SYMPOSIA AND CONFERENCES The Center sponsors symposia and conferences throughout the year on topical issues related to youth violence prevention. These are opportunities for researchers, students, policy makers, community members and others to come together to share research findings, explore interventions intended to reduce youth violence, improve outcomes for youth and discuss implications and future directions for the community and state. This conference will address the topic of violence as a public health problem through a theological and social ecology lens. The conference will give attendees information about violence and peacemaking as well as concrete, practical interventions and programs with proven success. Speakers will share conceptual frameworks and personal experiences of violence and healing in our communities. Click here to review brochure
This symposium was convened by the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc. and several other programs and was co-sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Department of Mental Health, the Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute, Open Society Institute, and the Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc.
The symposium featured two presentations each followed by a reactor panel and discussion. “Developing and Sustaining Effective Treatment Services” presented by Carlo DiClemente, Professor at the Department of Psychology at UMBC and “Prevention” presented by Lawrence Murray, LMSW Vice President and Director of Youth Programs at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse Columbia University will be followed by a reactor panel and discussion featuring local service program directors and providers. Treatment Reactor Panel members included Brother Ellsworth Bey, Founder of F.O.X.O (Fraternal Order of X-Offenders) and Terry Brown, Director of the Private Treatment Provider, Baltimore Behavioral Health. Prevention Reactor Panel members includes Pamela Talabis, Director of the Dayspring Program; Justin Reyna, Family Recovery Program from the Family League of Baltimore City and 16 year old Baltimore city resident and A.C.C.E Academy student, Brian Williams.
The presentations and discussions pointed out interrelationships of violence and drugs. There was consensus that many existing programs would have outcomes improved if linkages with other programs were easier. What became clear in the discussions is that we are underutilizing our assets, particularly individuals in recovery, ex-offenders, youth, and that we need to better support the many individuals helping their friends and neighbors. All agreed that the situation has changed in Baltimore but that many more would benefit if we had fewer silos.
On December 6-7, 2007, The Humane Society of the United States and the Center for Prevention of Youth Violence of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health held a National Technology Assessment Workshop on Animal-Assisted Programs for Youth At Risk. By bringing together researchers, program leaders and animal shelters,the conference sought to enhance the field of animal-assisted interventions for emotionally troubled, at-risk and adjudicated youth through evaluation research and development and dissemination of best practices.This project was co-sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence, with support from the Laura J. Niles Foundation. Click here to review program booklet | 
