Community-Based Prevention & Intervention Project to Reduce Impact of CEV

PB&J Family Services (PB&J) proposes the development of a comprehensive community plan and accompanying services addressing community and home violence and its effects on children/youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PB&J has partnered with several community organizations to develop a community Planning Team who will identify community strategies and services to address violence and service access barriers; create a comprehensive community plan; and conduct community outreach to increase awareness of services and referrals. PB&J will also provide children’s support groups and girls safety groups in currently underserved communities in Albuquerque where crime and violence are highest, and where those who have historically experienced marginalization and less access to services reside, specifically focusing on the South Valley and Southeast Heights neighborhoods. Children’s support groups and girls safety groups will serve between 88-120 children/youth ages 5-17 annually in Title I schools, community centers, and within juvenile justice facilities. Referrals will be accepted from teachers; counselors; social workers; domestic violence, health, mental health, and substance abuse providers; and others. Children’s support group participants will take part in evidence-based programming using the PEAR StrongLinks and Photo Justice curriculums that build social emotional well-being and increase protective factors to prevent or mitigate future victimization or acts of violence. Girls safety groups support girls at high-risk for violence and abuse and who are being held in juvenile detention. Curricula will focus on decreasing/terminating involvement in the juvenile justice system and delinquent behaviors, and increasing the participant’s safety, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. Parents and caregivers of participants who exhibit the need for additional support will be invited to group and individual interventions focused on parenting, relationships, and life skills, as well as job preparation and financial education. Group sessions will promote parent/child bonding and attachment, understanding of child development and past/present trauma to help prevent multi-generational cycles of abuse and violence, and safe and effective parenting practices. Case management services will be provided. Finally, PB&J and community Planning Team partners will conduct community outreach to increase awareness of youth violence and victimization prevention efforts through: area health fairs, school open houses, and other events; and a public awareness campaign with social media and billboard messaging. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive community plan addressing violence and its effects; increased public awareness of services and strategies to address violence; and children, youth, and family access to support systems that promote social-emotional wellbeing and family stability and reduce risky behaviors/justice involvement.