Invitation to Apply for the Office of Violence Prevention Community Partnership Council

Background

In February 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion directing the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish a countywide Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and develop a strategic plan for a coordinated countywide effort to prevent multiple forms of violence.

In addition to direction provided by a County Leadership Committee, comprised of leadership from over 25 County Departments, community involvement is critical to ensure that the OVP achieves its purpose and mission. We are currently inviting community members to participate in a community-based advisory body, the Community Partnership Council, to advise, guide and provide input to the OVP.

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Partnership Council

Twenty (20) individuals will serve in an advisory capacity to the OVP and will: 

• Help coordinate and integrate community violence prevention activities/priorities with County efforts.
• Provide feedback and recommendations to OVP on strategic plans, resource allocations, advocacy efforts, and other issues as determined by the Community Partnership Council, County Leadership Committee, or OVP staff.
• Commit to regular attendance and participation in meetings for a minimum of 24 months. The Council will meet monthly beginning September 2019 and then hold bimonthly meetings beginning January 2020.
• Meet with the County Leadership Committee up to two times per year.

Eligibility

Membership is restricted to individuals who live or work in LA county and represent one of the following categories:

• Networks or coalitions (local, state, or national non-governmental) engaged in violence prevention;
• Representatives of organizations serving individuals impacted by different types of violence including survivors;
• Community leaders organizing efforts to address violence in each SPA or a distinct demographic group;
• Survivors affected by violence, not representing an organization or network.

Note: Employees of the City or County of Los Angeles (or other government agencies) are not eligible to participate.

If you are interested in participating on the OVP Community Partnership Council, we would like to invite you to click here to complete the nomination form and submit it online or by mail no later than Wednesday, July 17, 2019. If you have questions, or require a hard copy of this form, please call us at (213) 351-1901.

Thank you very much for your commitment to preventing violence in LA County and your interest in the OVP.

In peace and partnership.

Gun Violence Day Press Release

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Day by reminding everyone that gun violence is preventable, and the epidemic of gun violence is one of the most significant public health issues of current times.

In a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 2, 2019 as  Gun Violence Awareness Day joining other jurisdictions in support of research into the causes and solutions to gun violence including policy change at the federal level.

“Violence in all forms is unacceptable but gun violence in particular is an issue of grave concern given its lethality and the daily toll we see in the lives of victims and their family and friends, and in society overall,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "Efforts are needed at all levels to address the scourge of gun violence and to create communities where everyone feels safe and can thrive."

For more information and to participate in Gun Violence Awareness Day activities, visit:

·         Louder Than Guns LA: https://www.louderthanguns.org

·         Wear Orange: https://wearorange.org

·         Everytown for Gun Safety: http://everytown.wecanendgunviolence.org

·         Prevention Institute: https://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-injury/preventing-violence-advocacy

OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION BOARD MOTION

On March 13th, The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors introduced a motion, that passed unanimously, directing the Department of Public Health and Chief Executive Office to develop a plan to outline the staffing and resources needed to create a new countywide Office of Violence Prevention within DPH. The board response also includes outlining a plan for rolling out a 6-month strategic planning process.

On February 19, 2019, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted on a motion to officially establish and fund the Office of Violence Prevention Program

Our framework is a comprehensive, public health approach to violence prevention that includes:

•  Violence prevention across the lifespan (i.e. child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual violence, suicide prevention, youth violence, gang violence, gun safety and policy, elder abuse, systemic violence)
•  Prevention and intervention, trauma informed approaches, community development/resilience, place-based approaches
• Best and promising practices and strategies designed for specific populations
• Violence prevention data, research and communications
•  Centralized coordination and connecting community organizations, county departments and partners to build capacity and align efforts
•  Advancing policy and systems change

suicide is preventable

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of preventable injury and premature death in Los Angeles County. The Injury and Violence Prevention Program urges the public to learn more about suicide risk factors, warning signs and resources to help someone who may be at risk.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), help is available

Click here for Suicide Brief document: The Public Health Impact of Suicide in
Los Angeles County - 2018

Click here for data brief on Youth Suicide Prevention in LA County

Click here for the 2017 Infographic on The Public Health Impact
of Suicide in Los Angeles County.

Additional Suicide Prevention Resources

1. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health – Access Center Helpline (24/7 and Bilingual) 800-854-7771 http://dmh.lacounty.gov

2. LA County 211 (24/7 and Bilingual) 2-1-1 http://211.org

Click here to read award

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	Parks After Dark Preventing Violence While Promoting Healthy, Active Living                          Want to learn more about how parks can have a pivotal role in addressing violence prevention while at the same time combating obesity? Parks After Dark Brief contains information about the innovative program found at many Los Angeles County Parks.
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