Youth Violence Prevention in Virginia:
A Needs Assessment

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Table of Contents

I. Scope of Youth Violence in Virginia. This section examines the extent of youth violence in Virginia, including regional patterns and differences. This section further describes some family and social characteristics of youth most at-risk to engage in violent crime.

II. Overview of effective practices in youth violence prevention. What are the most effective practices in youth violence prevention? This section identifies proven strategies and programs for communities, schools, and families.

III. Virginia youth violence prevention programs. What youth prevention programs are already in place in Virginia and how much is being spent by state and local agencies? This section reviews numerous funding sources and agency programs, including the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, Byrne Grants, Title V, and many others.

IV. Virginia needs -- Two Perspectives. What do Virginia professionals in law enforcement, education, and community service regard as the most useful violence prevention strategies? This section summarizes a statewide survey of professionals actively involved in youth violence prevention. In addition, this section highlights the recommendations resulting from the Attorney General's Task Force on Youth Gangs and Violence.

V. Recommendations. This final section makes specific recommendations for systematic improvement and improved coordination of current prevention efforts, and identifies critical program needs in areas such as mentoring, character education, conflict resolution, bullying reduction, after-school supervision, and juvenile offender assistance.

Appendices. This report includes an extensive bibliography, contact information for national and state resources, a list of state and community grants, and a special section on preventing gun violence in schools.