Youth exposure to violence is common in the United States, with children more likely to be exposed than adults. A national survey showed nearly 60% of American children are exposed to violence each year. Witnessing such community violence is considered an adverse childhood experience (ACE). In Chicago, youth are highly vulnerable to violence exposure, and children on Chicago's South Side are 3 times more likely to be exposed. Roseland is a community on Chicago's South Side that is 95% Black and has been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality for decades. Strengthening the conditions across individual, family, community, and school contexts is key to effective violence prevention and intervention strategies.

This program's purpose is to build the capacity of the Roseland community to support youth exposed to violence to enable them to thrive and reach their full potential. Project activities include convening a newly created team of multidisciplinary stakeholders; engaging community members; developing and implementing a screening infrastructure to identify at-risk youth; delivering and connecting mental health and social services to youth and families; partnering with community-based organizations to expand capacity for after school programing; developing and implementing programs for vocational training and career exposure; and conducting an evaluation of the programs. Expected outcomes include the development of a coordinated, comprehensive, and community-informed plan to address youth exposed to violence in the Roseland community; provision of services for youth and families; reduction in youth violence and young adult unemployment in the Roseland community; and regular program assessments.

This project applies principles of academic-community partnerships with a diverse team from academic and community organizations. Various projects are possible based on the project needs and the student's interests and goals. Some examples include:

-Literature review focused on youth violence exposure, screening tools,

-Asset mapping with community

-Survey tool development to support program assessments

-Quantitative analysis of program outcomes

Quantitative and qualitative software will be provided as needed.

Weekly conferences include team meetings.

National conferences will be include relevant professional organizations related to pediatrics, communities, and violence prevention (e.g., Pediatric Academic Societies, American Academy of Pediatrics).