Finding the “Win-Win” for a Safer California (Or the Nation!)

Violence is preventable. Multiple sectors play a needed role in addressing the underlying contributors to violence, including the sectors of early childhood development, education, housing, community development, business, and transportation. Prevention Institute recognizes that a window of opportunity is opening in California, and across the nation, to promote a common vision and shared priority for safety across multiple sectors – through Safety in All Policies. The notion of Safety in All Policies (SiAP) comes from Health in All Policies (HiAP), a collaborative, multi-sector policymaking approach gaining national momentum.

Prevention Institute has released three briefs to advance Safety in All Policies:

1.    Safety in All Policies: A Brief to Advance Multi-Sector Actions for a Safer California lays out the five core elements of a Safety in All Policies approach. It is designed as a roadmap for state governmental entities to assist them in promoting policies, practices, and actions in support of safe communities.

2.    Safety in All Policies: A Brief on Engaging the Education Sector in Preventing Violence in California focuses on the education sector and describes eight recommended actions at the local level, as well as potential roles for the California Department of Education and the California state legislature in support of local efforts.

3.    Safety in All Policies: A Brief on Engaging the Housing and Community Development Sector in Preventing Violence in California focuses on the housing and community development sector and describes seven recommended actions at the local level, as well as potential roles for the state legislature and the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency in support of local efforts.

While the terms HiAP and SiAP can imply a focus on policy only, considerations for health and safety can in fact be embedded in organizational practices and the broader decision-making of multiple sectors, as well as policies. Further, this approach begins with understanding that each of these sectors has a vested interest in reducing violence. The key is to find the “win-win,” where actions prevent violence while improving outcomes for participating sectors. For example, safe schools promote higher attendance and improved learning outcomes.

For complete guidance on the roles and contributions of multiple sectors and on maximizing multi-sector collaboration to prevent violence, see Prevention Institute’s Multi-Sector Partnerships for Preventing Violence: A Guide for Using Collaboration Multiplier to Improve Safety Outcomes for Young People, Communities and Cities.

By advancing multi-sector strategies that break down boundaries and silos to achieve greater impact and efficiency, a Safety in All Policies approach can save and improve lives, create safer and more equitable communities in California, and serve as a model for the nation.