County Of Herkimer: Departments: Youth Violence Prevention [Digital Towpath]

Youth Violence and Bullying Prevention is everyone’s responsibility

The Herkimer County Youth Violence Prevention Committee has been working toward the goal of preventing bullying and youth violence in Herkimer County schools and communities.

In July 2003, the Youth Violence Prevention Committee was organized to help identify ways to address these issues.

This group has brought together leaders from county government, schools, law enforcement and human services to raise awareness about youth violence and bullying, and to develop services and supports for youth that will help to reduce these behaviors in Herkimer County schools and communities.

In September 2003, the group sponsored a nationally renowned speaker, Dr. James Garbarino, to get a better understanding of the issues facing our youth and to help identify strategies that would prevent problem behaviors.

After the presentation, the Youth Violence Prevention Committee has met monthly to review information from various sources on the causes of bullying and youth violence, and on initiatives that could be implemented at home, at school, and in the community to address needs.

A preliminary plan of action was developed. In May 2004, representatives from the Youth Violence Prevention Committee met with twenty youth from the Teen Leadership Group from Frankfort High School to discuss youth violence and bullying and to gain input on this plan.

Our discussion with these youths helped the Youth Violence Prevention Committee refine its action plan and identify specific strategies to combat bullying and youth violence in Herkimer County.

The strategies selected provide prevention and early intervention services for youth, promote positive youth development, raise awareness and provide education, information, and resources for youth and adults.

About the Initiative
Key Facts
Activities
Committee Members
Sponsors
Information for Parents
Teens: Bullying and Youth Violence Information for Teens
Radio and TV PSA's (Public Service Announcements)
Local Resources
Get Involved

For Youth, Parents, Professionals and the Community: The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center provides resources for professionals, parents and youth working to prevent violence committed by and against young people. Log on to http://www.safeyouth.org for more information.
See It and Stop It See It and Stop It is an awareness campaign created by Massachusetts teens to help prevent teen dating relationship violence. Visit www.seeitandstopit.org to learn more about the warning signs of dating violence, ways to stop it and how to make a difference in your school or community.
Stop Bullying Now! Stop Bullying Now! is a public awareness and prevention campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov to find out more about bullying and what can be done to stop it. This website includes animated stories of young people who deal with bullying and has many resources available for parents, professionals and community members.
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) engages students in violence prevention efforts and empowers them with the knowledge necessary to provide service to their community and school. Visit http://www.nationalsave.org/main/start.php to learn more.
For Parents: ACT—Adults and Children Together—Against Violence is a violence prevention project that focuses on adults who raise, care for, and teach children ages 0 to 8 years. It is designed to prevent violence by providing young children with positive role models and environments that teach nonviolent problem - solving. Visit their website at http://www.actagainstviolence.org/ to learn more.
The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center has a page devoted to parents and what they can do to prevent youth violence. http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/parents/index.asp
The Family Violence Prevention The Family Violence Prevention Fund works to prevent violence within the home and in the community to help those whose lives are devastated by violence. Visit http://endabuse.org/ for more information.
The Center for Health and Health Care The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools contains a Parents Resource Center that includes children’s information and links on keeping your child safe and healthy. Visit http://www.healthinschools.org/parents/learn.htm#safety to learn more.
A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free is a public education website developed by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) to support the efforts of parents and caring adults. Visit their website at http://family.samhsa.gov/ to access valuable information and resources.
Talking With Kids Talking With Kids is a national campaign developed by Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Web site offers practical, concrete tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with young children ages 8 to 12 about some very tough issues: sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol . Visit http://www.talkingwithkids.org/ to learn more.
For Schools: Bully-Proofing Your School is a system-wide prevention program designed to help students and adults work together to create a safe and caring school community where teachers can teach and students can learn. The program utilizes a team approach involving administrators, teachers, support staff, students and the community to change the climate in the school. Curriculum is available for early childhood, elementary and middle schools . Visit their website at http://www.creatingcaringcommunities.org/Services2.html for more information.
The New York State Center for School Safety (NYSCSS) The New York State Center for School Safety (NYSCSS) is committed to promoting research-driven, data-based solutions to school violence and promoting safe and healthy learning environments where students are secure in their pursuit of educational success and where teachers and administrators can make this a reality. Visit http://www.mhric.org/scss/aboutus.html for information and access to training and resources.
Please Stand Up! Please Stand Up! is an interactive CD-ROM produced by NYSCSS for middle and high school students, educators, parents and community members to help eradicate school violence by showing you the best way to handle a variety of dangerous and self-destructive situations. Visit http://www.pleasestandup.org/index.htm to view samples of the videos.
Article: “Bullying—Is It Part of Growing Up Article: “Bullying—Is It Part of Growing Up, or Part of School Violence?” http://www.healthinschools.org/focus/2004/no2.htm
Motivational Media Assemblies Motivational Media Assemblies deliver high-impact multi media assembly presentations for elementary, middle, and high school students. These productions use movie clips, music videos and sports footage to promote decision-making, conflict resolution, drug prevention and personal excellence. For more information about these assemblies, go to http://www.motivationalmedia.org/.
For Community Members: Fight Crime: Invest in Kids is a bipartisan, nonprofit anti-crime organization led by more than 2,000 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, victims of violence and leaders of police officer associations. Its mission is to take a look at the research about what really works-and what doesn't work-to keep kids from becoming criminals. We then put that information in the hands of policy-makers and the public. Visit http://www.fightcrime.org/ to learn more.
Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/report.html

Report: “Helping Your Children Navigate Their Teenage Years: (PDF - 506.4 KB) A Guide for Parents”. White House Council on Youth Violence, December 2000. (PDF Format)