasawhole,andpublicpoliciesthatmustbeinfluencedinordertomakesustainablechangewithindividuals,organizations,andcommunities(TheEcologyofHumanDevelopment,UrieBronfenbrenner)
• SocialDeterminantsofHealth–addressedthefactorsthatmustbeinfluencedto
createsocialandphysicalenvironmentsthatpromotegoodhealthandwell-being(HealthyPeople2020)
• RiskandProtectiveFactors–identifiedtheprotectivefactorsthatservetobuffer
orprovideprotectionfromaproblemthatarisesandfosterresiliency,suchasclosepersonalrelationships,awarenessoftheexistenceofpositivesocialstructure,andfeelingsofsafety;andexaminedtheriskfactorsthatincreasethelikelihoodthataproblemwilldevelop,suchaslivinginhigh-needneighborhoods;nothavingaccesstoemploymentandsafe,stablehousing;andexperiencingtraumaticevents(ChildWelfareInformationGateway)
• DevelopmentalAssetsModel–identifiedtheexistenceofpositiveassetsthathelp
youthtodeveloporexperienceprotectivefactors(SearchInstitute)
• ModelforLevelofPreventionServices–usedthreecategoriesbasedonlevelsofrisk,i.e.universal,selected,andindicated,todefinetheintensityofservicestobeprovidedtoyouthtoreduceviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopment(PreventionWorks!,SAMHSANationalCenterforSubstanceAbuse)
o “Universal”-describesservicesprovidedtoyouthlivinginhigh-needsneighborhoods
o “Selected”-describesservicesprovidedtoyouthattheearliestindicationofadetectableproblem,e.g.,thoseyouthwhomayhavehadadversechildhoodexperiencesandthosewhomaybeactivewiththeDSCYF,butareunlikelytogodeeperintothe“servicesystem”duetotheirhavingsomeprotectivefactorstokeepthemonapositivetrack
o “Indicated”-describesservicesprovidedtoyouthwhoareathighriskbasedondetectableproblems,e.g.,thoseyouthactivewithDSCYF,havecommittedmoreseriousoffenses,andarelikelytogodeeperintothejuvenilejusticesystemintheabsenceofadequateprotectivefactors
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• Evidence-basedandPromisingPractices–identifiedtheapproachesandpracticesthathavebeenproventhroughevaluationresearchtobeeffectiveinpreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopment(CDCReport,CDCSTRYVEOnlineDatabase,BluePrintsforHealthyCommunitiesDatabase)
o Universalschoolandcommunitybasedviolenceprevention,suchasCompassionateSchools,behavioralhealthconsultantsinschools,CommunitySchools,IM40DevelopmentalAssetsProgram
o Parentingskillsandfamilyrelationshipapproaches,suchasStrengtheningFamilies,PeerCoaches,andCommunityConnectors
o Intensiveyouthandfamily-focusedapproaches,suchasMulti-systemicTherapy,FunctionalFamilyTherapy,andTrauma-focusedCognitiveBehavioralTherapy
o Policy,environmental,andstructuralapproaches,suchasincreasingaccesstoqualityafter-schoolprogramming
o Streetoutreachandcommunitymobilization,suchastheCureViolenceProgram
• PopulationandPerformanceAccountabilityModel–usedamodelofpopulationandperformanceaccountabilitytoframehowstakeholdershaveasharedresponsibilityforworkingtogethertoachievepopulationlevelresultstopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmentandhowserviceprovidershavearesponsibilityforofferingprogramsandserviceswithfidelitybasedonthebestevidenceorpromisingpractices,i.e.qualityofeffort;thatdemonstratehowyoutharebetteroffforhavingcompletedthoseservicesorprograms,i.e.,qualityofeffect(TryingHardIsNotGoodEnough,MarkFriedman)
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Evidence-BasedandPromisingPracticeReviewFindingsAnimportantpartoftheCouncil’sworkwastolearnfromtheorganizationsthatareprovidingservicesandoperatingprogramsengagingyouthintheCityofWilmington.(RefertoAppendixCforamapofprogramsandservices.)Tothatend,duringtheperiodofJunetoSeptember2016,theCouncilcollecteddatafromcommunitystakeholderstodeterminewhatisworkingwellinpromotingpositiveyouthdevelopmentandpreventingyouthviolence,includingevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesthatarecurrentlybeingused;whatarethegaps;andhowcouldcommunityandstateservicesforyouthbebetterintegrated.Ofspecialinterestwasthelevelofriskoftheyouthtowhomtheprogramsaretargeted;i.e.,“Universal”forallyouth,“Selected”foryouthatmoderaterisk,and“Indicated”foryouthathighrisk.Forthepurposesofthiswork,youthtargetedfor“Universal”servicesareconsideredtobeatriskbyvirtueoftheirlivinginhighneedsneighborhoods.Youthat“moderate”risktargetedfor“Selected”servicesarethoseyouthwhomayhavehadadversechildhoodexperiencesand/ormaybeactivewiththeDepartmentofServicesforChildren,Youth,andtheirFamilies(DSCYF),butareunlikelytogodeeperintotheservicesystemduetotheirhavingsomeprotectivefactorstokeepthemonapositivetrack.Thoseyouthat“high”risktargetedfor“Indicated”servicesarethoseyouthwhoareactivewithDSCYF,havecommittedmoreseriousoffenses,andarelikelytogodeeperintothejuvenilejusticesystemintheabsenceofadequateprotectivefactors.Thesedefinitionswereusedasproxiesfordefiningthecriteriathatcouldbeincludedinpredictivetoolsforidentifyinghigh-riskyouthforpreventionandearlyinterventionservicesasrecommendedbytheCDCinitsreport.Aspartofthisdatacollection,theCouncilsurveyed79programsoperatedbystateandcommunityorganizationsinthecityandheldlisteningsessionswithstateandcommunityorganizations,parents,youth,andyouth-servingprofessionals.Fifty-six(56)programsresponded,providinginformationonthepurpose(s)oftheirprogram(s),targetpopulation(s),levelofintervention,useofevidence-basedpractices,andevaluationsconducted.DataAnalysisandFindingsOverviewBasedonself-reporting,ofthe56respondents,34%oftheprogramswerecategorizedasbeing“Universal”orforallyouth,30%as“Selected”foryouthatmoderaterisk,and30%as“Indicated”foryouthathighrisk.Intermsofage,86%oftheprogramswereaimedatmiddleschooland86%athighschoolagedyouth,while38%wereaimedatelementary
Aspartofthisdatacollection,theCouncilsurveyed79programsoperatedbystateandcommunityorganizationsintheCityandheldlisteningsessionswithstateand
communityorganizations,parents,youth,andyouth-serving
professionals.
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school-agedchildren.(Someprogramsservedmorethanoneagegroup.)Morethanhalfor57%usedsomeevidence-basedorpromisingpracticeastheframeworkfortheirprogram.Intermsoftheprogrammaticfocifortheirprogram,38%identifiedyouthviolencepreventionasaleadingfocus.Otherfociincludededucation(43%),substanceabuseprevention(38%),mentalhealth(38%),suicideprevention(21%)andemployment(21%).Slightlymorethanhalfoftherespondentsindicatedthattheydidsomelevelofevaluationontheirprograms.Only8%indicatedthattheyhadawaitinglistfortheirprograms.UniversalServicesforYouthLivinginHigh-NeedsNeighborhoodsThenextlevelofanalysisfocusedonprogramsinwhichtherespondentsindicatedthattheprogramswereopentoallyouthwhowereinterestedinparticipating.(Aspreviouslystated,34%oftheprogramsincludedinthereviewwerecategorizedasproviding“Universal”services.)Theseprogramswerereviewedtodeterminethosethataimedatservingyouthandtheirfamilies,weregroundedinevidence-basedorpromisingpractices,demonstratingqualityofeffort,especiallythosetargetingviolenceprevention.(PleaserefertoAppendixDforthechartofviolencepreventionprogramsforyouthlivinginhigh-needneighborhoods.)Theanalysisoftheseprogramsrevealedthefollowing:
• Whenoneconsidersthetotalnumberofyouthservedbytheseprograms(approximately5,800youthduplicatedcount),theyareservingabout32%ofthepopulationofchildren/youthages5to17years,livinginhigh-needsneighborhoodsofthecity.(QuantityofEffort)
• Itappearsthattherearenotenoughevidence-basedprogramsinhigh-needsneighborhoodstoengagealloftheyouthwhoneedthatsupport.Thesurveyindicatedtherearemoreprogramsservingyouth,buttheydonotappeartobegroundedinthebestevidence.
• Theredoesnotappeartobeanysignificantsystematicintegrationofservicesamongtheprovidersofthoseservices.
SelectedandIndicatedServicesforModerate-toHigh-RiskYouthTheanalysisoftheprogramdatarevealedthat30%oftheprogramswerecategorizedbytherespondentsastargetedtoyouthatmoderaterisk,i.e.“Selected”services,and30%wereforyouthathighrisk,i.e.,“Indicated”services.Thisprogramdatawerefurtherreviewedtodeterminewhichoftheseprogramsshouldbestudiedingreaterdetail.Thecriteriausedincludedthefollowing:
• MustserveyouthintheCityofWilmington• Mustbefocusedonservingyouthatmoderate(SelectedService)orhighrisk
(IndicatedService)
Whenoneconsidersthetotalnumberofyouth
servedbytheseprograms(approximately5,800youthduplicatedcount),theyareservingabout32%ofthe
populationofchildren/youthages5to17years,livinginhigh-needsneighborhoodsofthecity.
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• Mustindicatethatoneoftheprogram’smainpurposesistopreventyouthviolence• Mustbegroundedinevidence-basedorpromisingpractices• Musthavesomeformofevaluation
Basedonthosecriteria,11programswereselectedforfurtherstudy.TheorganizationsthatoperatethoseprogramswereinvitedtomeetingswithCouncilmemberstoshareinformationabouttheefforttodelivertheirprogramsandeffectthattheirprogramshaveontheyouthwhocompletethem.Ofthe11,thefollowingeightprogramswereabletoparticipate:
• CeaseViolenceWilmington• ChildrenandFamiliesFirst–FunctionalFamilyTherapy• ChristianaCare-AllianceforAdolescentPregnancyPrevention• ChristinaCulturalArtsCenter-HeartUndertheHoodieYouthViolencePrevention
Program• YMCA-BackonTrack• VisionQuest• WraparoundDelaware• YouthAdvocateProgram
(Note:ThedataincludedintheexaminationfromtheYouthEmpowermentProgram,Duffy’sHope,andSWAGGwerecollectedseparately.)Thedataanalysisoftheeffortandeffectoftheseprogramsissummarizedinthechartsonviolencepreventionprogramsformoderate-andhigh-riskyouth.(PleaserefertoAppendixEforthechartsofviolencepreventionprogramsformoderate-andhigh-riskyouth.)Thefindingsfromtheanalysisinclude:
• Theprogramsaredemonstratingqualityofeffortinthattheyareusingevidence-basedpracticesandqualityofeffectintermsofthemeasurableoutcomes
• Manyoftheprogramsforhigh-riskyoutharelimitedtothoseinlevel4careoftheStateDivisionofYouthRehabilitativeServices.
• Thereappearstobeaneedformoreon-goingsupportforyouthtransitioningfromlevel4servicestothecommunitytoensuretheydonotrecidivate.
• Giventhatthereareapproximately17,686childrenandyouthatmoderaterisklivinginthecity,theredoesnotappeartobeasufficientquantityofservicesaccessibletomoderate-riskyouthgroundedinthebestevidencetohelpthemachievepositiveoutcomesandpreventthemfromengaginginactsofviolence.
• Theservicesthatexistdonotappeartobewellintegratedorworkingtogetherina
Manyoftheprogramsforhigh-riskyoutharelimitedtothoseinlevel4careofthe
StateDivisionofYouthRehabilitativeServices.
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seamlessmanner,andhencetheneedformoreindividualizedsupportsthroughcasemanagementformoderate-riskyouth.
CommunityEngagementListeningSessionswithCommunityStakeholdersandFindingsDuringthecourseoftheCouncil’smeetings,focusgroups,listeningsessions,andsubcommitteehearings,severalthemesemerged,aswellasstrengthsandgapsinpreventionservices.TheCouncilwasaskedtoengagecommunitymembers,keystakeholders,andserviceprovidersaroundstrategiestostrengthenpreventionservices.TheCDC’sCommunityAdvisoryCouncil,withtheoperativewordsbeingCommunityAdvisory,recognizedandacknowledgedthatchangecannotandwillnotoccurwithoutthecommunity’sinputandsupport;therefore,itistheresponsibilityoftheCounciltoensurethatthecommunity’svoiceformsthefoundationofanyandallrecommendations.ThefollowingsummaryreflectsthethoughtsandconcernsasexpressedbycommunitymembersandkeystakeholdersonthestrengthsandgapsinpreventionservicescurrentlybeingofferedinWilmington.
Therewerefivethemesthatresonatedinallthesessions:1)theneedformentorship;2)employmentforyoungpeopletoearnandlearn;3)greatereducationalopportunities,e.g.,highschoolgraduationandpost-secondary;4)relationshipdevelopment;and5)mentalhealthcare(theyouthoftenreferredtoitas“angermanagement”andtheserviceprovidersreferredtoitas“trauma-informedcare”).Fortunately,UnitedWayofDelaware,theDivisionforPreventionandBehavioralHealthServices,andtheDivisionofYouthRehabilitativeServices,whichareimportantcommunitystakeholdersandcouncilmembers,haveallocatedresourcestoprogramsaimedatbuildinguponthesethemes.Whiletheseagencies,andmanyothersnotmentioned,seektointegrateservicestoprovidethemaximumlevelofcarebasedonmodelsofbestpractices,therestillexistwhatamountstocriticalgapsinservices.GapsinPreventionServicesThemostpertinentgapsinservices,accordingtotheCouncil’spreliminaryfindings,arepresentedinthefollowingparagraphs.Thelistdoesnotrepresentahierarchalorder.
1. Gapsinservicesasitrelatestotherecruitmentofopportunityyouth,ages16-24notemployedandnotinschool.ItwasbroughttotheCouncil’sattentionbycommunitycentersandrecreationalfacilities,morespecificallythoseoperatingas“safe-havens,”thatitwasdifficulttorecruitorsustaintheengagementofyouthbetweentheagesof16-24.ThisparticularfindingwasofspecialinteresttotheCouncilbecause43%oftheshootingvictimsbetweenJanuary1,2011andJuly31,2016werenestedwithinthisagecohort.
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2. Gapsinservicesasaresultofpolicies.Organizations,communitycenters,andrecreationalsitesthatserveaschildcarecentersmentionedhowpolicyprohibitsthemfromhostingchildrenolderthan14yearsofageuntil6pmiftheydonothaveaseparateroomfortheiractivities.Currently,thestandingpolicyimpedesavulnerablepopulationaccesstosuchsitesastheWilmingtonPoliceAthleticLeague(NorthSide),BrownsBoysandGirlsClub(Parkside),KingswoodCommunityCenter(Riverside),andHilltopLutheranNeighborhoodHouse(WestSide).ManyofthesefacilitiesarelocatedinwhatCeaseViolenceWilmingtonlabeledas“hotspots”--neighborhoodswherethemajorityofshootingsoccur.Coincidentally,these”hotspots”hosthighratesofunemploymentandpercentagesofpeopleinpoverty.(PleaserefertoAppendixFforamapshowingthe“hotspots”forshootinglocationsfortheperiodJanuary-June2016).Itisunlikelytheyouthbeingdeniedaccesstothesefacilitiesarefinanciallycapableofaffordingprivateafterschoolcare.Itwasmentionedatameetingthatwhentherulesandpoliciesgetinthewayofthemission,therulesandpoliciesshouldbechanged.
3. Gapsinservicewhenyouthtransitionfromjuvenilepreventionsystemtotheadultpreventionsystem.Severalagenciesrecognizedtheinabilityofthepreventionnetworktoproperlyaddressanindividual’sneedswhentheybecomeanadultand,thereforeageoutofthejuvenilepreventionsystem.Accordingtoareliablesource,thiswaslargelybasedonfundingandhowthecostwouldbecovered.Morepointedly,ajuvenile’smentalhealthcarecouldbeprovidedthroughMedicaidorotherinsurance,whereas,anadultwasonlycoveredundercertaincircumstances.
4. Gapsinservicesforyouthreenteringthepublicschoolsystemanddiffusionof
resourcesacrossStateagencies.Therearegapsinservicesastheyrelatetoyouth’sre-entryintopublicschoolfromFerrisSchool,theDetentionCenter,oranAlternativeSchool.Interestingly,theyouthwerecriticaloftheservicesbeingprovidedwhileinatreatmentcenteroralternativeschool,whereastheserviceprovidersweremoreconcernedaboutthelackofservicesbeingprovidedtoassistyouthinreadjustingtopublicschool.
StrengthsinPreventionServicesInadditiontoactivelyengagingthecommunitytotakeownershipinthisendeavor,othernotablestrengthsemergedfromtheCouncil’spreliminaryexaminationofpreventionservices.First,theCouncilwasabletoassembleanarrayofculturallycompetent
Organizations,communitycenters,andrecreationalsitesthatserveaschildcarecentersmentionedhowpolicyprohibitsthemfromhostingchildrenolderthan14yearsofageuntil6pmiftheydonothaveaseparateroom
fortheiractivities.
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individualswithanexpertiseinthefieldofprevention.Moreimportantly,theseindividualsrecognizedtheneedtoworkasacollectivegroupratherthaninsilos.Second,thecommunity,civicleaders,policymakers,andserviceprovidersrealizedtheneedformental/behavioralhealthservices.Finally,itshallbereiteratedthatthebiggeststrengthinpreventionistheadultcommunity’swillingnesstoworkrelentlesslyforchange,andthismissioncannotcomeintofruitionwithoutthesupportandguidancefromthecommunity.Todate,thecommunitysupportstheeffortsoftheCouncil.
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RecommendationsTheCounciloffersitsrecommendationsinthecontextofpromotingcommunityandindividualresilience,movingfromtraumatowell-bring.Ouryouthneedtoliveincaringcommunitiesthathelpthemdeveloppositivepersonalandsocialassetsforresiliencythathavethefeaturesdescribedbelow:
• Basicneedsaremet–crisisandemergencyneedssuchasphysicalhealth,mentalhealth,food,clothing,shelteretc.
• Physicalandpsychologicalspacewheretheyfeelsafeandsecurethatprovidesocialemotionalandmoralsupport
• Opportunitiestoexperiencesupportiverelationshipsfromcaringandcompetentadults,mentors,coaches,teacher,neighbors,andcounselors
• Opportunitiestolearnhowtoformclose,durablerelationshipswithpeersthatsupportandreinforcehealthybehaviors
• Opportunitiestofeelasenseofbelongingandbeingvaluedintheclassroom,schoolandcommunity
• Opportunitiestodeveloppositivesocialvaluesandnormsthatareconnectedtootherresourcesoutsidetheschool
• Opportunitiesthatfocusonpersonalpathwaystosuccessinschoolandcommunity
• Structurethatisdevelopmentallyappropriate,withclearandconsistentboundariesandexpectationsforbehavior
• Engagementinthecreationofspaceandprogramsthatareyouthcentric
• Settingsthataddressindividualandcommunitytrauma
Therecommendationsthatfollowaregroundedinfiveapproaches:fosteringviolence-freeenvironments,promotingpositiveopportunitiesandconnectionstotrustedadultsforallyouth,interveningwithyouthandfamiliesatthefirstsignofrisk,restoringyouthwhohavegonedownthewrongpath,andprotectingchildrenandyouthfromviolenceinthecommunity.Fortheseapproachestoworkmosteffectively,thereneedstobestrongserviceintegrationamongschools,communityorganizations,andDSCYF.
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Recommendation1:Fosterviolence-freeenvironmentsandpromotepositiveopportunitiesandconnectionstotrustedadultsforallyouth(UniversalService)
1. Buildthecapacityofcommunitycenterstoworkcollectivelytoservemoreyouthwithevidence-basedorpromisingpracticeprogramsaimedatviolencepreventiontoachievecollectiveimpactinpreventingviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopmentandresiliency.
a. Provideavarietyofculturallyappropriateofferingstoappealtothediverseinterestsofyouth,includingthevisualarts,music,recreation,sports,financialliteracy,andotherenrichmentprogramstoexpandtheirawarenessoflifeopportunities,andbeofferedduringafter-school,evenings,andweekends,yearround.
b. Activelyengagetheyouthinthedesignandimplementation.c. ProvidemoreresourcestotheDSCYFtoexpandthecapacityofcommunity
centerstoofferyear-roundprogramsasspecifiedabove.
2. Buildthecapacityofschoolsandcommunitycenterstoalignandintegratetheirefforts.
a. OffermorejointprogrammingasdescribedinRecommendation1.b. Embedmoreculturallyappropriatesocial-emotionallearningandtrauma-
informedpracticeintheirprograms,suchasa“ritesofpassage”program.c. Partnerwithfamiliestohelpthemstrengthentheirresiliencyinproviding
safe,caringenvironmentsfortheiryouth.
3. Investinayear-roundemploymentprogram,includingsummeremployment,withwork-basedlearningandserviceopportunitiesthatprovideyouthandyoungadults(ages16-24)withmeaningfulcareerpathwaysandaccesstoneededservices,i.e.“earnandlearn.”
a. Buildapilottotestthisapproachbyengagingagroupfromthebusinesscommunitywhowouldbewillingtofundthestart-upcostsandpartnerwithnonprofitcommunityorganizationsthatpossessasuccessfultrackrecordinoperatingyouthemploymentinitiativestofostercareerdevelopmentandgeneratemeaningful“earnandlearn”opportunitiesforyouth.
4. Createalearningcommunityofthecentersandschoolstooffercollectiveprofessionaldevelopment,trainingandadditionalresourcestofosterastrongcommunityofpracticewithsharedoutcomes,inareassuchasevidence-basedprogramsandtrauma-informedpractices.
5. Developapilotforajoint“RequestforResults”withtheDSCYF,DHSS,DepartmentofEducation(DOE),DepartmentofLabor(DOL),DelawareCriminalJusticeCouncil,localgovernment,andUnitedWayofDelawaretoaligntheirfundingtosupportcontractsfortheprogrammingspecifiedinrecommendations1–3above.
a. TheRFRwouldemphasizeusingevidence-basedorpromisingpractices
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deliveredinahighlyintegratedmannertoachievespecificresultsthataresharedamongtheproviders,notsimplyproposalsofactivities.Itwouldsupportprofessionaldevelopmentinthisapproachtoachievingcollectiveimpacttoimproveyouthoutcomes.
b. Encouragethephilanthropiccommunitytoembracetheprinciplesoutlinedherein.
Recommendation2:Intervenewithyouthandfamiliesatthefirstsignofrisk(SelectedService)
1. Buildamulti-tieredidentificationandservicereferralsystemtoidentifyyouthwhoareatvaryinglevelsofrisk,basedoncriteriasuchasexposuretotrauma,transitioningbetweengradelevelsandschools,fiveormoreabsencesfromschoolforanyreasonduringayear,truancy,behavioralreferrals,orinschooloroutofschoolsuspension,andconnectthemtoneededserviceswithcasemanagement/carecoordination.
a. Provideaccessthroughschool/studentsupportteams,healthcareproviders,communityorganizations,oroptionsforself-referral.
b. ScreenyouthtoidentifyneedsformakingreferralsforservicesusingtheAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACE)questionnaire,e.g.theUrbanACEversiondevelopedforthePhiladelphiaACETaskForce.
c. Referyouthforneededserviceswithcasemanagement/carecoordinationsupporttoensureyouthareconnectedtotheproviders,andservicesaresuccessfullycompleted.
i. ConsiderengagingthebehavioralhealthsupportsfromtheDSCYFalreadyinelementaryandmiddleschoolsandtheschool-basedhealthcentersinhighschoolstohelpwiththisfunction.
d. Integrateserviceswithschoolsandcommunityprovidersworkingtogethertoprovidesupporttotheyouthandtheirfamilies,preferablywithonecaremanager/carecoordinator.
e. Engageandsupportfamiliesintheprocess.f. Furtherexplorethedevelopmentandimplementationofapredictivetoolfor
theearlyidentificationofyouthatriskofcommittingviolentacts.g. Buildapilottotesttheapproachusingahealthcareprovider,middle
orhighschool,oracommunityschooltodothescreeningandputaprocessinplaceforidentifyingthereferralresourcesanddoingthecasemanagement/carecoordination.
2. Buildthecapacityofschoolsandcommunitycenterstoaddressissuesthatimpactyouthatmoderaterisktokeepthemfromgoingdeeperintocrisisandneedingmoreintensiveservices.
a. Providemoresocialworkandbehavioralhealthsupportsonsite.b. Embedtrauma-informedpracticesintheirworkwithyouth,suchasusing
theCompassionateSchoolevidence-basedmodel.c. Engageandsupportfamiliesinfosteringsafe,caringenvironmentsand
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promotingpositivedevelopmentintheiryouth.d. Increasethequantityoftheservicesaccessibletomoderate-riskyouth
groundedinthebestevidencetomeetthedemand.e. Encouragetheuniversaltraumascreeningofyouthaspartofroutinemedical
screeningsinprimarycaresettingsandschoolbasedhealthcenterswithreferralforinterventionasindicated.
3. Usethejoint“RFR”processdescribedunderUniversalServicesabovetocontractforservicesneededatthislevel.
Recommendation3:Restoreyouthwhohavegonedownthewrongpath(IndicatedService)
1. Increasethelevelofsupportforyouth(ages16to24)transitioningbacktotheirhomes,schoolandcommunitiesortransitioningbetweentheyouthandadultservicesystemsthatisbasedonpersonalizeddevelopmentpathwaystowardsuccesswithappropriateservicesandon-goingcasemanagementsupport.
2. Providecasemanagement/carecoordinationsupportaslongasitisneededtohelpyouthbesuccessfulandnotrecidivate.
3. Buildapilotforthisapproachbydevelopingaone-stop“YouthWellnessCenter”atoneofthecommunitycenters,modeledaftertheHopeCommissionAchievementCenter,aprogramforex-offendersreturningtothecommunity.Aftertesting,determineifthismodelcouldbereplicatedinothercommunitycenters.
4. Usethejoint“RFR”processdescribedaboveunderUniversalServicestocontractforservicesneededatthislevel.
Recommendation4:Protectchildrenandyouthfromviolenceinthecommunity
1. Increasesupportforoutreachprogramsthatengagethecommunityincreatingandsustainingacultureandenvironmentthatpreventviolenceandpromotepositiveyouthdevelopment,suchastheCureViolenceevidence-basedmodel.Theprogramsshouldseektode-escalateconflictsandreducethelikelihoodofretaliation.
2. Organizedialogueamongdiversecommunitystakeholders,includingprimarycareandbehavioralhealthproviders,communityorganizations,Stateandlocalgovernmentofficials,businesses,privatefunders,andthefaith-basedcommunity,toidentifyhowsocialproblems,suchasinstitutionalracismanddiscriminationcontributetoyouthviolenceandhowopendialoguecouldleadtosolutionsforprevention.
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3. Conveneorganizationsthatarepromotingpeaceandnon-violencetosharewhattheyareworkingonandexploreandactonopportunitiesforcollaboration.
4. Supportcapacitybuildingofschoolsandserviceprovidersinordertoincreasetheircompetencyinworkingwithyouthlivinginhigh-needcommunitiesinaculturallycompetentmanner.
5. Supportexistingeffortstoembedtrauma-informedpracticeineveryaspectofworkingwithyouthandtheirfamiliestofostercommunityresiliencytocombatthenegativeimpactofadversechildhoodexperiencesonindividualandcommunityhealthandwellbeing.
Recommendation5:Integrateservices
1. Developandpilotamodelfortheintegrationofdirectservicesandstudentdatasharingforchildren,youth,andtheirfamiliesengagingschooldistricts,schools,communityorganizations,hospitalsystems,localgovernment,DOE,DOJ,DOLandDSCYFtoimproveoutcomesfortheirpositivedevelopmentandlong-termsuccess.
a. Establishacentralstudentdataandserviceoversightentityasapublic-privatecollaboration,broadlysupportedbymultipleState,school,andcommunitystakeholders.
i. Foritsformation,researchandlearnfromthesuccessfulcreationofothercommunity-based,student-centeredinitiativesand,whereappropriate,replicatefromthesemodels.
1. TheYouthMasterPlanpromotedbytheNationalLeagueofCities,providesatoolkitformunicipalleadersseekingtobuildcommunity-ledinitiatives.
2. ThePromisePartnershipmodelinSaltLakeCityexemplifiesworktobreakdownlegacysilosandrefocusavailablecommunityresourcesoncollectiveimpact.
ii. Withtheseframeworksasaguide,theoversightentitywillformallyengageschooldistrictleadershipindevelopingspecificgoalsforthiscollaborationmodel.
b. Initial,highlevelgoalsfortheoversightentitymustinclude:i. Architectingacommonplatformforschool-basedcoordinatorstobetternavigateandorchestrateavailableStateandcommunityresourcesonbehalfofeachstudentinneed.
1. ResearchintothesuccessfulCityConnectplatforminBostonshouldbereferencedinplanninganddesignofacommunitysolution.
2. InvestigatethePhiladelphia’sEducationSupportCenterwhichbringstogetherschoolsandcommunitypartnerstoprovidesupporttochildreninfostercare.
ii. Definingandprovidingprofessionaldevelopmentonthecommon
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systemandplatform,includingdefiningtheroleforaschool-basedcoordinatortohandletheprocess.
iii. Developmentofauniversalplaybookforeverychildthatsummarizestheprogramsandsupportsinplaceandistransferrableacrossorganizations.
iv. Fosteringgreaterconnectionsandpartnershipsbetweentheschools,school-basedhealthcenters,andhealthcaresystemsaspartofthecommonsystem.
v. Exploringtheintegrationofearlylearningprovidersinthesystem.vi. Buildingayear-onepilotforaminimumtwoschoolsfromeachcity
districttoparticipateincommonprogrammingoracollaborativeplatform.
2. Alignandintegratepolicies,programs,services,clientdatasharing,andresourcesforchildren,youth,andtheirfamiliesatthestatesystemsgovernancelevelthroughthecreationofastate-levelChildren’sCabinetCouncilundertheleadershipoftheGovernortoimproveoutcomesforthepositivedevelopmentandsuccessofDelaware’schildrenandyouth.
a. Developandmaintainanadvisorygroupwithrepresentativesfromlocalgovernment,andthenon-profit,business,andphilanthropiccommunitiestoprovideadvicetotheCabinetCouncil.
b. Aligntheworkofexistingstatecouncilsandlocalandstateinitiativesimpactingservicestochildren,youth,andtheirfamiliesundertheumbrellaoftheCabinetCouncilwithformallinesofcommunicationandsharedoutcomeswhereappropriate.
c. CreateastructureandoperatingagreementforsharingofdataamongtheCabinetCouncilmemberagenciesandschoolstobeabletoprovideintegratedservicestochildren,youth,andtheirfamilies.
d. Developachildren/youthbudgetandfinancingplantosupporttheintegratedservicesystemrecommendedwiththeabilitytoshiftfundsasneededwithspecificparameters.
e. Exploreand,wherefeasible,actonopportunitiesforintegrationofprogramsandservicesamongStateandlocalgovernments,e.g.,collaborationsamongState,CityofWilmington,andNewCastleCountyonmaintainingpublicparksassafeplacesforcommunityactivitiesandrecreation.
Recommendation6:Addresspolicyissuesthathaveunintendedadverseconsequencesforyouth
1. Researchandmitigatepolicyimpedimentstotheaccessibilityofcommunity-basedprogramsforyouth,suchasChildCareLicensingregulationsgoverningspaceandstaffingrequirements.Ifthispresentsasafetyissueforyoungchildren,provideadditionalfinancialresourcesthatwouldallowthesecommunityorganizationstohavededicatedspaceandsufficientstaff.
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2. Examinethepoliciesforyouthreenteringtraditionalpublicandcharterschoolsfromalternativesettingstoremovebarrierstotheircompletingtheireducationandgraduating.
3. Developpoliciesthatfacilitatethesharingofyouthspecificdataamongschools,DSCYF,DHSS,andDOEsoastoimprovetheearlydetectionofproblemsandconnectiontoneededserviceswithappropriatecasemanagement/carecoordination.
4. Examinetheschoolcodesofconductanddisciplinarypoliciestomakethemmoreequitableforyouthofdiversebackgroundsandmoreconducivetothemachievingeducationalsuccess.
5. Createpoliciestofacilitatethetransitionofyouthfromyouthtoadultmedicalandbehavioralhealthservicestoeliminatethegapsincoverageforneededservices.
IndicatorsofSuccessTheCouncilisfocusedonhowtobuildanintegrated,coordinatedsystemofqualityservicestopreventviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmenttomeettheneedsoftheyouth.TheCouncilwantstoensurethatyouthwhoneedmorecustomizedsupportsareidentifiedasearlyaspossibleandareconnectedtothoseservicesasquicklyandeffectivelyaspossible.Theservicesbeingprovidedneedtobegroundedinthebestevidenceavailable,i.e.,assuranceofqualityofeffort;needtobeofsufficientquantitytobeavailableandaccessibletotheyouthwhoneedthem,i.e.,quantityofeffort;andneedtohelptheservedyouthachievepositiveoutcomes,i.e.,qualityofeffect.InordertoachievethevisionforsuccessthattheCouncilhaslaidout,itwilltakeallsectorsworkingtogethertomakeimpactatthepopulationlevelusinga“publichealth”model.Accordingly,thatimpactwouldbemeasuredusingpopulationindicators,developedbyStateandlocalstakeholders,potentiallythroughtheproposed“Children’sCabinetCouncil”andthe“centralstudentdataandserviceentity”recommended.SpecificindicatorsthatmeasurethequantityandqualityofeffortandeffectwouldthenbedevelopedtomonitorthesuccessoftheimplementationoftheCouncil’srecommendationsattheoperationallevel.Examplesofthoseindicatorscouldinclude:
• Greaterparticipationinqualitycommunityprograms• Betterengagementinschool,betterretentioninthe7thand8thgrades• Reducedsuspensions• Lowertruancyrates• Reducedabsences• Enhancedfeelingsofsafety• Increasedcollegeandcareerreadiness• Higheremploymentrateamong16to24yearolds• Reducedratesofcrime,particularlygunviolence
29
Insummary,theCouncilwouldbemonitoringhowwelltheeffortsundertaken,helpyouthtodeveloppositivepersonalandsocialassetstheyneedtoberesilient,notengageinviolence,andgrowuptobesuccessfulcontributingmembersofthecommunity.InvestmentStrategyAnimportantpartoftheCouncil’sworkwastoconsiderhowtherecommendationsitismakingcouldbeimplementedgiventhecurrentfinancialpicturefacingtheStateandlocalgovernmentsandcommunities.ItissuggestingthatafinancingplanbedevelopedwithkeyStateandlocalgovernmentandcommunitystakeholdersconsideringthefollowingstrategies(AnnieE.CaseyFoundationEvidence2SuccessInitiative):
1. ImprovingtheuseofexistingStateandlocalfunding–examinethecurrentinvestmentstodeterminethosethatarealignedwiththeuseofevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesthatareachievingpositiveoutcomesrelatedtopreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopment;redirectthoseinvestmentsthatarenotinalignmenttohigherpriorityservicesthatarealigned;promoteintegrationamongtheseservices;ensurethatflexibilityisprovidedtoadministeringStateandlocalgovernmentagenciestomaketheneededreallocations;ensurethe“requestforresults”proposalsolicitationprocessesarealignedwiththesegoals
2. AllocatingStateandlocalfunding–usetheStateandlocalgovernmentbudgetingprocessestoexaminenewbudgetrequeststoensurethattheyarealignedwiththeuseofevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesthatareachievingpositiveoutcomesrelatedtopreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopment;onlyconsiderthosethatarealignedforfunding
3. Maximizingfederalfunding–maximizetheuseofentitlementprograms,directformula-drivenandblockgrantfunds;andpursuediscretionarygrantprogramsthatsupportthesegoals
4. Public-privatepartnerships–pursuepartnershipswithkeyprivatefoundationsandbusinessestofundintegratedservicesthatpreventviolence,promotepositiveyouthdevelopment,andaddressgapsforwhichpublicfundsarenotorcannotbeavailable
Akeystrategyintheplanshouldbetocontinuetoreexaminehowresourcescouldbereinvestedfromservicesprovidedininstitutionalsettingstothoseinthecommunity.Theresearchshowsthatevidence-basedandpromisingservicesprovidedattherecommendedlevelofintensitywithfidelitytothemodelincommunitysettingshavehelpedyouthtoachieveimprovedoutcomesatlowercostperyouth(AnnieE.CaseyFoundationEvidence2SuccessInitiative).Toillustratethisstrategy,areviewoffundsconductedbytheDSCYFintheearly1990sfoundthattwo-thirdsoftheagency’sbudgetwasbeingspenttoserveyouthininstitutionalsettings.Overthepast20years,theagencyhasshiftedfundstoexpanditscontinuumof
30
community-basedprogramstobeabletoserveyouthinmorenaturalsettings,i.e.homeandcommunity,usingevidence-basedandpromisingpracticesandachievebetteroutcomesatalowercostperyouth.Inasimilareffort,DHSShasdownsizedits24-hourinstitutionalfacilitiestorebalanceitsresourcestoprovidehigherqualityservicestoadultsinneedincommunity-basedservicesatalowercostperperson.
31
ConclusionNextStepsTheCouncilenvisionsthatthisreportwillbealivingdocumenttobeshapedfurtherbyengagingkeystakeholderswhowouldneedtobeinvolvedinmovingtherecommendationstoimplementation.ThiswouldincludethenewexecutiveleadershipfortheStateofDelaware,CityofWilmington,andNewCastleCountygovernmentsaswellastheleadershipofthelegislativebranches.Sincemanyoftherecommendationsarefocusedonintegrationofservicesandleveragingofresources,theNewCastleCountyschooldistrictsandthenonprofitcommunity,especiallyUnitedWayofDelawareandcommunityorganizationsthatserveyouthandtheirfamilies;andthehealthcare,business,andphilanthropiccommunitieswouldneedbeengaged.TheCouncilwouldadvocateforengagingyouthandtheirfamiliesaswellasthebroaderWilmingtoncommunityingatheringfeedbackandsuggestionsforconsiderationinimplementation.Lastly,theCouncilrecommendsthatitbecontinuedorsimilarbodybecreatedtosynthesizetherecommendationsandfeedbackintoanactionandresourcingplanforimplementation,buildingonexistingefforts,underthesharedleadershipoftheState,City,andCountygovernments.Closing–FinalThoughtsTheCouncilhasdevotedmuchofthisreporttorecommendationsforactioninpreventingyouthviolenceandpromotingpositivedevelopmentinthecontextoffosteringmoreresilientfamiliesandcommunities.Ithasdonethisusingaframeworkofincreasingprotectivefactors,reducingriskfactors,andpromotingtheuseofevidence-basedandpromisingpracticestoimproveyouthoutcomesinordertoinfluencepositivechangeandaddressgapsinpractices,programs,policies,systems,andenvironmentsthatimpactyouth.Inaddition,theCouncilhasproposedstrategiestobeusedtoadequatelyresourcetherecommendationsithasputforth.Lastly,ithaslaidoutaplanforengagingthebroadercommunityinthisimportantefforttosaveouryouth.Intheclosingsectionofthisreport,theCouncilfocusesattentiononthecostsofnottakinganyaction.Themarketingslogan,“youcanpaymenoworyoucanpaymelater,”appliestotheimportanceofinvestingthetimeandresourcesupfronttopreventyouthviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmentinlieuofpayingthesignificanthumanandfinancialpriceofpooroutcomeslater.Thedirectandindirectfinancialcoststothecommunityofyouthviolencearesignificantbutdifficulttoquantify.Someexamplesofdirectcostsincludemedicalandmentalhealthcare,lawenforcementandincarceration,andlegalandsocialserviceswhileindirectcoststakeintoaccountlostearnings,strugglingschools,fearincommunities,anddecliningpropertyvalues.Forexample,eachyear,youthhomicidesandassault-relatedinjuriesresultinanestimated$16billionincombinedmedicalandworklosscosts.Thecostsassociatedwiththecriminaljusticesystemcontinuetoincreasewhiletheoutcomesdonotseemtoimprove,giventhehighrecidivismrates
32
thatexist.Additionally,resourcesallocatedtopreventionworkremainthesameordecrease,stretchedasfarastheywillgo,andarenotalwaysinvestedinqualityprogramsthatdemonstrateimprovedoutcomes(CDC’sNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention,PreventingYouthViolence;OpportunitiesforAction).Wemustdobetter;wecandobetter;butwemustacttogether.Wemusthaveprocessesinplacetoidentifyyouthatthefirstsignofadetectableproblem.Wemustreinvestinqualityprogramsthatworkwithyouthaslongasittakestohelpthemtogetontherighttrackandstayonthattrack.Wemustsupportourfamiliestocreatecaringenvironmentsfortheirchildreninwhichtheirbasicneedsaremet.Wemuststrengthenourcommunitiestobecomemoreresilienttothetraumathatisapartofeverydaylifeinourcommunities.Nowisthetimetoacttogiveouryouththechanceandchoicetogrowuphealthyandresilient,togetaqualityeducation,tofollowapathwaytoacareer,andtobecomecontributingmembersofourcommunitytodayandtheempoweredparentsoftomorrow.
33
AcknowledgementsTheCDCCommunityAdvisoryCouncilandtheDelawareDepartmentofHealthandSocialServiceswouldliketothankthemembersofthecommunitywhogavesograciouslyoftheirtimeandexpertisetocontributetothecontentsofthisreport.Whetheritwasattendingameeting,participatinginalisteningsession,orcompletingasurvey,wheneverweneededhelp,thecommunityresponded.WewouldliketoextendaspecialthankyoutoindividualmembersoftheCouncilandtheirorganizationsfortheirnever-endingcommitmentandexpertiseneededtodevelopthoughtfulrecommendationstohelppreventviolenceandpromotepositivedevelopmentamongouryouth.Now,itistimeforaction.
34
References
1. AcceleratingChange,JohnKotter(2014)
2. AdverseChildhoodExperiencesAmongWilmingtonCityandDelaware’sChildrenfor
2014,DataResourceCenterforChildandAdolescentHealth
3. AdverseCommunityExperiencesandResilience,PreventionInstitute(2015)
4. BestPracticesinWraparound,KansasUniversitySchoolofSocialWelfare(June2008)
5. BlueprintsforHealthyYouthDevelopment,UniversityofColoradoatBoulder
6. CityConnectsPolicyBrief:BuildingaSustainableInterventiontoAddresstheOutof
SchoolFactorsAffectingAchievement,APrimerandaCaseStudy,CityConnects
7. CommunityEngagementMattersMoreThanEver,StanfordSocialInnovationReview(Spring2016)
8. ConnectingtheDots:AnOverviewoftheLinksAmongMultipleFormsofViolence,CDC
andthePreventionInstitute(2014)
9. DelawareCode,Title29,Chapter90,Section9001,StateofDelaware
10. DelawareHouseholdHealthSurveyfor2015,DelawarePublicHealthInstitute
11. DelawarePopulationProjectionSeriesfor2016,DelawarePopulationConsortium
12. DevelopmentalAssets:PreparingYoungPeopleforSuccess,SearchInstitute(1991)
13. EcologyofHumanDevelopment,UrieBronfenbrenner(1979)
14. ElevatedRatesofUrbanFirearmViolenceandOpportunitiesforPrevention,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(November2015)
15. EssentialsforChildhood:StepstoCreateSafe,Stable,NurturingRelationshipsand
Environments,CDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl(October2016)
16. Evidence2SuccessStrategicFinancingToolkitforTested,EffectivePrograms,AnnieE.
CaseyFoundation(2016)
35
17. ExploringtheMeso-System:TheRolesofCommunity,Family,andPeersinAdolescentDelinquencyandPositiveYouthDevelopment,YouthandSociety(2016,Vol.48(3)318–343)
18. Minneapolis,MinnesotaBlueprintforActiontoPreventYouthViolence,MinneapolisHealthDepartment(2013)
19. Patient–andFamily–CenteredCareCoordination:AFrameworkforIntegratingCare
forChildrenandYouthAcrossMultipleSystems,AmericanAcademyofPediatrics(May2014)
20. PresentationtotheMovementforaCultureofPeace,DelawareDepartmentofHealth
andSocialServicesSecretaryRitaLandgraf(January2016)
21. PreventingYouthViolence:OpportunitiesforAction,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)NationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention(2014)
22. PreventionWorks!PreventionHandbook,SAMHSACenterforSubstanceAbuse
Prevention/NationalPreventionNetwork(December2006)
23. PromotingProtectiveFactorsforIn-RiskFamiliesandYouth:AGuideforPractitioners,USDHHSChildren’sBureauChildWelfareInformationGateway(September2015)
24. PublicHealthApproachtoViolencePrevention,CDCNationalCenterforInjury
PreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention(1993)
25. SocialDeterminantsofHealth,HealthyPeople2020
26. StrivingtoReduceYouthViolenceEverywhere(STRYVE)Online,CDCNationalCenterforInjuryPreventionandControl,DivisionofViolencePrevention
27. TheFutureofYouthJustice;ACommunity-BasedAlternativetotheYouthPrison
Model,NewThinkinginCommunityCorrections,NationalInstituteofJustice,HarvardKennedySchool(October2016)
28. TryingHardIsNotGoodEnough,MarkFriedman(2005)
29. CDCCouncilRetreat:MappingAnalysis,UnitedWayofDelaware(October2016)
30. 2015ResultsReport,PromisePartnershipRegionalCouncil–SaltLakeCity,Utah
37
AppendixA
CDCCommunityAdvisoryCouncil
ChampionsTheHonorableRitaLandgrafCabinetSecretary,DelawareDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesTheHonorableDennisP.WilliamsMayor,CityofWilmingtonTheHonorableHanifaShabazzCouncilwoman,WilmingtonCityCouncilTheHonorableTheopolisGregoryPresident,WilmingtonCityCouncilMembersHenrySmithIII,Ph.D.DeputyCabinetSecretary,DelawareDepartmentofHealthandSocialServicesCo-ChairDarrylChambers,ResearchAssistant,UniversityofDelawareCo-ChairRayeJonesAveryCEO,ChristinaCulturalArtsCenterAshleyBidenExecutiveDirector,DelawareCenterforJusticeViliciaCade,Ed.D.SeniorDirectorofSecondaryEducation,ChristinaSchoolDistrictDavidChen,M.D.Physician,ChristianaCareHealthSystemTheHonorableNnamdiChukwuochaCouncilman,WilmingtonCityCouncilNorwoodColeman,Jr.SocialWorker/BehavioralHealthConsultant
38
SusanCycykDivisionDirector,PreventionandBehavioralHealth,DelawareDepartmentofServicesforChildren,Youth,andTheirFamiliesNancyDietzDivisionDirector,YouthRehabilitativeServices,DelawareDepartmentofServicesforChildren,Youth,andTheirFamiliesChrisFullmanFounder,RenaissanceArtsandMediaGroupDorrellGreenAssistantSuperintendent,BrandywineSchoolDistrictColeyHarrisCoordinator,YouthEmploymentProgram,ParkwayAcademyTonyaHockerSt.FrancisHealthCareDwightHoldenWorkforceDevelopmentCoordinator,CityofWilmingtonTyroneJonesChiefImpactOfficer,UnitedWayofDelawareTeriLawlerSchoolPsychologist,RedClaySchoolDistrictRachelLivingstonMinisterandSocialJusticeAdvocateSandraMedinilla,M.D.MedicalDirector,ViolencePrevention,ChristianaCareHealthSystemDonaldMorton,Ph.D.PastorandExecutiveDirector,ComplexitiesofColorYasserArafatPayne,Ph.D.AssociateProfessor,UniversityofDelawareA.J.RoopDeputyAttorneyGeneral,DelawareDepartmentofJustice
39
MarleneSaunders,DSWSocialWorker;FormerExecutiveDirector,NASW,DelawareChapterImanSharif,M.D.Chief,DivisionofGeneralPediatrics,Nemours/AlfredI.duPontHospitalforChildrenPaulSilverman,Ph.D.AssociateDeputyDirector,DelawareDivisionofPublicHealthCharlesSingletonOperationsOfficer,CoalitiontoDismantletheNewJimCrowMattSwansonExecutiveChairman,InnovativeSchools;Chairman,DelawareCenterforHealthInnovationSherrieTullCommander,CriminalInvestigationDivision,WilmingtonPoliceDepartmentSteveVillanuevaVicePresident,Technology,LatinAmericanCommunityCenterDaphneWarnerDirector,OfficeofPreventionandEarlyIntervention,DelawareDepartmentofServicesforChildren,Youth,andTheirFamiliesCoreyWrightDelawareCenterforJusticeGwendolineB.Angalet,Ph.D.StafftotheCouncil
40
AppendixB
LiteratureReview
1. PreventingYouthViolencehttp://www.cdc.gov/cdcgrandrounds/archives/2014/february2014.htm-
2. PreventingYouthViolence:OpportunitiesforActionhttp://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/pdf/opportunities-for-action.pdf.
3. Minneapolis,MinnesotaBlueprintforActiontoPreventYouthViolencehttp://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/www/groups/public/@health/documents/webcontent/wcms1p-121861.pdf.
4. PromotingProtectiveFactorsforIn-RiskFamiliesandYouth:AGuideforPractitionershttps://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/in_risk.pdf-page=2&view=Lessonsfromtheresearchliterature.
5. PreventionWorks!PreventionHandbook
http://docplayer.net/3131650-Csap-npn-prevention-handbook.htm.
6. BestPracticesinWraparoundhttps://childrenandfamilies.ku.edu/sites/childrenandfamilies.drupal.ku.edu/files/docs/best%20practices%20in%20wraparound.pdf.
7. Patient–andFamily–CenteredCareCoordination:AFrameworkforIntegratingCareforChildrenandYouthAcrossMultipleSystemshttp://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/133/5/e1451.full.pdf
8. ExploringtheMeso-System:TheRolesofCommunity,Family,andPeersin
AdolescentDelinquencyandPositiveYouthDevelopmentYouthandSociety,2016,Vol.48(3)318–343,
9. CommunityEngagementMattersMoreThanEver
StanfordSocialInnovationReviewhttp://ssir.org/articles/entry/community_engagement_matters_now_more_than_ever.
10. EssentialsforChildhood:StepstoCreateSafe,Stable,NurturingRelationships
andEnvironmentshttp://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/essentials_for_childhood_framework.pdf
41
11. ConnectingtheDots:AnOverviewoftheLinksAmongMultipleFormsof
Violencehttps://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/connecting_the_dots-a.pdf
12. AdverseCommunityExperiencesandResilience
http://www.preventioninstitute.org/component/jlibrary/article/id-372/127.htmlPresentationbyDr.HowardPinderhughesandSheilaSavannahontheframework,http://preventioninstitute.org/images/stories/Documents/Adverse_Community_Experiences_and_Resilience_Webinar_4.18.16.pdf
13. StrategicFinancingToolkitforTested,EffectiveProgramshttp://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/AECF-Strategic-Financing-Toolkit-2016.pdf.
42
AppendixC
ProgramsandServicesinHighNeedCommunitiesoftheCityofWilmington
(Source:UnitedWayofDelaware)
43
AppendixD
ViolencePreventionProgramsforAllYouthLivinginHigh-NeedCommunities
Effort-EffectAnalysis
Agency/Program Howmanyyouthwereenrolledoverthelastyear?(Input-Quantity)
Whichevidence-basedmodelsservedastheframework?(Effort-Quality)
Howmanyyouthsuccessfullycompletedtheprogram(Output-Quantity)
Whatoutcomesdidtheyouthachieve?(Quality–Effect)
WestEndNeighborhoodHouse/AfterSchoolandSummerPreventionProgram
600
UsesAllStars
Increasedknowledgeofrisksassociatedwithtobacco,drugandalcoholabuse;increasedparticipationinpreventionactivitiesbyyouthandtheirparents
YouthEmpowermentProgram/PhoenixGangPreventionProgram
150
UsesthePhoenixGangPreventionmodel
Reducedproblembehaviors,increasedpro-socialskills
DPBH/BehavioralHealthConsultationProgram
17MiddleSchools480youthreceivedclinicalservicesbyaBHC12964non-clinicalconsultationsServicesincluderiskassessment,transitionalservices,behavioralplans,andresourceconnectionstoreducefamilystress
UsesTraumaFocusedCognitiveBehavioralTherapy,CognitiveBehavioralTherapy,Multi-systemicTherapy,IM40DevelopmentalAssets;Psych-SocialAssembliesontraumaexposure,BHWorks,GAINSII,UCLAShort
1148screeningsanddischarged2881receivedadditionalcounselingandcommunitybehavioralhealthsupports
Throughscreeningtools,clinicalserviceswereneededforthefollowing:128aggressionornegativeconduct76depression68anxiety61familystressors51interpersonalproblems,bullying,peerconflict
ClarenceFraimBoysandGirlsClub/SmartMoves,CareerLaunch,AcademicTutoringandMentoring
UsesSmartMoves
Increasedknowledgeofrisksassociatedwithtobacco,drugandalcoholabuse,teenpregnancy,STDs;increasedparticipationinpreventionactivitiesbyyouth
ChildrenandFamilies
750
UsesStrengthening
Increasedfamilystrengths
44
First/StrengtheningFamiliesProgram
FamiliesProgramcurriculum
andresiliency,reducedproblembehaviorsofchildren/youth;increasedprotectivefactorsofimprovedfamilyrelationshipsandparentingskills;improvedsocialandlife’sskillsofyouth
ChildrenandFamiliesFirst/CommunitySchools
2400studentsatfiveelementaryschoolsandBayardMiddle
UsestheCommunitySchoolmodel,GirlsCircle,IM40DevelopmentalAssets,PeerCoaches/CommunityConnectors
2015–EastsideCommunitySchools(Bancroft,Stubbs,andElbertPalmer–Served3,804unduplicatedstudents,familiesandcommunitymembers;1015ofthisnumberattendedatleast3eventsorstudentreceived1service2015-RedClayCS(WarnerandShortlidge)-had5,000contactswithstudents,families,andcommunitymembers;reached187parentsandcommunitymemberswithenrichmentandotherservicesthroughevents(unduplicatedcount);2016Jan-June–had1,531studentcontacts,561familycontacts,642communitymembercontacts(duplicatedcount)
ECS-Evaluationresultfor2011to2015–Slightincreaseinschoolattendance,90%to95%;decreaseinchronicabsencesfrom16%to2%;majorityofstudentsnotexperiencinginoroutofschoolsuspensions–7%forECSstudentsforwhomtheyhadconsentcomparedtooverallschoolrateof20%
H.FletcherBrownBoysandGirlsClub
UsesSmartMovesandSmartGirls
Studentsfeelsafeandcaredfor,volunteerinthecommunity,increasedknowledgeofdrugabuseandviolenceprevention,andmakinggoodchoices
45
PeterSpencerFamilyLifeFoundation/FreedomSchoolandTooGoodforDrugs
105
UsesTooGoodfrom
theMendezFoundation
Studentsmaintainedorimprovedtheirreadingleveloverthesummer
LatinAmericanCommunityCenter/HealthDisparities
120
PrimeforLife
Reducedsubstanceabuseandincreasedlow-riskchoices
PoliceAthleticLeagueofWilmington
72
LifeSAVERSProgramfocusesoncyberbullying,suicidepreventioneducation,violenceprevention.AllyouthparticipatedinLifelinesandSecondStepsuicideandviolencepreventionprograms.Theprogramalsoprovideshomeworksupport,healthysnacksfitnessactivities,artandcookingclasses.
51completedtheprogram14droppedoutduetosportsandotherprogramsoroutsideobligations.
PreandPost-testwereadministered.Youthwereuncomfortablerespondingtothetest.Resultsarenotconclusive.Youtharemoreinterestedinfunactivitiesandstruggledtoremainfocusedonthecurriculumportionsoftheprogram.
HillTopCommunityCenter
Total 336 youth enrolled. 3pm to 9pm Monday through Friday for reading supports and extracurricular activities. Beauty Camp and Cosmetology, Jr. NBA Basketball League. They provide Boys to Men and Sisterly Love for youth empowerment community based programs. Reading and tutoring
IM40DevelopmentalAssets
Openendeduniversalprograms
Allyouthareengagedinreadingandadditionalacademicsupportsbeforetheyparticipateinextracurricularactivities.Theyareinasafelocationandareengagedinconstrictiveactivities.
46
JobsforDelawareGraduates
3,698ofDelaware'svulnerableyouthwereserved,801fromCity;providedleadershipdevelopment,self-development,careerexploration,lifeskills,jobsearchandjobsurvivalskills;graduatesreceivedplacementandfollow-upservices,includingtransitionassistancetopost-secondaryeducation,advancedtraining,military,and/oremployment
JDGisanaffiliateofJobsforAmerica'sGraduates(JAG).JAGisaresultofJDGandthemodelhasbeenreplicatedin32states.TheJAGNetworkhasconsistentlydeliveredcompellingresultshelpingoveronemillionyouthstayinschoolthroughgraduation,pursuepost-secondaryeducationand/orsecureentry-leveljobsleadingtocareeradvancement.
96%ofJDG's"100%atriskofdroppingout"populationremainedinschool.83%of9ththrough11thgradersadvancedtothenextgradeinschooland93%oftheseniorsgraduated.
Successismeasuredbyretainingthestudentsinschooltocompletetheirrespectivegradesandadvancetothenextgradeorgraduate;completingtheJDGcurriculum;participatingintheyouthorganization,DelawareCareerAssociation(DCA);andparticipationinsummeremployment,volunteerworkoreducationalactivities.Students"gaveback"over8,328hourstoDelawarethroughCommunityServiceProjects;valuedat$177,960bytheIndependentSector.63%of9-11thgradersinvolvedinasummerexperience.65%oftheJune2016graduatesemployed,incollegeoradvancedtrainingoracombinationofby9/30/16.
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AppendixE
ViolencePreventionProgramsforModerate-toHigh-RiskYouth
Effort-EffectAnalysis
Agency Howmanyyouthwereenrolledoverthelastyear?(Input-Quantity)
Whichevidence-basedmodelsservicedastheframework?(Effort-Quality)
Howmanyyouthsuccessfullycompletedtheprogram(Output-Quantity)
Whatoutcomesdidtheyouthachieve?(Effect–Quality)
CeaseViolence
32+youthenrolled15+youththroughChristianaCare
BasedonCureViolencemodelestablishedinChicago
6completedtheprogram
Youtharebackinschoolorworkingandlivingahealthylifestyle
ChildrenandFamilyFirst–FunctionalFamilyTherapy
230youthenrolledwiththeirfamilies
Isanevidence-basedprogram;alsousesFamilyKeystokeepteensoutoffostercare(DFSProgramcalledFAIR)
71%completedtheprogram
75%adolescents/parentsreportimprovedrelationships(77%teens;74%parents)Atintake58%ratedthemselvesassevere;ofthese72%werenolongersevereatdischarge
ChristianaCare/AllianceforAdolescentPregnancyPrevention
Serviceprovided–632(MakingProudChoices!–224;BeProud!BeResponsible!–186;WiseGuy–222)(MPC–23groupsprovided,19inCityofWilmington;BPBR–25groupsprovided,13inCityofWilmington;WiseGuys–32groupsprovided,11intheCityofWilmington)
MPCandBPBR-evidencebasedWiseGuys–promisingpracticebyCDCGroupsarefacilitatedbytrainedChristianaCareeducators;eacheducatorsrequiredtoattendathree-daytrainingEducatorsareevaluatedregularlytoensurefidelityisbeingmaintainedEducatorsintheWiseGuysprogramprovidefeedbacktoauthorstoassistwithcontinuedcurriculumdevelopment
560completedtheprogramsuccessfully(MPC–203or90%completion;BPBR–154or83%completion;WiseGuys–204or92%completion)
IncreasedaccesstoreproductivehealtheducationandconnectionstoservicethrougheducatorsIncreasedreproductivehealthknowledge/awarenessPotentialstrongercommunicationskillsaroundtheirreproductivehealth/behaviors/choicesSafespacetodiscussreproductivehealthissueswithtrainedprofessionalSafespacetointeractwithpeersinanon-judgmentalenvironmentConnectiontoadditionalresourcessuchasSchoolBasedHealthCenter,PlannedParenthoodDE,ARC
48
ChristinaCulturalArtsCenter/HeartUndertheHoodieYouthViolencePreventionProgram
Enrolled–12575schools10-14yearolds4daysperweek;free;morestructureatCCACSites:CCAC,ReedsPerformingArts,Bancroft,Stubbs,Kuumba(2015-2016),addingPrestigeAcademy
AdaptedUrbanImprovBoston;adaptedOaklandServicesYoga;Arts;ConflictEmotionalLiteracy–PowerService;FamilyEngagement/Referral
95%completion70%developpositiveidentity;85%selfreportanincreaseininternalandexternalprotectiveassets;70%demonstrateincreasedenthusiasmforschoollearninginandoutofschool;70%developemotional/socialcompetencyviaexpression
Long-termOutcomes80%youthutilizeprincipletoolsofyogaoutsideofclasstogainself-control75%ofyouthdevelopanddemonstratesounddecision-makingskillsreducingincidencesofunwantedbehavior75%ofyouthindicatedastrongerattachmentandcommitmenttofamily,school,neighborhood65%ofyouth,parents,andadultsbuildawarenessofandtakeactionsurroundingsocialproblemsresultinginviolencewithinhomes,schools,andneighborhoods
Duffy’sHope/AmbassadorsProgram
340enrolled
PhoenixCurriculum
49
ViolencePreventionProgramsforHigh-RiskYouthEffort-EffectAnalysis
Agency Howmanyyouth
wereenrolledoverthelastyear?(Input-Quantity)
Whichevidence-basedmodelsservicedastheframework?(Effort-Quality)
Howmanyyouthsuccessfullycompletedtheprogram(Output-Quantity)
Whatoutcomesdidtheyouthachieve?(Effect–Quality)
YMCA/BackonTrack
Totalyouthassigned-338Averageage–14-17yearsLowleveloffenders–NoProbationOfficer
1) Intakewith
families2) FourLifeSkill
classes(ListentoSelf)
3) CommunityServiceProject
4) Priortoclasses-CaseManagerintroduction
5) Duringclassesifneeded–visits
6) Followupvisits7) Contactedwith
otheragenciesthatareneeded
294successful61AdministrativePulls44UNwithprogramDifficultywithparentfollowthrough
1) Youthoneyear
membershipswiththeYMCA
2) Placedwithotherprogramsafterwards:BlackAchieversYouthinGovernment
3) WorkReadiness4) Youthcomingbackto
letusknowhowtheyaredoing
5) Parentswantotheryouthinfamilytoparticipate
VisionQuest
608youth(7/1/15to6/30/16)Pre-Trial–220(64Wilm.)Umbrella–273(101Wilm.)FFT–115(33Wilm.)Moderatetohighriskyouth–ProbationOfficerprovidescasemanagement
FamilyFunctionalTherapy(FFT)AggressionReplacementTherapyCognitiveBehavioralTherapyStreetSmartSanctuaryGirlsSelf-EsteemCaseyLifeSkillsCommunityServiceAccountabilityPre-Trial
82%successfullycompletedservicesAverageLengthofService–3months
1)OhioScalesmeasuresProblemseverity(65%)Hopefulness(57%)Satisfaction(92%)Functioning(61%)2)StandardProgramEvaluationProtocol(SPEP)ScoresScoredthreetimessince2013;showedservicescoreprimarilyimprovingovereachround
WraparoundDelaware
375youth(7/1/15to6/30/16)
BasedonPACTassessment(low/moderaterisk)CasemanagementinlieuofProbationOfficerFollowthe
271or77%successful191youthcompletedLLS5Truancy74CivilCitation3MentalHealth
CompletionofCourt-orderedconditionsConnectedtocommunityresource
50
Wraparoundprinciplesandtraumainformedcare
CourtAverageLengthofService–4-6months
YouthAdvocateProgram
19youthHighriskyouthwithguncharges;10-15hoursperweekperyouth;12atonetime
PromisingPractice–CaseyFoundationandOJJDP;drawsfromtheresearchbaseofwraparound,familysupport,mentoring,positiveyouthdevelopment,restorativejustice
8youthFamilyenvironmentnotalwayssupportive
LivingsafelyinthecommunityConnectiontoeducationSuccessfullycompletingprobationConnectiontocommunityoutreach
DelawareCenterforJustice/StudentWarriorsAgainstGangsandGuns(SWAGG)–CommunityCaseManagementComponentfrom4/2014to4/2015
23youthreceivedcasemanagementafterrelease
Phoenix/NewFreedom100Curriculum
23youth
Lowrecidivismrate–16%