MANDEL SCHOOL
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Since 2010, Begun Center researchers have been working with the Partnership for a Safer Cleveland and its STANCE Cleveland initiative to assist public housing officers with violence prevention efforts through a program known as Police Assisted Referrals (PAR). The funding will continue to support the collaborative efforts of the partnership, the Begun Center, the police department of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and Mental Health Services (MHS).

The program is one of the first of its kind in the country, providing Cleveland housing authority officers with the training and resources they need to assist families and children that experience violence. After a traumatic event, family members are immediately linked with health and social services agencies that can provide education, mental health screening and treatment.

"With all the divisiveness, finger pointing and blaming that is occurring on the national and state levels, it is heartening to collaborate among foundations, social service providers, law enforcement, community agencies and academe to address the important issue of exposure to violence among our community's youth," said Mark Singer, PhD, Begun Center deputy director and Leonard W. Mayo Professor of Family and Child Welfare.

The announcement of the grant was made prior to a consortium on youth violence last week. The event featured presentations by Begun Center researchers, former Congressman Louis Stokes and keynote speaker John Rich, MD.

Related Links

Program helps CMHA police connect residents with help

Youth violence in Cleveland targeted by new group that looks for answers to stem crime