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Overview
The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), housed within the Department of Public Health, works to strengthen coordination, capacity and partnerships to address the root causes of violence, and to advance policies and practices that are grounded in race equity, to prevent all forms of violence and to promote healing across all communities in Los Angeles County. OVP monitors the trends and circumstances of violent deaths affecting Los Angeles County to inform decision makers and program planners about ways to prevent and intervene on violence in the community, at home and in the workplace.
Each May, OVP joins the national movement to uplift the importance of mental health as an important part of overall wellbeing. In support of this goal, the Los Angeles County Gun Violence Prevention Platform seeks to increase access to culturally relevant healing services and mental health support by investing in strategies that promote protective factors such as increasing feelings of belonging and social connection, creating opportunities for healing, and implementing trauma-informed care practices.
To advance this priority, OVP is hosting four opportunities to learn how to recognize and respond to mental health challenges in our community.
Additionally, we created a Mental Health Month Mindfulness calendar to provide an easy-to-use list of examples of mindfulness activities and resources. Click here to access to the calendar and to share it with others!
Together, we can all play a role in normalizing the importance of and providing support for mental health. Join us!
OVP is hiring
The LA County Office of Violence Prevention is hiring five temporary staff to coordinate implementation of the Trauma Prevention Partnerships project, funded through the American Rescue Plan. These positions are for approximately 18 months. We are looking for staff who are passionate about helping communities, organized, and ideally, have experience with violence prevention and trauma and healing informed practice. Please share with your networks.
Our TPI team is in immediate need of a Community Health Worker to support our 4 TPI communities in unincorporated South LA: Westmont West Athens, Willowbrook, Florence Firestone, and Unincorporated Compton. Please share with your networks.
Public Release of OVP’s Gun Violence Prevention Platform
On Friday, April 7th, the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention, housed in the Department of Public Health, publicly released the County’s 40-point Gun Violence Prevention Platform. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health, made the announcement at a press conference in front of the County Hall of Administration. “Without sustained, meaningful action on gun violence we are all but conceding the future, and we are noting that it will be no better than our grim present – perhaps worse,” she said.
The Gun Violence Prevention Platform, developed in June 2022 by a Task Force consisting of mental health and health care professionals, public health practitioners, and community partners, identified four priority action areas as critical first steps in making Los Angeles County safe and secure for all: Legislation, Social Connections and Healing, Gun Violence Restraining Orders, and School Safety and Services.
Dr. Ferrer was joined at the podium by David Guizar of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, Kevin Orange, Trauma Prevention Initiative Community Intervention Worker; and Dr. Susan Stone, Senior Medical Director with L.A. Care Health Plan. Both Guizar and Orange lost brothers to gun violence. They spoke movingly about the necessity of providing critical services and coming together as a community in support of peace, security, and healing.
Dr. Stone stated that physicians are became increasingly engaged in the effort to reduce gun violence, including asking patients if they have a gun in the house. “Gun violence is our lane.”
“The Gun Violence Prevention Platform represents one of the most extensive, multi-faceted plans ever put forth by the County to address gun violence,” noted Dr. Ferrer. “It rejects the idea – all too common – that we have no choice but to resign ourselves to this insidious threat to daily life and wellbeing.”
The Task Force is expected to release a progress report around the four priorities this summer. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at 626-293-2610 or ovp@ph.lacounty.gov.
Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention has released a new report, “Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County,” which highlights suicide and suicide attempt data among Los Angeles County youth ages 10-24 between 2016 and 2020. The report includes general demographics, methods most frequently used, and suicide trends during the five-year period. The report also briefly overviews reported suicides and attempts during 2020, with the acknowledgment that there is still much more to understand about this unprecedented time. The report concludes with links to prevention resources that reduce stigma and normalize mental health as an integral component of health and wellbeing.
This past summer, OVP launched the Gun Violence Prevention Platform. The 40-point plan, unprecedented in scope, outlines evidence-based and innovative prevention, intervention, and healing strategies to prevent gun violence. For more information on the Platform, its structure and strategies, please visit: Gun Violence Prevention Platform
LA vs Hate
OVP supports the County’s LA vs. Hate Initiative led by the Human Relations Commission in collaboration with community partners.
LA vs Hate is a community-centered creative campaign to encourage and support all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate.
If you are the victim, or witness of, a hate incident or hate crime you can report the incident/crime with 211 LA. Your report is confidential and 211 is not affiliated with law enforcement.
OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan
After extensive review and input, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) Early Implementation Strategic Plan was adopted by the County Leadership Committee and Community Partnership Council in September 2020. Read more about OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan here.
The OVP Strategic Plan is a live document and we welcome your ongoing feedback, specifically as it pertains to our priorities, goals, objectives and strategies. Please provide your input by sending an email to ovp@ph.lacounty.gov or email Andrea Welsing, OVP Director, directly at awelsing@ph.lacounty.gov. We hope you will provide your thoughts, comments and recommendations for the Strategic Plan and that you will continue to be part of our violence prevention and healing efforts as we work together to advance strategies to prevent violence and promote healing.
DPH Director's Message on Racism
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer,
acknowledges that addressing law enforcement violence and racism are core to public health.
