Culturally Responsive Programming as a Violence Prevention Strategy
This webinar is part of a series on the Comprehensive School-Based Violence and Victimization Program from LISC Safety & Justice and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). DOJ OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to youth delinquency and victimization.
A Case Study of El Joven Noble in Lompoc, CA
The Power of Culture
Young people need extra support and guidance during their adolescent years. School programs that provide culturally competent mentorship are helping students and school communities thrive.
School districts have the dual challenge of maintaining safe behavior on campus while simultaneously producing positive student learning outcomes. Violence and disruptive behaviors usually emerge in youth during middle school years but can start as early as elementary school. These occurrences can compromise long-term academic performance and learning outcomes for all students.
The city of Lompoc, CA is no exception, facing an increase in fighting and disruptive behavior among elementary and middle school students that has compromised students’ sense of safety and contributed to rising rates of violent juvenile offenses in Santa Barbara County. Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) identified the 2019 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive School-
Based Approach to Youth Violence and Victimization program as an opportunity to implement the Lompoc Youth Violence Prevention Project. LUSD’s goal was to develop a long-term community partnership model focused on reducing youth violence and related challenges.