Community Mobilization According to OJJDP
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The OJJDP Model provides numerous methods on mobilizing the community. Below are several examples of how the SCTF mobilizes the community in Clark County.
Representation: The Steering Committee involves representatives of key organizations and other community leaders within the local target area. It guides implementation of the Model by responding to barriers to implementation, developing sound policy, lending support to the project where and when appropriate, and taking general ownership of the communitywide response.
Relationships: The Steering Committee creates and maintains interagency and community relationships that facilitate project development. For example, the Steering Committee might be engaged to work out policies and procedures for law enforcement/outreach worker interactions and information sharing to meet the needs of target youth and their families.
Facilitation: Steering Committee members and project staff work with residents in the target area and community leaders to elicit their ideas and afford them a voice in identifying services and activities in the community. The committee helps facilitate the development of community groups (e.g., block watches, neighbors/mothers against gangs, or other community alliances and coalitions).
Everyone: Insofar as practical, the project is supported and sustained across all levels (policymakers/agency heads, middle-level managers, and line staff) of the criminal and juvenile justice systems (police, probation/parole, courts/judges, prosecutors, corrections), schools (superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers), community-based service and grassroots organizations, and government.
Training: Community residents in the target area(s) are offered programs and training to educate parents, business owners, and neighborhood groups about gangs.
Community mobilization is most closely monitored by the SCTF Steering Committee.
Representation: The Steering Committee involves representatives of key organizations and other community leaders within the local target area. It guides implementation of the Model by responding to barriers to implementation, developing sound policy, lending support to the project where and when appropriate, and taking general ownership of the communitywide response.
Relationships: The Steering Committee creates and maintains interagency and community relationships that facilitate project development. For example, the Steering Committee might be engaged to work out policies and procedures for law enforcement/outreach worker interactions and information sharing to meet the needs of target youth and their families.
Facilitation: Steering Committee members and project staff work with residents in the target area and community leaders to elicit their ideas and afford them a voice in identifying services and activities in the community. The committee helps facilitate the development of community groups (e.g., block watches, neighbors/mothers against gangs, or other community alliances and coalitions).
Everyone: Insofar as practical, the project is supported and sustained across all levels (policymakers/agency heads, middle-level managers, and line staff) of the criminal and juvenile justice systems (police, probation/parole, courts/judges, prosecutors, corrections), schools (superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers), community-based service and grassroots organizations, and government.
Training: Community residents in the target area(s) are offered programs and training to educate parents, business owners, and neighborhood groups about gangs.
Community mobilization is most closely monitored by the SCTF Steering Committee.
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Community Meetings
On the second Friday of every month, all members of our community are welcome to join together for an update from the Vancouver Police Department on current youth violence and gang activity/trends in our community, to learn from educational workshops, to be informed of the work of the Safe Communities Task Force, and to have opportunities to learn about local resources, events, and organizations. We meet from 10am-12pm at the Boys & Girls Club.
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Neighborhood Associations
Mobilizing the community requires community buy-in. Neighborhood Associations that have committed to the SCTF provide numerous volunteer opportunities for our youth, countless volunteer hours, attend our community meetings, and make financial investments in achieving our goals. We rely on organizations like them to get the word out and help create a safe community for us all.
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Juan Pacheco, keynote speaker at the 2015 Keeping Our Kids Safe Conference, sets his stage with photos of his family, arrest records, and diplomas. A former gang member and convicted felon, he shares with the audience how positive role models and opportunities helped turn his life around. (Photos by Emma Browne for the Columbian)
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Keeping Our Kids Safe Conference
The SCTF is committed to raising awareness about youth violence and its related issues while also providing useful information about resources in our community and educating our community about ways we can all create a safer environment for all our kids. We offer a free annual 2-day conference called Keeping Our Kids Safe where the first day is for professionals who work with youth in our community and the second day is more focused for parents, families, and our general community.
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