The Impact of Culturally Relevant Violence Prevention Models on School-Age Youth

Abstract

The Family and Community Violence Prevention (FCVP) Program was established in 1994 to address the escalation of youth violence among ethnic minorities. This federally funded program adapted the public health model and organized Family Life Centers throughout the country to serve youth who were considered to be at risk for violence and other abusive behaviors. The purpose of this three-year study, 1999-2002, was to determine the effectiveness of the FCVP Program's six-component curriculum in reducing violence among participants. Results from posttest scores of 2,315 youth showed girls 12 and over to be most at risk for deviant behaviors; the program was most effective with boys under age 12. Academic performance and bonding to school were protective factors whereas exposure to violence was a risk factor for all four ethnic groups studied--African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians. EDITORS' STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: Cultural anthropologists, public health specialists, and school officials should know that prevention programs can be designed to reflect the unique, culturally appropriate norms of specific ethnic minority groups, even as these programs address shared risk factors. The authors discuss the promising strategy of enhancing academic performance and school bonding to serve as protective factors against school violence, but they also describe age, gender, and cultural differences that must be addressed in future research.

Students' Perceptions of the Importance of School Safety Strategies: An Introduction to the IPSS Survey

“…First, researchers have examined the Family and Community Violence Program (FCVP), which was originally designed around the public health model using the Social Learning Theory. This program was most effective at younger ages, lending support for early interventions (Rodney et al, 2005). Other prevention models are based around education and positive youth development.…”

“…Previous research has indicated that moderate student involvement is often times considered a safety strategy (Rodney et al, 2005). By focusing on after-school activities, it is less likely that these adolescents will exhibit academic problems or contribute to delinquency.…”

“…Two primary perspectives regarding how to view and handle school violence are emerging from the research. One perspective supports violence reduction/elimination programs (Olweus, 1991;Edwards, Hunt, Meyers, Grogg, & Jarrett, 2005;Knox & Roberts, 2005;Miller, Kraus, & Veltkamp, 2005;Rodney, Johnson, & Srivastava, 2005); the other values programs that support and create a safer school environments (Peterson & Skiba, 2001;Oswald, Safran, & Johanson, 2005). Experts agree that the most effective approaches are a combination of both perspectives so that there are strategies that address the reality of violence as well as more positive-toned educational programs (Astor, Meyer, Benbenishty, Marachi, & Rosemond, 2005;Kelley, Mills, & Shuford, 2005;Whitlock, 2006).…”

Culturally Sensitive Interventions and Health and Behavioral Health Youth Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic Review

“…= .077 to .230, p < .001) (Brody et al, 2006) to .279 (95% C.I. = .155 to .403, p < .001) (Rodney, Johnson, & Srivastava, 2005). These findings suggest the results are relatively robust, at least at this level of analysis.…”

When ‘el intérprete’ is also the ‘learner’: An Innovative Youth Empowerment Project for Immigrant Youth

“…Programs that targeted ethnic minority youth often employed intervention and risk prevention based strategies, implemented through culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy. Examples of these programs include Family and Community Violence Prevention (Rodney, Johnson, & Srivastava, 2005), Families and Schools Together (FAST); (Guerra, & Knox, 2008), and Joven Noble (Tello, Servantes, Cordova, & Santos, 2010). Other programs include those that promote college outreach and support (Denner, Cooper, Dunbar, & Lopez, 2005;Diversi & Mecham, 2005;Hishinuma, Chang, Sy, Greaney, Morris, Scrance, et al, 2009;Larson & Walker, 2006;Riggs, Bohnert, Guzman, & Davidson, 2010).…”