Integrated Partnerships to Support Community Transformation Using Comprehensive

Integrated Partnerships to Support Community Transformation: Using Comprehensive Strategies to Strengthen Families and Neighborhoods Presentation by: Michael Sparks, Associate Director, Free to Grow National Program Office 1

Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical Environment Increased Social Capital Increase Human Capital 2

The Free to Grow Program Integrated Family and Community Strengthening Strategies Implemented by Head Start in Collaboration with Community Partners To reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors for substance abuse and other high risk behaviors 3

Free to Grow Primary Strategies Family Assessment Case Management Parent Education Family Support Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment 4

Free to Grow Primary Strategies Leadership Development Community Assessment Community Awareness Community Action to Support Community Change 5

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) 6

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Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical Environment Increased Social Capital • Leadership Development • Local Action Groups (block watch, neighborhood assns, etc) • Family Support and Parent 10

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Introduction Collaborative Partnerships to Strengthen Families and Communities Through: Improved Physical Environment Increased Social Capital Increased Human Capital • Family Assessment • Case Management • SA & MH Treatment 14

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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. 19

Key Partners & Possible Roles for Team Members • 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 20

Key Partners Comprising Team • 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 21

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 22

Deteriorated Areas in Vallejo Calls for Service By Density Areas of High Deterioration & High Calls for Service 23

Activities z Police Involvement (undercover operations, increased patrols, walking neighborhood, abandoned vehicles ) z Meeting Neighbors – Engaging in “Knock and Talks” z Enhancing Service Delivery to Residents (offering services to H. S. and non-H. S. families in neighborhood) z Individual Property Assessments (interior and exterior) z Building Neighborhood Organization (block meetings, shared projects, training, organizational facilitation and support) z Code Enforcement – Problem Abatement of property matainance violations, interior health and safety violations, etc) z Clean-up of Neighborhood 24

Eight Step Process –Order is flexible Police Department Intervention: Step One: Neighborhood Profile And Action • 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 information Outcomes: 1) Secure area for future neighborhood work 2) Identify parolees and probationers 25

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Criminal Knock Profile And Talks Action (on-going (30 days) throughout process) 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 family Outcomes: 1) Begin development of relationsips with families in neighborhood 2) Better understand neighborhood 26 issues

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Criminal Knock Profile Step Three: And Talks Property Action (Two to three weeks) Assessment (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 action 27

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Step Three: Criminal Knock Profile Step Four: Property And Assessment Talks Action (Twoto tothreeweeks) Block (Two (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 services Outcomes: 1) More information on issues in neighborhood 28 2) Introduction of social service providers

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Step Three: Criminal Step Four: Knock Step Five: Profile Property And Assessment Talks Block Action Problem (Two to threeweeks) (Two to three (30 days) Meeting Abatement Lead by Enforcement Agencies 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” issues 2) Establishes new norm in neighborhood about acceptable property conditions 29

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Step Three: Criminal Step Four: Knock Step Five: Profile Property And Assessment Talks Step Six: Block Action Problem (Two to threeweeks) (Two to three (30 days) Meeting Abatement Resident And Owner Meeting 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 providers 30

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Step Three: Criminal Step Four: Knock Step Five: Profile Property And Step Six: And Assessment Talks Block Action Problem Step (Two to three. Seven: weeks) (Two to three weeks) Resident (30 days) Meeting Abatement And The Owner Clean-up Meeting 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 Celebration Outcomes: 1) Builds social cohesion 2) Further improves physical environment 31

Eight Step Process Step One: Step Two: Neighborhood Step Three: Criminal Step Four: Knock Step Five: Profile Step Eight: Property And Step Six: And Assessment Step Seven: Talks Block Action Problem (Twoto to. Creation threeweeks) of a (Two three Resident (30 days) Meeting Abatement Strong The And Neighborhood Clean-up Owner Group and Supporting Meeting Residents 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 32 3) Increase emphasis on human capital development

Examples of Community Outcomes z. Calls for Service – Neighborhood Incidents z. Code Enforcement – Property Improvements z. Resident Opinions of Improved Safety z. Increased Utilization of Social Services 33

Incidents by Problem Group 6 Month Increments - % Change 4/98 -9/98 10/98 -3/99 % CHANGE Domestic Violence – NON CHILD 469 382 - 18. 6 Domestic Violence – CHILD ABUSE 115 70 - 39. 1 Domestic Disturbance 922 781 - 15. 3 Assault/Battery 525 392 - 25. 3 Disorderly 2075 1468 - 29. 2 Robbery 44 37 - 15. 9 Theft – grand 70 57 - 18. 6 Theft – petty 175 152 - 13. 1 Theft – vehicle recovery 34 17 - 50. 0 Theft – vehicle/tampering 124 78 - 37. 1 Drugs/Narcotics 68 73 + 7. 4 Drunkenness 75 61 - 18. 7 Loitering 998 883 - 11. 5 TOTAL 5697 4451 34 - 21. 9

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents 600 Kentucky: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes -66. 7% Part 1: -28. 8% Part 2: - 35. 9% Total 35

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents 600 Ohio: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes -95. 2 % Part 1: -80. 5 % Part 2: - 83. 1% Total 36

Outcomes - Neighborhood Incidents 1900 - 2000 Kentucky: Police Incidents Part 1 Crimes & Part 2 Crimes -55. 6% Part 1: -44. 2% Part 2: -46. 2% Total 37

Outcomes - Percent 700 Alabama St. Resident Opinions Before/After Intervention 38

Outcomes - Percent Springs Rd. St. Resident Opinions Before/After Intervention 39

Family Outcomes z Increased referrals to substance abuse treatment z Creation of parent support groups z Increased employment z Increased access to health insurance (adult and youth) z Increased support for victims of domestic violence 40

Beverly Hills Project From the Air Beverly Hills School BEVERLY HILLS PROJECT 41

Photo 407 Alhambra • Code Violations resolved • Garbage removed from front and rear • Landscaping refurbished • Victory Garden planted 42

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 43

Photo Cabrillo Problem Areas • Hiding areas removed • Lighting improved • Code violations resolved • Drug sales and loitering on street • Heavy vegetation providing cover • 3 major locations of activity on street 44

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 45

Why Does This Approach Work? z. Involvement of many partners z. Shared responsibility and consensual decision making among Team z. Heavy emphasis on improving physical environment z. Emphasis on developing neighborhood assets (Human Capital & Social Capital) z. Long-term commitment (12 - 18 months) 46