Presentation by:Integrated Partnerships to Support Community Transformation: Using Comprehensive Strategies to Strengthen Families and NeighborhoodsMichael Sparks, Associate Director, Free to Grow National Program Office

Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical EnvironmentIncreased Social CapitalIncrease Human Capital

The Free to Grow Program Integrated Family and Community Strengthening StrategiesImplemented by Head Start in Collaboration with Community Partners To reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors for substance abuse and other high risk behaviors

Free to Grow Primary StrategiesFamily AssessmentCase ManagementParent EducationFamily SupportSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment

Free to Grow Primary StrategiesLeadership DevelopmentCommunity AssessmentCommunity Action to Support Community ChangeCommunity Awareness

Introduction Free to Grow Strategies within Community Transformation Model: Improved Physical Environment Community Assessment (including property assessment) Community Awareness Community Action (support for increased code enforcement and policing)

Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical EnvironmentIncreased Social Capital Leadership Development Local Action Groups (block watch, neighborhood assns, etc) Family Support and Parent Education

Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical EnvironmentIncreased Social CapitalIncreased Human Capital Family Assessment Case Management SA & MH Treatment

Interventions Neighborhood improvement through modified physical environment (exterior and interior property improvement), increased safety, enhanced infrastructure Building of social connectedness between residents of neighborhoods Block watch, neighborhood associations, etc. Improving delivery of social services to neighborhood residents, SA treatment, MH treatment, family supports, employment, etc.

Head Start Coordinator of neighborhood intervention, coordination with families, service delivery Police Dept. of Sheriff Securing neighborhoods, training Community Action Program (CAP) Services for families Neighborhood Associations Guiding & shaping community action Code Enforcement Problem abatement in neighborhoods Building Department Enforcement of health and safety standards for rental property Vallejo Fire Department Weed abatement, hazardous waste removal

Key Partners & Possible Roles for Team Members

Faith Community Service delivery for families, person power for clean-ups Local Housing Organization First time homebuyer opportunities Chamber of Commerce Jobs programs, person power for neighborhood clean-ups Social Service Organizations and Providers network of needed services for individuals and families in neighborhoods Local School Representative Meeting space, coordinated services for families, community awareness

Key Partners Comprising Team

Selection of a Neighborhood A target area can range from one to six blocks in size. The Team considers the following criteria for selecting: High level of crime and violence Significant level of physical distress Number of Head Start Families in area Level of neighborhood organization Role alcohol outlets Ratio of owner occupied vs. rental properties Resources available to the Team Stimulation of similar resident-driven projects in nearby areas

Deteriorated Areas in VallejoCalls forServiceBy DensityAreas ofHighDeterioration&High Calls forService

Police Involvement (undercover operations, increased patrols, walking neighborhood, abandoned vehicles )Meeting Neighbors Engaging in Knock and TalksEnhancing Service Delivery to Residents (offering services to H.S. and non-H.S. families in neighborhood)Individual Property Assessments (interior and exterior)Building Neighborhood Organization (block meetings, shared projects, training, organizational facilitation and support)Code Enforcement Problem Abatement of property matainance violations, interior health and safety violations, etc) Clean-up of NeighborhoodActivities

Eight Step Process Order is flexibleStep One:

NeighborhoodProfileAnd Action

Police Department Intervention: Property Profile (owner/resident) Review individual property calls for service Individual background (as required) Abandoned Car Abatement Begins Begin criminal abatement Misdemeanor & Felony Arrests Review findings with Team for safety and informationOutcomes: 1) Secure area for future neighborhood work2) Identify parolees and probationers

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Head Start and Partner Outreach to Families Initiate Knock and Talks Begin with H.S. families Follow with outreach to non-H.S. families Focus on building relationship Listen to concerns about neighborhood If appropriate listen to family support and social service needs Be prepared to make on-going visits to familyOutcomes: 1) Begin development of relationsips with families in neighborhood 2) Better understand neighborhood issuesStep Two:

KnockAndTalks (on-going throughout process)

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)If High Level of Environmental Distress Each Property is Assessed: Properties are assessed to determine how properties are distressed Assessments performed by Team members including H.S., CODE agencies and if possible neighborhood residents to determine which municipal codes are being violated All properties are photographed for before and after for outcome documentation Properties are also assessed from a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CEPTED) perspective Residents are informed about property issues and incentives to clean-up are offered If needed/desired interior inspections of health and safety conditions are performed.Outcomes: 1) ID of exterior problems in housing 2) Create baseline for neighborhood standards 3) Target properties for code enforcement actionStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Meeting for Resident/Owners to: Personally meet Team members engaged in process Identify problems and solutions as a neighborhood Discuss what has been happening in neighborhood Start developing behavior and property maintenance standards for neighborhood Introduce availability of servicesOutcomes: 1) More information on issues in neighborhood2) Introduction of social service providersStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment(Two to three weeks)

Step Four:

BlockMeeting

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Enforcement of Municipal Codes (After Voluntary Efforts Have Failed) Abatement of all problem vehicles on public and private property Specialized traffic enforcement strategies Continued criminal abatement Code Enforcement issues citations for property violations not corrected which were identified in Step 3 Assistance with interior problem abatement is offered (homeowner and rental property)Outcomes: 1) Start of addressing broken window issues2) Establishes new norm in neighborhood about acceptable property conditionsStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment(Two to three weeks)

Step Four:

BlockMeeting

Step Five:

ProblemAbatement

Lead byEnforcementAgencies

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Planning Meeting with Residents Review resident reaction to neighborhood work thus far Elicit other issues or problems Introduce potential for clean-up day (can address issued Code violations) Continued emphasis on availability of referrals resources for needed services including job training, child care, counseling services, property improvement loans, etc.Outcomes: 1) Builds support for neighborhood clean up 2) Deepens relationships with service providersStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment(Two to three weeks)

Step Four:

BlockMeeting

Step Five:

ProblemAbatement

Step Six:

ResidentAndOwnerMeeting

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Clean-up day Team provides leaders to supervise neighborhood requests and correction of CODE violations by organized volunteer groups and residents Approx. 5 hour work duration BBQ for residents and workers Resource information displays Music and CelebrationOutcomes: 1) Builds social cohesion2) Further improves physical environmentStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment(Two to three weeks)

Step Four:

BlockMeeting

Step Five:

ProblemAbatement

Step Six:

ResidentAndOwnerMeeting

Step Seven:

TheClean-up

Eight Step Process Step One:

NeighborhoodCriminalProfileAnd Action(30 days)Building Neighborhood Cohesion and Strengthening Families: Development of effective block watch or other neighborhood group Partners continue to assist with resources for the improvement of the quality of life for each resident Continued assistance to neighborhood for maintaining the property standards they establish Continued work on interior property issues On-going support for residents needing alcohol and drug counseling, employment, housing, social services, etc.Outcomes: 1) Continued reduced social isolation 2) Development of neighborhood structure to maintain positive changes in neighborhood 3) Increase emphasis on human capital developmentStep Two:

KnockAndTalks(Two to three weeks)

Step Three:

PropertyAssessment(Two to three weeks)

Step Four:

BlockMeeting

Step Five:

ProblemAbatement

Step Six:

ResidentAndOwnerMeeting

Step Seven:

TheClean-up

Step Eight:

Creation of aStrongNeighborhoodGroup and Supporting Residents

Examples of Community OutcomesCalls for Service Neighborhood IncidentsCode Enforcement Property ImprovementsResident Opinions of Improved SafetyIncreased Utilization of Social Services

Incidents by Problem Group 6 Month Increments - % Change

4/98-9/9810/98-3/99% CHANGEDomestic Violence NON CHILD469382- 18.6Domestic Violence CHILD ABUSE11570- 39.1Domestic Disturbance922781- 15.3Assault/Battery525392- 25.3Disorderly20751468- 29.2Robbery4437- 15.9Theft grand7057- 18.6Theft petty175152- 13.1Theft vehicle recovery3417- 50.0Theft vehicle/tampering12478- 37.1Drugs/Narcotics6873+ 7.4Drunkenness7561- 18.7Loitering998883- 11.5TOTAL56974451- 21.9

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents600 Kentucky: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes-66.7% Part 1: -28.8% Part 2: - 35.9% Total

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents600 Ohio: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes-95.2 % Part 1: -80.5 % Part 2: - 83.1% Total

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents1900 - 2000 Kentucky: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes -55.6% Part 1: -44.2% Part 2: -46.2% Total

Outcomes - 700 Alabama St. Resident Opinions Before/After InterventionPercent

Outcomes - Springs Rd. St. Resident Opinions Before/After InterventionPercent

Increased referrals to substance abuse treatmentCreation of parent support groupsIncreased employmentIncreased access to health insurance (adult and youth)Increased support for victims of domestic violenceFamily Outcomes

Beverly Hills Project From the AirBEVERLY HILLS PROJECTBeverly HillsSchool

Photo 407 Alhambra Code Violations resolved Garbage removed from front and rear Landscaping refurbished Victory Garden planted

Photo Cabrillo Problem Areas Heavy drug and alcohol use occurring in rear of property Public urination and feces in heavy vegetation Trash and alcohol containers being left in bushes

Photo Cabrillo Problem Areas Drug sales and loitering on street Heavy vegetation providing cover 3 major locations of activity on street Hiding areas removed Lighting improved Code violations resolved

400 Cabrillo Large numbers of people hanging out on the corner. Drugs and alcohol being used. Vegetation causing low light and hiding illegal activities Code Violations resolved

Why Does This Approach Work?Involvement of many partnersShared responsibility and consensual decision making among TeamHeavy emphasis on improving physical environmentEmphasis on developing neighborhood assets (Human Capital & Social Capital)Long-term commitment (12- 18 months)