A recent survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that over 60 percent of 505 respondents were interested in violence prevention and/or conflict resolution training programs. However, less than one-third of the respondents had access to a budget of more than $100 per year to receive such training. In response, the Harvard School of Public Health, the Prevention Institute and the Education Development Center formed the Partnerships for Preventing Violence (PPV) Six-Part Training Forum. The Forum consists of six, live, interactive broadcasts, each focusing upon areas critical to violence prevention. The program format consists of footage of exemplary programs, discussions between expert guests, moderators, and viewers, who can phone, fax, or e-mail questions. A fundamental tenet of the PPV series is that violence is a complex issue and a symptom of a variety of individual and community risk factors. The training expands the knowledge base of community leaders and promotes comprehensive, multi-faceted approaches that address underlying risk factors for violence. The PPV team has trained individuals in over 60 cities to facilitate local activities before, during, and after each broadcast. Hands-on activities and discussion at downlink sites increases the effectiveness of the training medium. Moreover, anyone with the appropriate equipment can receive the training gratis. The first four broadcasts have trained over 9,000 individuals. A final evaluation will be completed during the summer of 2000; however, interim quantitative and qualitative data indicate the broadcasts have catalyzed the development of activities and coalitions in communities nationwide.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. List four benefits to utilization of distance learning in conjunction with local facilitation, in the training of violence prevention practitioners. 2. Identify and apply the Spectrum of Prevention to the development of local and national prevention activities. 3. Articulate individual and community risk and resiliency factors for violence. 4. Discuss the advantages of bringing a mulit-disciplinary group of agencies, organizations, and individuals together to develop a comprehensive prevention strategy, incorporating community assets and challenges. 5. Cite examples of exemplary national violence prevention programs and articulate the qualities that enchance program development
Keywords: Youth Violence, Community Collaboration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Harvard School of Public Health
The Prevention Institute
The Education Development Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.