Very interesting read here on an innovative youth violence prevention effort in Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1Q5myq
The idea of using statistics and research to target the most at-risk can be controversial; after all, not all youth receive services in this model. However, the approach reminds of the Operation Ceasefire initiative in Boston that was successful in reducing youth gang violence in the early 90′s. Bottom line is that it is always encouraging to see systemic approaches to youth violence prevention that combine research and outside-the-box thinking. Whether it succeeds or fails either way we can learn from it, which is more than I can say about one-shot interventions like “youth violence prevention week.”