- Reaches multiple audiences with appropriate information and skill-building
- Enhances ability to differentiate between prevention and intervention and enforcement/suppression approaches
- Fosters understanding of risk and resilience factors for preventing violence
- Establishes capacity to develop effective strategies to prevent violence
- Enables implementation of effective strategies
- Fosters leadership in advancing violence prevention efforts and outcomes
- Strengthens ability to collaborate across sectors, jurisdictions, and disciplines
Reaches multiple audiences with appropriate information and skill-building In order to implement a comprehensive plan, multiple audiences need information and skills. What each needs will vary from person to person and sector to sector. Ensuring that all of those players and partners have the appropriate skills is critical. And it's important not only to include the 'usual suspects' (e.g. law enforcement professionals, social workers, and teachers) but also to think outside the box, such as across city agencies (e.g. planning and economic development), community providers (community-based and grassroots organizations), community services and businesses (e.g. the faith community and beauty salons), and community members (e.g. adults and youth).
Enhances ability to differentiate between prevention and intervention and enforcement/suppression approaches While all elements of this continuum are important, frequently, elected officials, practitioners, and the general public may have less of an understanding about what kinds of strategies are preventive or mistake intervention and enforcement/suppression as prevention. One consequence is that their emphasis ends up largely on the intervention and enforcement/suppression end without also ensuring quality prevention.
Fosters understanding of risk and resilience factors for preventing violence Effectively preventing violence requires getting at the underlying factors contributing to violence in the first place. These underlying factors are called risk and resilience factors. They can either put individuals, families, and communities at risk of more violence or be protective against it.
Establishes capacity to develop effective strategies to prevent violence Beyond understanding what underlies violence, it is critical to develop strategies that will be effective in reducing risk factors and bolstering resilience factors. The Upfront, In the Thick, and Aftermath strategies that city representatives prioritized are a good starting place. Also, tools such as the Spectrum of Prevention can help forge comprehensive strategies.
Enables implementation of effective strategies Due to different factors, some locales have struggled with implementation of strategic plans and violence prevention strategies. In many cases, assessing the needed skills and capacities and seeking appropriate training and technical assistance may be of value.
Fosters leadership in advancing violence prevention efforts and outcomes Given the challenges of getting traction on and maintaining support for preventing violence before it occurs, it is valuable to foster and enhance leadership skills among those who are striving to advance outcomes.
Strengthens ability to collaborate across sectors, jurisdictions, and disciplines Often people in one sector, jurisdiction, or discipline may have only a general idea or a misinformed notion of what happens in others. Don Blevins, Chief of Probation in Alameda County shared, "We didn't actually know what other agencies were doing. Having that information has been very helpful." Training can help ensure that people know what others actually do and foster a common language, as well as a shared understanding of the problem and solutions. Understanding the contribution of other partners can strengthen the capacity to collaborate and achieve outcomes.
