1. Minneapolis Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence
Gretchen Musicant Commissioner of Health September 26, 2013

2. National Forum – Third Annual Summit
Minneapolis Team Members:
Gretchen Musicant, Commissioner of Health
Wokie Weah, Executive Committee Co-Chair, President of Youthprise
Ben Knoll, Executive Committee Co-Chair, COO of Twin Cities United Way
Coral Garner, Director, Community and Public Health Initiatives, Minneapolis Health Department
Jason Matlock, Director, Emergency Management, Safety & Security, Minneapolis Schools
Commander Bruce Folkens, Minneapolis Police Department
De’ Arreon Robinson, Research Innovator/Youth Representative

3. 2008 Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence
A public health framework, staffed by Health Department
Launched after year-long community process
Led by Executive Committee; co-chaired by Mayor and philanthropic community representatives
A collaborative process
Results: From 2006 to 2012:
Youth homicides decreased 60%
Violent crime among youth decreased 57%
Incidents with guns among youth decreased 67%
Youth gun-related assault injuries decreased 62%
Public Health approach:
World Health Organization: October 2002; The World Report on Violence and Health is the first comprehensive report of its kind to address violence as a global public health problem. (Evidence from around the world suggests that violence can be prevented by a variety of measures aimed at individuals, families and communities. As a complement to the law and order approach to violence, the report promotes a public health understanding of the complex social, psychological, economic and community underpinnings of violence.)
Prevention, risk and resilience factors, data informed, community engagement, Impact of social conditions
Collaboration:
Police, MPS, Community Organizations (MADDADS, YMCA, LINK, Emerge employment program), City Employment and Training
Also: youth gunshot victims decreased 39%,

4. Refreshing the Blueprint

5. Minneapolis’ Approach
Is centered on a public health approach including primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies
Incorporates problem-oriented and community-oriented policing enforcement strategies
Has borrowed elements of the Comprehensive Gang Model in working with high-risk, gang-involved youth
Is working to replicate the BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) program from Chicago, a promising practice
Is developing a hospital-based youth violence prevention and intervention program

6. Community Engagement Community forums Independent evaluation
Stakeholder groups

7. Refreshed Goals: Foster Violence-Free Social Environments
Increase awareness of efforts to prevent youth violence on a local, regional, and national level
Improve institutional climates to promote welcoming and safe environments
Enhance neighborhood conditions to improve community perceptions of safety
Advocate for policy change to support youth violence prevention and juvenile justice reform

8. Refreshed Goals: Promote Positive Opportunities and Connections to Trusted Adults for All Youth
Enhance and improve out-of-school time opportunities through citywide Out-of-School Times system
Maintain employment opportunities and work readiness training for youth and young adults
Increase quality and availability of mentoring relationships between youth and adults
Promote health and well-being of youth and their families

9. Refreshed Goals: Intervene with Youth and Families at the First Sign of Risk
Reduce number of curfew, truancy, and low-level offenders
Screen and respond to youth victims of family and/or sexual abuse
Develop tailored intervention programs for youth who have been victims of street/community violence or who are at risk of being victimized
Provide outreach and community-based programming for disconnected youth

10. Refreshed Goals: Restore Youth Who Have Gone Down the Wrong Path
Provide supports and services to youth engaged with the juvenile justice system to reduce further involvement
Address the physical and mental health of youth involved with the juvenile justice system

11. Refreshed Goals: Protect Children and Youth from Violence in the Community
Promote positive contacts between youth/ community and police
Ensure a timely coordinated response to youth crime
Decrease youth access to guns

12. Measuring Progress
Sustain reductions in young adult (age 18–24) homicides and bring the number of youth (under 18) homicides to zero
Sustain a 10% annual reduction of assault–injuries among Minneapolis youth and young adults
Sustain a 10% annual reduction in firearm-related injuries among young adults
Sustain reductions in the number of firearm-related injuries among youth and work toward zero
Other measures:
Youth participating in programs
Training of youth providers and programs
Positive contact with youth
Community perception survey
Incidents involving guns

13. Oversight Structure Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee
Three co-chairs (Mayor, COO United Way, President of Youthprise)
17 members appointed by Mayor and City Council
Oversee policy direction, prioritization, and accountability for results
Multijurisdictional Operational Team
Led by Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator
Coordinate planning, implementation, and evaluation

14. Partnerships Minneapolis Police Minneapolis Public Schools
Hennepin County Juvenile Corrections
U.S. Attorneys’ Office
Minneapolis Employment and Training
Youth Coordinating Board
Community-Based Agencies
Philanthropic Community
Business Community
Philanthropic community: United Way, Youthprise, General Mills Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation
Business community: Minneapolis Downtown Council, Emplayers accros the city emplying hundreds of youth in Step up summer jobs

15. Contact Information
Gretchen Musicant Commissioner of Health