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Violence Prevention/Intervention Program The Violence Prevention/Intervention Program (VPIP) of the Social Service Department, addresses both criminal activity and such contributing factors as substance abuse, lack of education, unemployment and bad peer influences. The overall goal of the Violence Prevention/Intervention Program is to promote public safety by teaching young offenders alternatives to dangerous or violent behavior. Designed primarily for 17 to 25 year old offenders, the VPIP serves offenders who have been referred by the court after sentencing for such charges as assault, battery, disorderly conduct, vandalism and drug offenses. All offenders in the program must keep individual appointments with case officers and meet specific requirements of their individual court orders, such as paying restitution to victims or performing community service. In addition, all undergo assessments to determine whether they need referrals for medical, psychological or substance abuse treatment. Offenders may also be required to pursue schooling or vocational training. Central to the success of the Violence Prevention/Intervention Program is the concept of developing close working partnerships between the courts, organizations, agencies and programs within communities. Recognizing that offenders have lived in their communities before, during and after the period of their court sentences, court case officers and community members work together to design and provide resources to prevent further criminal behavior and to support lawful conduct. Officers of the Social Service Department contact schools, alcohol and drug treatment agencies, churches, mental health clinics, mentoring groups, shelters and other facilities to create the broadest possible network of resources. The Department continues to invite and solicit the participation of other parties interested in addressing the challenges of street crime and violence. Three key partners from the larger community play central roles in the education component, The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital. The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, which was the first major partner to collaborate with VPIP, developed a nine-session curriculum teaching anger control, conflict resolution and alternatives to violence. This curriculum provides the core of the educational component of the Violence Prevention/Intervention Program and the focus for its group discussion sessions. After completing this course, the offenders view a presentation called Think First developed by the American Association of Neurosurgeons and presented by The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the second major program partner. Think First combines live and taped presentations regarding potential consequences of violence, including paralysis and death. A peer educator, disabled as a result of street violence, then shares his or her story with offenders whom the peer engages in discussion by answering questions about his or her specific situation. Some of the offenders also participate in a half-day presentation at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, the third and newest major program partner. At this presentation, called In My Shoes, offenders pair up with peer counselors disabled by violence to directly experience the challenges of disability. Upon completion of the program, offenders have received exposure to a variety of learning experiences to assist them in changing their behaviors and attitudes regarding street crimes and violence. With the support of their communities, they should be able to turn the end of their study into the beginning of violence-free lives. |
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