As a result of this collaboration, we saw a 10 percent decrease in overall crime in 1995. Since public safety is our number one concern, SCI's goal is to provide positive alternatives to violence by striving to help young people accept responsibility for their actions and to change their attitudes. Train neighborhood leaders and community groups in ways to collaborate, thereby identifying gaps in services and maximizing resources by asking them to look at the way they were doing business. Build partnerships with government, business, Denver Public Schools and community groups. This partnership has provided resources for the opening of 26 new after-school programs which have promoted family involvement, increased academic achievement and the employment of more than 1,000 youths.
School counselors indicate that there have been significant changes in youths' grades and behavior.
A Youth Summit was held with more than 800 youth exchanging ideas on anti-violence issues. The summit served to challenge high achievers and provided incentives for marginal and low achievers to broaden their horizons. Utilize an outcome-based evaluation that provides information to measure reduction in crime, behavioral changes, academic improvement and the effects of the programs on school truancy, suspension and expulsion statistics. Take an interdisciplinary approach to funding programs, i.e., work with CDA and other funders to reduce duplication, thereby maximizing resources. This effort has brought five federal agencies and five Denver and suburban jurisdictions together to enhance our law enforcement and crime prevention efforts.