Youth Violence as a Public Health Issue Dr. Hanifa Shabazz President of the Wilmington (DE) City Council
Dr. Hanifa Shabazz is a nine-year member of National League of Cities and its affiliate member organization, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC LEO). She has served in various leadership positions with NBC LEO including President. Dr. Shabazz is also one of several NBC LEO members selected to deliver presentations on a panel at the 2012 World Conference of Mayors International Leadership Conference in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. In 2016, Dr. Shabazz made history as the first female to be elected President of the Wilmington City Council.
Two years after Newsweek dubbed our small town south of Philadelphia “Murder Town USA” there were 127 shooting incidents and 154 victims in Wilmington, Delaware. That figure had represented a nearly 45% increase in the number of shootings since the city had been stamped with the unfortunate label.
A byproduct of the crisis we have with violence in Wilmington is the crisis of childhood trauma, which has lasting effects if left untreated. As the President of the Wilmington Delaware City Council, I had been in the trenches grappling with the issue of youth violence and the fallout of trauma for years. In 2013 when I sponsored a resolution to have the City Council call for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to come to Wilmington to investigate the growing gun violence in the City as a “public health issue.”
At the request of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, the CDC came in investigated. In its finding the CDC made recommendations on how the city could effectively address the issue of violence in the city of Wilmington with the support of State government agencies and community organizations. One of the key recommendations was the establishment of a coalition of representatives from the government, for-profit and non- profit to work on the various contributors to the crisis.
CDC Recommendations Addressing the Problem
CDC Recommendations ❑ Foster violence-free environments ❑ Promote positive opportunities and connections to trusted adults for youth in our city ❑ Intervene with youth and families at the first sign of risk ❑ Restore youth who have gone down the wrong path ❑ Protect children and youth from violence in the community ❑ Address policy issues that have unintended adverse consequences for youth ❑ Integrate services directed at improving the condition of youth in our city
HOW?
Oversight Stewardship Technical Assistance Public Policy Messaging
HOW? ❑ The coalition has served as catalyst for action on multi-dimensional population health model for collective impact ❑ State agencies and community organizations have partnered with the city to begin implementation of pilot projects, leveraging existing resources and seeking new funding ❑ We have seen significant accomplishments to be proud of, with regard to the state of Wilmington youth, but we also have significant opportunities for growth
Progress Connection to a Caring Adult According to 2017 Kids Count Delaware Fact Book 95% of surveyed 8th graders in Delaware reported having someone that "gives them a lot of support and encouragement .” Safe Haven for Youth 2,944 youth participated in DPBHS Extended Hours/Summer Safe Haven Program 66,193.5 hours off the street and in a safe, supportive environment
Progress Employment Opportunities for Youth 450 youth employed by City’s ‘17 Summer Youth Employment Program Support Services & Employment Opportunities for Adults 200 people referred to UPS for seasonal positions and 22 accepted positions Training Educators 4,300 Delaware educators trained by Compassionate School Learning Collaborative and Compassionate Connections Partnership
But we still have a ways to go …
Questions?
Recommend
More recommend
