This publication provides insight into the best practices and strategies to address gang violence and victimization. It captures valuable information shared during a series of virtual technical assistance and community of practice events held by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the National Gang Center from July-December 2020. The events addressed topics related to gang reduction for fiscal year 2018 and 2019 OJJDP gang program grantees.
This resource aims to assist when taking into consideration questions around strategic collaboration, engaging gang-involved youth and addressing their needs, trauma-informed care, and project implementation and sustainability. Such questions include: Are we moving on the right path with our initiative? Have others encountered these same challenges? If so, how did they overcome them? Are there potential pitfalls of which we should be aware? What other strategies could improve our initiative or refine our efforts? The publication provides an overview of the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model as well as insights and strategies for engaging partners, establishing a steering committee and leveraging the involvement of organizations and community groups. The From the Field section highlights OJJDP grantee presentations from events for establishing strategic partnerships and collaboration to address gang violence and victimization.