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APRIL 2013, VOLUME 3, NUMBER 3
 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Primary Prevention 

Forum Feature: Detroit 

First Book 

Updates 

News & Views 

• Reports 

• News 

• Other resources 

Announcements & Upcoming Events 

• Training opportunities 

• Funding opportunities 

PRIMARY 

PREVENTION 

Howard Spivak, M.D., and Marci Hertz graciously 

made time for us in their busy schedules to 

answer some questions about prevention. Both 

work in the Division of Violence Prevention at the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Dr. 

Spivak as Director and Ms. Hertz as a Health 

Specialist. In the interview, their commitment to 

violence reduction came through loud and clear, 

as did their vast knowledge about how to 

approach this issue effectively. Below is part one 

of our interview. Part two will appear in the May 

issue. 

Is there a dif ference between "prevention" and 

"primary prevention"? 

Dr. Spivak explained that in a public health model, 

prevention includes a spectrum of activities. 

Primary prevention activities complement 

secondary and tertiary prevention activities; all 

three types are needed to address a problem like 

violence. Dr. Spivak noted that many wellmeaning folks tend to focus on secondary and 

FORUM FEATURE: 

DETROIT 

Detroit, Detroit: How Does Your Garden Grow? 

In Metro Detroit, Riet Schumack's sprawling gardens crown the 

town of Brightmoor in all their glory. Over a verdant slope of flora, 

a field brimming with beets, broccoli, and beans stretches to the 

Rogue River. The landscape is so lush and quiet, it's hard to 

believe bustling Telegraph Road is just a stone's throw from Riet's 

home. But that's exactly where the gardens began, bringing 

inspiration, hope, and restorative therapy to hundreds of 

neighborhood kids each spring. 

The 40 gardens span 34,000 square feet of city space and serve 

as a second home for kids from the Youth Development Program, 

which has made many a young thumb a bit greener. The program 

is building valuable life skills with kids and teens, who gather the 

fruits and veggies for each season's harvest with a genuine sense 

of accomplishment. 

And it's all thanks to residents like Riet. In 2005, when she bought 

her Brightmoor home, it was one of many on the block in utter 

disrepair. She began renovating the house and signed up for the 

Urban Roots Community Garden Leader Training Program, a 

collaboration with Michigan State University Extension. Then 

sh d i ki il f rd ld h l lti t 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tertiary activities since they address current 

problems. But he emphasized that without 

primary prevention activities, the roots of the 

problems cannot be addressed. 

Primary prevention focuses on whole populations 

and aims to reduce or prevent the development of 

issues, problems, or risk behaviors. These 

activities make the general population less 

violent. Primary prevention includes strategies 

implemented with individuals or small groups 

such as universal school-based violence 

prevention programs, as well as broader 

strategies that can be implemented at the 

community level. Community-level strategies can 

be program or policy focused—for example, Big 

Brothers, Big Sisters, or alcohol outlet density. 

Secondary prevention activities target higher-risk 

individuals or groups, including those that engage 

in high-risk behaviors (e.g., carrying a weapon, 

using drugs) and those with risk factors that put 

them at elevated risk for becoming engaged in 

violence (e.g., siblings of gang members, youth 

with developmental disabilities). These activities 

are structured to prevent further involvement in 

violence. Many different kinds of strategies and 

interventions fall under the umbrella of secondary 

prevention. For instance, a conflict-resolution 

program could be integrated into school activities 

targeting at-risk kids. Wraparound services might 

be provided to identified at-risk youth, not only for 

skill building but for monitoring purposes. 

Tertiary prevention focuses on individuals "way 

downstream"—that is, people who have already 

deeply penetrated the juvenile or criminal justice 

system. These individuals might be in detention 

or jail. The goal of tertiary prevention programs is 

to lessen the degree to which these people may 

be involved in violence down the road. An 

example is reentry programs, which tend to 

provide more services than prevention. 

To illustrate the various levels of prevention, Dr. 

Spivak used smoking as an analogy. For 

instance, primary prevention includes activities to 

reduce the risk of people starting. Such activities 

could include statutory changes, communication 

strategies, and even legal approaches (media 

campaigns, increasing the cost of cigarettes, 

making it more difficult to smoke in different 

places, and implementing age limits). Secondary 

prevention includes smoking cessation programs. 

Tertiary prevention includes addressing lung 

cancer to save a life. 

Continue Reading 

she dug in, raking soil for a garden everyone could help cultivate. 

It was no accident that the plot was flanked by a drug house and 

popular corner for prostitution, but before long, Riet's good garden 

vibes began to drive away neighborhood crime. Four years later, 

she had enough volunteers to start Neighbors Building 

Brightmoor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to "mobilizing, 

equipping, and helping each other to create a beautiful, healthy, 

and sustainable community." Riet is one of many activists in 

Northwest Detroit whose revitalization efforts have helped 

longtime residents remember what they first loved about the area. 

Once-abandoned homes are now being bought and restored. 

Riet's young gardeners learn the value of hard work in more than 

theory, with fresh produce generating $7,000 for the Northwest 

Detroit Farmer's Market and a community investment that renews 

itself every year in a bounty of carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, 

lettuce, watermelon, broccoli, pumpkins, and squash. With every 

seed sown comes an appreciation for life, growth, and prosperity 

—principles that Mother Nature often teaches best. 

The gardens have also educated kids about income, credit, and 

debt. Youth Growing Brightmoor Market Gardens introduces 

young farmers to the business aspects of urban agriculture. They 

can earn up to $100 each month, plus a $15 stipend for attending 

a weekly financial literacy program. 

There are visions of fruit trees in Brightmoor's plans for the 

gardens, and expansion onto adjacent street lots is in the works. 

Riet wants to boost the city's economy by creating small farms 

throughout the city to stock local markets, restaurants, stores, 

hospitals, and nursing homes, all while filling abandoned lots. 

The garden program is an example of Detroit's "built 

environment"—structured improvements to manmade 

surroundings like parks, buildings, and transportation systems 

that can reduce crime and improve quality of life for residents. At 

their basic level, built environment features make neighborhoods 

and cities look and feel safer, adding light to dark corners, 

securing exits and entries to local businesses, and posting signs 

that designate public and private areas. Annie Ellington, Director 

of the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, talked about 

ongoing efforts to renovate areas where conditions have 

deteriorated. 

"In Detroit, public safety, community pride, and youth engagement 

all cross in one way or another. [Challenges] are the growing 

number of abandoned homes, our aging lighting infrastructure, 

the continued population loss, etc. It's difficult to maintain 

environments where vacancy rates are increasing. Mayor Dave 

Bing, Governor Rick Snyder, and other elected officials have 

identified public safety as a top priority." To that end, the 

Residential Demolition Program, Neighborhood Stabilization

and School Anchor Program, Detroit Blight Authority, and 

100 Houses Campaign are gaining ground. 

Blight is the city's major environmental concern. A blighted 

structure, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development, is one showing objectively determinable 

signs of deterioration sufficient to constitute a threat to human 

health, safety, and public welfare. According to a 2012 Detroit 

Free Press article, more than 33,000 abandoned and potentially 

dangerous structures threaten Detroit students as they travel to 

and from school. "In mapping Detroit's Safe Routes to School 

program, the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (DYVPI) 
ro ra the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative YVPI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST 

BOOK
 

There is something truly special about a new 

book. The scent of paper, ink, and glue ... the 

crinkling of its spine opening for the first time ...

these are memories from our earliest experiences 

of reading and learning. Although used books 

also have their charm, a brand new book says 

"this one was meant for me." 

Included in this issue is an interview with Howard 

Spivak, M.D., Director of the Division of Violence 

Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, in which Dr. Spivak outlines and 

defines all aspects of prevention. Providing new 

books to children is one of the most basic and 

effective prevention tools we have to shield youth 

from involvement in violent behavior. Simple, 

resourceful ideas like First Book often provide the 

best primary prevention. Evidence shows that a 

child's interest in reading triples with the gift of a 

new book. The potential of books to shape the 

minds and creativity of our children is powerful— 

especially when they are our books. 

First Book is a nonprofit organization that has 

provided new books to local schools and 

community programs since 1992. Rather than 

duplicate efforts or reinvent the wheel, First Book 

works to supply existing community heroes with 

the new books and educational resources they 

need to help children. Almost 100 percent of 

revenue donated to First Book supports their 

current program, and only $2.50 is needed to 

purchase a new book for a child. 

As a leader in your community, you can rely on 

First Book to bring needed resources to local 

groups. Any Title I (or Title I eligible) school or 

classroom can sign up—as well as any 

community program serving at least 70 percent 

children from low-income families—to get brand 

new, quality books for free or at a very low cost. 

p g m, (D ) 

learned some youths walk as far as three miles to school and are 

sure to encounter hazardous conditions," said Annie. 

"Communities like the DYVPI target areas of Cody, Osborn, and 

Denby all face high rates of crime, poverty, and blight. The three 

target areas are also home to a significant portion of Detroit's 

youth population. Students and patrol groups have identified 

many abandoned homes as hubs for truancy, drug sales, dog 

fighting, gang activity, and prostitution. As a result of Safe Routes, 

efforts include the identification of dangerous structures that pose 

a threat to students." 

Detroit's many environmental and anti-crime initiatives are uniting 

local, state, and federal agencies and building camaraderie 

among residents and youth. "Every spring there's the Motor City 

Makeover, Adopt-a-Park, and board-up campaigns," said Annie. 

"In essence, you have to adjust from environmental issues to 

minimize crime—to constantly engaging people to change that 

environment. Crime strategies such as 'Broken Windows' are 

appropriate solutions for more stable and some transitional 

communities. For example, one of Detroit's most desirable 

communities embraced the concept and improved 

community/police relationships to address and reduce property 

crimes." 

Overall, there is a greater understanding of the relationship 

between blight and public safety, noted Annie. 

Tending to Detroit is a labor of love, and advocates like Riet and 

Annie are determined to watch their city grow and flourish. The 

effort will take all hands, said Annie. "Detroit will continue to 

engage stakeholders in conversations about public safety and 

revitalization. Those conversations inform strategies that build 

partnerships and leverage resources to foster safe, healthy, and 

vibrant environments." 

Additional Resources 

Detroit Works Project: detroitworksproject.com 

The Built Environment and Health—11 Profiles of 

Neighborhood Transformation:

http://www.preventioninstitute.org/index.php? 

option=com_jlibrary&view=article&id=114&

Itemid=127 

Neighbors Building Brightmoor: 

http://neighborsbuildingbrightmoor.org 

Cultivating Community Gardens: The Role of Local 

Government in Creating Healthy, Livable Neighborhoods:

http://www.lgc.org/freepub/docs/community_design/

fact_sheets/community_gardens_cs.pdf 

NEWS 

& VIEWS 

R t
O

Ail 10MihllObdd Chif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Book is eager to partner with civic groups 

too. Local volunteer groups are active in more 

than 160 communities throughout the country, 

including Memphis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, 

and Philadelphia, and First Book works directly 

with other civic groups, like the African American 

Chamber of Commerce in Camden, New Jersey. 

For more information, visit firstbook.org or watch 

a video on how First Book can help get new 

books for students. 

UPDATES 

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention convened in Washington, 

D.C., on April 12, 2013, to discuss 

implementation of recommendations in the 

"Report of the Attorney General's National

Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence." 

Attorney General Eric Holder commissioned the 

report as part of the Defending Childhood 

initiative, and it has become a blueprint for 

reducing trauma among children who witness or 

experience violence. 

The Council coordinates federal programs for 

juvenile delinquency prevention and missing and 

exploited children. Robert L. Listenbee, 

Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention, serves as vice chair. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

& UPCOMING EVENTS
 

Training Opportunities 

Just Detention International and the Office on 

Violence Against Women will present the Webinar 

"Safe and Secure: Providing Services for 

Incarcerated Youth" on May 1, 2013. Topics for 

discussion include services addressed in the 

Prison Rape Elimination Act standards, 

challenges of providing care in detention, ways to 

adapt crisis interventions to these settings, and 

strategies for providing the community standard 

of care to youth detainees. 

"Implementation Science and the Importance 

of Fidelity: Replicating Evidence-Based

Practices" is the latest Webinar in a series 

Reports 

Survey of Youth in Residential Placement 2003 

National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, 2013 

The Survey of Youth in Residential Placement is part of a 

series of assessments conducted by OJJDP to provide 

information about the characteristics and backgrounds of youths, 

including offense histories, service needs, and expectations for 

the future. 

Youth Violence Prevention: Public Health Intervention and 

High Risk Populations 

Crime, HIV and Health: Intersections of Criminal Justice and
 

Public Health Concerns, 2013 

The 12th chapter of this report, "Youth Violence Prevention:
 

Public Health Intervention and High Risk Populations,"
 

focuses on adoption and implementation of a public health model 

for violence intervention among high-risk youth in California cities. 

Juvenile Justice Reform in Connecticut 

Justice Policy Institute, 2013 

This report describes Connecticut's success in juvenile justice 

reform and provides lessons for other states and communities 

striving to improve their juvenile justice systems. 

Culturally Responsive Strategies to Address Youth Gangs in 

Schools 

Handbook of Culturally Responsive School Mental Health, 2013 

Youth gangs may negatively affect school climate and contribute 

to overall student victimization. Kids in gangs are responsible for 

up to seven times more violent crime offenses than those not 

involved in gangs. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978 

-1-4614-4948-5_13 

Reducing Youth Incarceration in the United States 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2013 

In 2010, the U.S. youth confinement rate reached a new 35-year 

low—a decline that has not led to higher juvenile crime rates. This 

report highlights positive de-institutionalization trends and 

recommendations that encourage the humane and just treatment 

of youth. 

Raising the Age of Juvenile Court Jurisdiction 

Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, 2013 

When Illinois increased the age of adulthood for criminal 

misdemeanor offenses to 18, it became the only U.S. state to 

simultaneously route youth of the same age (17) to juvenile court 

and adult criminal court. Now, the Illinois Juvenile Justice 

Commission recommends adopting legislation to include 17-

year-olds charged with felonies in the juvenile court jurisdiction 

age. 

Teen Dating Abuse and Harassment in the Digital World

Implications for Prevention and Intervention 

Urban Institute, 2013 

Victims of digital abuse and harassment are two times likelier to 

be physically abused, 2.5 times likelier to be psychologically 

abused, and five times likelier to be sexually coerced, according 

to this report. 

News 

Michelle Obama Speaks on Youth Violence in Chicago 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hosted by the National Criminal Justice
 

Association. The May 1, 2013, Webinar will
 

highlight scientific findings on effective
 

implementation of evidence-based programs and
 

practices and how implementation can affect
 

desired outcomes.
 

On May 2, 2013, the Office of Safe and Healthy
 

Students and Office of Elementary and
 

Secondary Education will host "Preventing
 

Suicide, Resources for Schools," a Webinar
 

discussing suicide prevention, available school
 

resources, and the National Strategy for Suicide
 

Prevention.
 

Funding Opportunities 

The Department of Labor announced a 2013
 

Face Forward funding opportunity for programs
 

that offer services and training to improve longterm job prospects of system-involved youth.
 

Applications are due May 10, 2013.
 

OJJDP will fund rigorous, field-initiated research
 

and evaluations for the Community-Based
 

Violence Prevention Field-Initiated Research
 

Evaluation Program to prevent and reduce
 

youth violence and exposure to violence.
 

Applications are due May 28, 2013.
 

OJJDP will fund field-initiated studies that
 

advance understanding of a child and adolescent
 

development framework's application to juvenile
 

justice system approaches, policies, and
 

programs. Applications are due May 29, 2013.
 

Contact Us 

Send questions or feedback about the newsletter to 

NFYVP@dsgonline.com or subscribe. 

On April 10, Michelle Obama attended a Chicago conference on 

reducing violence. Mrs. Obama emphasized the city's

business, civil, and moral obligations to improve and expand 

children's resources and community support and talked to kids 

about neighborhood crime. 

Allstate CEO Wilson on Youth Violence, Boston Bomb 

In this video, Chief Executive Officer of Allstate Corporation 

Thomas Wilson discusses the April 15 bombing in Boston and a 

program to raise $50 million to combat neighborhood violence in 

Chicago. 

Other Resources 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). It's a time to 

educate the public about sexual violence and how to prevent it. 

The SAAM site provides information and materials for upcoming 

and past campaigns as well as Healthy Childhood Sexual 

Development Resources. 

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 

May 9 is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, an 

initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration to raise awareness about children's mental health 

and spread the message that good mental health is essential for 

proper development. Educational resources, event-planning 

guides, and a list of related conferences and meetings are 

available online. 

Take 25 Events 

A Take 25 event represents any opportunity to begin a 

conversation about child safety. Events can be hosted throughout 

the month of May and organizers receive free materials for each 

event registered online. 

The National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Newsletter 

is prepared under Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention (OJJDP) Cooperative Agreement No. 2012–MU– 

FX–K009 with Development Services Group, Inc. 

The views, opinions, and content of this newsletter are those 

of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, 

opinions, or policies of OJJDP.