This means we have many opportunities but also should be focusing different approaches with different segments of the population. I want to use my time to make 5 points about prevention of youth violence and crime that I urge you to consider in your deliberations. Newer programs that build on the lessons of prior research are showing larger impact, in some cases, cutting rates by . These are impact levels that are as strong as our most successful public health and legal interventions. Even when effects are less strong, the benefits are very substantial and the cost-benefit is favorable.
Prevention works, but the effects depend much on what is done and how it is done.
We are learning what is important about making the difference. Unfortunately, many of the programs and efforts called prevention are not using these approaches and methods. In a national survey of schools, less than one half of the programs called violence prevention used methods that have proven effectiveness and in many instances, even when effective approaches were used, they were not being applied correctly. This affect requires a combination of school and family programming. This program also led to improved academic performance.