SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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In May. 1996. the Public Health Department received a two year grant from the David and Lucilc Packard
Foundation for work in the violence prevention area. Project HALT(Health Approach Lessens the) V:oience.
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The mission of Project HALT Violence is to help change the culture of violence in our community and to help
crime in Santa Clara County.

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department in concert with numerous other project partners believes that
violence within our county community can be reduced through a multi-faceted, mid- and long-term preventive
approach. The Public Health Department is committed to working with existing groups which arc addressinghealth
violence prevention and will support and complement their efforts by contributing the strengths of a public
perspective.

Specifically, Project HALT Violence’s objectives include the following;
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Establish an identified role for Public Health in the area of violence prevention

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Compile a broad-based resource inventoiy' in order to identify strengths/scr\'ices

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Assess gaps in services in the community

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Initiate a population-wide community education project for violence prevention
Participate in community coalitions to promote collaboration and enhanced efforts
Work with the community to develop a cormnunity action plan for violence prevention
Plan and advocate for public policy to control the incidence and impact of violence.

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CURRENT PROGRAM EFFORTS AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

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In July, 1996. the Public Health Department hired a Violence Prevention Coordinator, to organize and facilitatefoui
project’s activities under the direction of the Deputy Director of Public Health. The Department has identified
major areas where violence prevention work needs to be initiated and /or better coordinated:

Reducing and Preventing Firearm Violence -Public Health is currently working with Super\'isor Jim of
Beall’s Office, the Mayor Hammer’s Office, the Police Chiefs Association, and others to convene a sciies

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meetings designed to educate the community about the need to reduce and prevent firearm violence.

Developing and promoting a comprehensive approach to school/community-based violence

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prevention programs, working through the Domestic Violence Council, Child Abuse Council, and Office

of Human Relations.
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Expanding efforts to educate the community about the need to decrease children’s exposure to media
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violence. Public Health is working with the Medical Association, Catholic Diocese and otliers to present

symposium on media literacy in the fall, 1997.
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Creating a framework for ongoing collection and analysis of violence-related data. As part of ongoing

data collection efforts. Public Health has compiled an inventory of violence prevention resources available
in Santa Clara County.

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In addition, active participation has been established in other coalitions, such as the Mayor s Gang Task ForceBureau
the Domestic Violence Council. In the near future, Public Health plans to partner with the Drug and Alcohol
and others to address the prevention of alcohol-related violence through an initiative designed to reduce youth access
to alcohol.
2/13/97