Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative which will develop activities that address risk factors that are associated with you...

1 PROCUREMENT DIVISION PUBLIC HEALTH REPQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Solicitation # 487– CS–HLT004020A August 13, 2021 Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative This Solicitation document is prepared in a Microsoft Word format. Any alterations to this document made by the Vendor may be grounds for rejection of proposal, cancellation of any subsequent award, or any other legal remedies available to Mecklenburg County. 2 August 13, 2021 Procurement Division 700 East 4th Street, 4th Floor Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 This serves as official notice that Mecklenburg County located in Charlotte North Carolina through its Public Health Department is soliciting and will receive proposals for Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. Requirements are outlined in the following specifications. Please review them carefully. A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference for the purpose of reviewing the Solicitation will be held as noted in

the Schedule of Events. As a precautionary measure due to COVID-19, onsite meetings have been suspended. You may access the conference via phone, Teams or Skype. • Join Skype Meeting • Join by phone • 980-314-2390 County/855-852-9059 Outside • Conference ID: 94583 Questions regarding the Solicitation must be submitted by the date noted in the Schedule of Events. • Email to Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov. • In the Subject Line include: ▪ Attention: Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative ▪ Solicitation # 487– CS–HLT004020A ▪ Charlotte Spence, Procurement Analyst Proposals are to be submitted electronically in MECKProcure on the dated notated in the Schedule of Events. Use the Checklist on the following page as a guide in preparing and submitting your response to the Solicitation. • NIGP Code: 95283 Summer Youth Programs 95295 Youth Care Services 99025 Crime prevention To submit a response to the Solicitation, vendors must create a profile in MECKProcure. For more information on vendor registration and how to submit a response, please visit the Vendor Resources Site here. Technical support to assist with vendor registration or submission of your proposal/bid response will be available up until the proposal/bid due date in the Schedule of Events. Please be advised, any request for assistance made after 1:00pm (EST) on the proposal/bid due date may not result in a successful bid submission. • Contact for Technical Support ▪ Email: Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov ▪ Division Telephone: 980-314-2400 All changes to the terms, conditions or specifications stated in this Solicitation will be documented in a written addendum, issued by the Procurement Analyst. The Addenda will be posted in MECKProcure, and may be accessed at this website by searching the Solicitation Number. Sincerely, Charlotte Spence Procurement Analyst https://meet.mecklenburgcountync.gov/charlotte.spence/5T2MP47D mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService https://www.mecknc.gov/Finance/Procurement/Pages/Instructions-and-Forms.aspx mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService 3 Checklist for Submitting A Proposal: Instructions: This Checklist is to provide guidance in submitting a response to the Solicitation. The checklist must be followed. The County may consider proposals non-responsive for any items or deadlines not met as listed below. 1. Read the document fully. 2. If you plan to submit a response, please complete Form A. BID/Solicitation Participation Acknowledgement and submit to Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov 3. Submit Form A. BID/Solicitation Participation Acknowledgement to Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov. 4. Refer to this Schedule of Events for dates, times and locations specific to the Solicitation. DATE Time (EST) EVENT LOCATION/Submittal Requirement 8/13/21 N/A Issue Solicitation Notice MECKProcure 8/17/21 Before 2:00pm Form A. BID/Solicitation Participation Acknowledgement Form Due Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov 8/24/21 2:00pm Pre-Proposal Conference Join Skype Meeting Join by phone 980-314-2390 County 855-852-9059 Outside Conference ID: 94583 8/25/21 Before 2:00pm Questions Due Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov 8/27/21 Before 2:00pm Post County Response to Vendor Questions MECKProcure 2:00pm Vendor Registration and Submittal Training Skype Meeting Vendor Registration Form for Training 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month 9/9/21 Before 2:00pm Proposals Due All proposals shall be submitted online via MECKProcure 9/10/21 2:00 pm Public Bid Opening Join Skype Meeting Join by phone 980-314-2390 County 852-9059 Outside Conference ID: 3881605 10/1/2021 Contract Start Date Note: Mecklenburg County reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary. 5. Proposal Format - The following items must be submitted in the following order at the time of proposal submission. Vendors are encouraged to check off each item as the required action is completed: ☐ Section 3.1 - Letter of Transmittal ☐ Section 3.2 - Executive Summary ☐ Section 3.3 - Statement of Work ☐ Section 3.5 - Insurance ☐ Section 3.6 - Permits and/or Licenses, if applicable ☐ Form B, Pricing Worksheet ☐ Form C, Contract Exceptions Form ☐ Form D, Addenda Receipt Confirmation ☐ Form E, Business Diversity and Inclusion (BDI) ☐ Form F, Vendor Company Information - Background and Experience Form ☐ Form G, Vendor Reference mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov https://meet.mecklenburgcountync.gov/charlotte.spence/5T2MP47D mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService https://mecklenburgcounty.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cxcuGZ81ui9eO0t https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService https://meet.mecklenburgcountync.gov/charlotte.spence/TRKW9ZBZ 4 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Objective ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2. Mecklenburg County Rights and Options ...................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Solicitation Process ........................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1. Pre-Proposal Conference .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2. Submission of Responses ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.3. Proposal Opening ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4. Evaluation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.5. Contract ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3. Proposal Content and Format ........................................................................................................................... 7 3.1. Letter of Transmittal .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2. Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.3. Statement of Work ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.4. Pricing .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.5. Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.6. Permits and/or Licenses ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 4. Digital Accessibility Compliance ........................................................................................................................ 9 5. Vendor Support ................................................................................................................................................ 9 5.1. Vendor Registration and Training ................................................................................................................................................. 9 5.2. National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Codes (NIGP) ....................................................................................................... 9 6. Scope of Work .................................................................................................................................................. 9 6.1 Project Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 6.2 Specifications/Qualifications/Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 10 6.3 Deliverables (service levels, reporting, milestones, etc.) .............................................................................................................. 10 Form A. BID/Solicitation Participation Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................ 12 5 1. Introduction 1.1. Objective Mecklenburg County, located in the State of North Carolina, is seeking Bids/Proposals from qualified vendors to implement the ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative which will develop activities that address risk factors that are associated with youth violence. The intended outcomes of this initiative are to strengthen youth leadership; to increase access to developmentally appropriate resources; to increase knowledge about protective and risk factors associated with youth violence; and, moreover, to increase community capacity to deliver evidence-based prevention assistance. ReCAST Mecklenburg will provide pilot funding to Mecklenburg County youth serving organizations with priority to organizations serving the Priority Health Area, which includes the following zip codes: 28205, 28206, 28208, 28212, 28216, and 28217. Background Imagine an opportunity to incorporate VetoViolence into the important work you are already doing. Violence is a public health crisis that has direct impact on youth and families in Mecklenburg County. Violence modifies the physical and social environment; increases the risk for behavioral and mental health difficulties; increases stigma for some communities; perpetuates trauma; and interrupts the dreams and potential of young people. Violence is pervasive and impacts entire communities disrupting safety and wellness. Forward thinking communities grow and thrive by being open to new ideas and perspectives. Charlotte Mecklenburg is a unique community rich in diversity and innovative ideas. Community stakeholders can support youth violence prevention through rich partnerships and resources that nurture youth growth and potential. ReCAST strategies focus on how communities can actively lead and advocate for innovative solutions that are grounded in resiliency and safety. Youth voices are central to the conversation such as how they envision safer homes, schools, and community environments. ReCAST Mecklenburg (Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma) is a grant awarded to Mecklenburg County Public Health Department by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote resiliency and equity in the Mecklenburg Priority Health Area (PHA) through evidence- based, violence prevention, community youth engagement programs, and linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. ReCAST Mecklenburg utilizes a resilience and healing focus to build the capacity of the community to better deal with stress and trauma with the primary focus on youth violence prevention, racial equity, and equitable access to services. Organizations that serve youth and families are an important part of the ReCAST Mecklenburg vision of a thriving community-centered culture that is invested in the inclusion, success, healing, and overall well-being of all citizens. ReCAST Mecklenburg is funding a 12-month youth violence prevention pilot to support community level work that is already happening in the community to enhance training, mentoring, and advocacy in youth serving organizations. Using guidance from VetoViolence, (see Attachment A, Create Protective Community Environments) an evidence- based approach to violence prevention formulated by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), ReCAST Mecklenburg would like to join your unique approach to serving youth, teens, and young adults. The Youth Violence Prevention Initiative will: 1. Provide an opportunity for youth-serving organizations to adopt VetoViolence as a public health approach to violence prevention and 1) equip youth with strategies and tools to use as an alternative to violence; 2) educate youth about factors that lead to negative outcomes; and 3) influence change in individual and societal behaviors that lead to negative outcomes. 2. Enhance the creative and existing work organizations are doing to address multiple factors that impact violence including individual, peer, family, parent relationships, community influences, and societal factors. 3. Encourage new and existing innovative projects that engage youth (ages 10-18) in developing strategies that address coping mechanisms, decision making, self-expression, cultural relevance, behavioral health stigma, relationships and interactions with law enforcement, and perspectives on violence. 4. Integrate youth input and perspectives into new and existing projects Contract 6 Award of a Contract will be made for multiple vendors on a competitive basis following the process, terms and conditions as described in this Solicitation. Contract will be for a term of approximately 12 months or 1 year beginning October 1, 2021 through September 29, 2022. Contingent upon funding availability, contracts may be extended for additional periods. Vendors shall provide pricing based on the requirements. The proposed cost shall remain in effect for the duration of the Contract which includes the initial term and any additional consecutive terms or extension of the term date. 1.2. Mecklenburg County Rights and Options • County may in its discretion require one or more vendors to make presentations to the evaluation team or appear before management and/or its representatives for an interview. • During such interview, the vendors may be required to orally and otherwise present its proposal and to respond in detail to any questions posed. Additional meetings may be held to clarify issues or to address comments, as deemed appropriate. • Vendors will be notified in advance of the time and format of such meetings. Since Mecklenburg County may choose to award a Contract without engaging in discussions or negotiations, the proposals submitted shall define the vendors best offer for performing the services described in this Solicitation. • The commencement of such discussions, however, does not signify a commitment by County to execute a Contract or to continue discussions. County may terminate discussions at any time and for any reason. • County will decide which proposal best meets the criteria outlined in the Solicitation. • County reserves the right to waive any minor informalities or irregularities, which do not go to the heart of the proposal or prejudice other offers, or to reject, for good and compelling reasons, any and all proposals submitted. • Should vendors find discrepancies or omissions in this Solicitation or any other documents provided by Mecklenburg County, the vendors should immediately notify the County of such potential discrepancy in writing via email as noted above, and a written addendum will be made available, if the County determines clarification necessary. • Vendors are encouraged to make a good faith effort to include environmental considerations supporting waste reduction, recycling and buy-recycled products supporting markets for recycled and other environmentally preferable products whenever practical. • County has Solicitation Terms & Conditions posted on the internet site which speaks to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. The County seeks to ensure that all segments of the business community have access to supplying the goods and services needed by County programs. The County affirmatively works to encourage utilization of minority business enterprise in procurement activities and provides equal opportunity for all businesses and does not discriminate against any vendor regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, and national origin or disability. • County reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals in connection with this project, and to waive formalities in the proposal during any step of the procurement or awarding process (even after negotiations have begun). • Final award of Contract is contingent upon availability of funds from Federal, State and/or local governing bodies. 2. Solicitation Process 2.1. Pre-Proposal Conference • A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be conducted according to the Schedule of Events. While attendance at the Pre-Proposal Conference is not mandatory, all interested vendors are encouraged to attend. • If special accommodations are required for attendance, please notify the County representative indicated herein in advance of the date and time above and identify the special accommodation(s) required. 2.2. Submission of Responses • Responses must be submitted electronically via www.meckprocure.com. https://www.mecknc.gov/Finance/Procurement/Documents/Solicitation%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.pdf http://www.meckprocure.com/ 7 • Responses sent by fax, email or flash drive will not be accepted. 2.3. Proposal Opening • As required by North Carolina General Statute 143 – 131 according to type of Solicitation: o Procurement staff will open the proposals received after the Due Date. o Proposals will not be read aloud or made available to inspect or copy until any trade secret issues/proprietary and/or confidential information has been resolved and a Contract has been awarded. o Public Bid Opening required for Federally funded projects. 2.4. Evaluation The standard of award will be based on the most comprehensive, competitive and best value solution for the County based on 100-point scale for the following criteria/weights, the County reserves the right to modify the evaluation criteria or waive portions thereof: • Qualifications, Experience and Approach. 90% o Vendors will be evaluated based upon their understanding, experience and qualifications in performing the same or substantially similar services, as reflected by its experience in performing such services and approach for the provision of the Services. Examples of work providing services to youth and families. o Vendors will be evaluated on staff technical expertise, experience and lived experience. o Willingness to adopt VetoViolence as a public health approach to violence prevention. o Vendors will be evaluated on examples of previous work in delivering individual and group level interventions to youth and families. • Cost Effectiveness and Value. 10% o Under this criterion, proposals will be compared in terms of the most reasonable, and or most effective pricing options. • Acceptance of the Terms of the Contract. o The County will evaluate the proposals for compliance with the terms, conditions, requirements, and specifications stated in this Solicitation including the Sample County Contract referenced in Section 2.5 Contract listed below. Vendors shall provide budget based on the requirements and terms set forth herein. Payment is based upon reimbursement of actual expenditures. • Interviews. o Interviews may be conducted with vendors at the sole discretion of the County. Any costs associated with interviews is the sole responsibility of the vendor 2.5. Contract • Should there be exceptions to the Contract, list them in Form C. Contract Exception. • Please refer to the Sample County Contract marked below specific to this Solicitation. (Sample Contract) HHS Purchase of Service o If your legal counsel needs to review the Sample County Contract for potential issues, the review must be completed prior to submitting a proposal. 3. Proposal Content and Format 3.1. Letter of Transmittal The proposal must include a cover letter of transmittal attesting to its accuracy, signed by an individual authorized to execute binding legal documents on behalf of the vendor. • The cover letter shall provide the name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers of the vendor along with the name, title, address, telephone and facsimile numbers of the executive that has the authority to Contract with County. • Each vendor shall make the following representations and warranty in the cover letter, the falsity of which might result in rejection of its proposal: “The information contained in this proposal or any part thereof, including any exhibits, schedules, and other documents and instruments delivered or to be delivered to County, is true, accurate, and complete. This proposal includes all information necessary to ensure that the statements therein do not in whole or in part mislead County as to any material facts.” https://www.mecknc.gov/Finance/Procurement/Documents/SAMPLE%20CONTRACT%20HHS%20Purchase%20of%20Service.dox.pdf 8 • The cover letter must include any trade secret issues/proprietary and/or confidential information. 3.2. Executive Summary A summary describing the vendor’s understanding of the County’s requirements/specifications and the proposed solution. • A brief summary of the proposed total cost not to exceed $25,000. • A summary of the approach to be undertaken to perform the services. • Highlights any superior or unique aspects of the proposal. • If applicable, identification of the proposed project team (including responsibilities). • If you wish to add supplemental information, please be sure the additional attachment(s) is labeled “Supplemental Information.” 3.3. Statement of Work Vendors must submit a Statement of Work to demonstrate competency in performing services as defined in this Solicitation. • Include a detailed description of the services to be completed along with sufficient information for the County to determine if the vendor meets each requirement. • The County has identified the qualifications/specifications in Section 6. Scope of Work. • Must not exceed five (5) pages o Single-spaced pages o One-inch margins o Font size 12 3.4. Pricing • The purpose of this funding is to enhance existing work. • Pricing will include all aspects of the project. o Staff Stipend o Local Mileage Reimbursement o Program Expenses (see example line items below) o Speaker/Trainer Expenses o Curriculum Expenses o Subscription Fees o Technology Upgrade o Program Supplies/Marketing o Office Supplies o Other (Please provide description) • Submit Budget along with a Budget Narrative not to exceed $25,000. • Local mileage will be at the IRS Per Diem rates for Charlotte NC. • Any costs incurred in the process of preparing and/or submitting a proposal shall be borne by the proposer. 3.5. Insurance • Evidence of adequate insurance or ability to obtain insurance must be include in the bid/response. • Provide one of the following documents for the required insurance minimums marked below: o A Certificate of Insurance. o A signed and dated letter from your insurance provider on their company letterhead stating your ability to obtain coverage. o Mecklenburg County must be listed as Certificate Holder on the accord. Commercial General Liability • Minimum $1,000,000 • Mecklenburg County must be listed as additionally insured. Automobile Liability • Minimum $1,000,000 Worker’s Compensation and Vendors Liability • State of North Carolina statutory requirements https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates/per-diem-rates-lookup/?action=perdiems_report&state=NC&fiscal_year=2021&zip=28202&city=Charlotte 9 • If less than three (3) employees (including the owner(s), provide signed statement on business letterhead that Worker’s Compensation not required and state the number of full-time and part-time employees including owner(s) Sexual Abuse and Molestation • Minimum $1,000,000 3.6. Permits and/or Licenses Must procure all necessary permits and licenses and abide by all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances of all Federal, State, and local governments in which work under any resulting Contract is performed. 4. Digital Accessibility Compliance Mecklenburg County has a Digital Accessibility Policy related to all public-facing digital communications initiatives. The policy supports Mecklenburg County’s goal of providing equal access to all members of the public and complying with all applicable digital accessibility laws. Mecklenburg County has obligations under laws including (but not limited to): The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (or “ADA”, 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (or “Section 508”, 36 CFR 1194). This policy should be used when procuring third-party products, components or services related to the “public- facing digital communications” that are considered to be in scope for accessibility compliance and defined as: • Mobile Websites and Applications: Mobile optimized websites and native applications (e.g. iOS®, Android®) that can be used by the public to interact with any services offered by Mecklenburg County. • Websites & Social Media: Websites and digital content (HTML or non-HTML) that can be accessed by the public via internet browser or social media platform (e.g. Facebook, etc.). • Other Public Facing Websites: Other Mecklenburg County public-facing sites such as: E-Parks, EastwayRec.com, and other department websites. • Any other digital communications effort towards public recipients. To ensure compliance with this policy, a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) must be submitted to Public Information’s Web Services Manager prior to any product public implementations. 5. Vendor Support 5.1. Vendor Registration and Training 1. Must be completed prior to response submission but is not required to access the Solicitation documents. 2. See www.meckprocure.com to: o Register as a vendor, click on Register located on the left side of the page. o To access bid documents, click on Public Access located on the left side of the page. 3. Training regarding Vendor Registration and Electronic Bid Submission will be provided by the Vendor Management Program Office. The training will assist with registration and electronic bid submission. o To participate in the training, you must Register for training. o Confirmation of the scheduled training along with details will be forwarded to the registrant. 5.2. National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Codes (NIGP) NIGP Code is a universal taxonomy for identifying commodities and services in procurement systems. • 95283 Summer Youth Programs • 95295 Youth Care Services • 99025 Crime prevention 6. Scope of Work 6.1 Project Overview ReCAST Mecklenburg (Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma) is a grant awarded to Mecklenburg County Public Health Department by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote resiliency and equity in the Mecklenburg Priority Health Area (PHA) through evidence- based, violence prevention, community youth (ages 10-18) engagement programs, and linkages to trauma- https://mecktech.sharepoint.com/sites/Forms-and-Policies/PIDPolicies/Voluntary%20Product%20Accessibility%20Template%20(VPAT)%20for%20WCAG.docx https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService https://www.mecknc.gov/Finance/Procurement/Documents/Training%20Schedule%20for%20New%20Registrations.pdf 10 informed behavioral health services. ReCAST Mecklenburg utilizes a resilience and healing focus to build the capacity of the community to better deal with stress and trauma with the primary focus on youth violence prevention, racial equity, and equitable access to services. Organizations that serve youth and families are an important part of the ReCAST Mecklenburg vision of a thriving community-centered culture that is invested in the inclusion, success, healing, and overall well-being of all citizens. Violence is a public health crisis that has direct impact on youth and families in Mecklenburg County. 6.2 Specifications/Qualifications/Requirements 1. Provide a brief overview of your organization’s history, mission, and relationship with the community – specifically the Mecklenburg County Priority Health Areas (28205, 28206, 28208, 28212, 28216, and 28217). 2. Review the VetoViolence Attachment A. Now that you are familiar with the VetoViolence approach, describe how your organization will include VetoViolence in its approach to high-risk* youth. In your response include: a. Your organizational goals and target population. b. Describe your organization’s knowledge of risk factors (e.g., diminished economic opportunities, low levels of community participation, etc.) and protective factors (e.g., involvement in social activities, close relationships with non-deviant peers, etc.) of violence in the population of focus. c. What opportunities will your organization provide to: 1) equip youth with strategies and tools to use as an alternative to violence; 2) educate youth about factors that lead to negative outcomes; and 3) influence change in individual and societal behaviors that lead to negative outcomes. d. Describe how your organization will engage the family unit and caregiver/s in this initiative. e. Describe how your organization will include youth in the implementation of activities. 3. Explain how your organization will ensure inclusion and ensure your initiative is culturally competent and effectively reaching high risk youth. 4. Describe how you will you publicize the project. 5. Define your expected outcomes of this project. How will you evaluate success? Describe what successful means to you with this project. 6.3 Deliverables (service levels, reporting, milestones, etc.) The selected vendor shall: 1. Work with ReCAST Mecklenburg’s evaluation team to establish an implementation plan. The plan will include formal and ongoing processes for assessing and improving the outcomes of support services. 2. Provide performance measures to include but may not be limited to: a. The number of high-risk† youth reached by the initiative; b. The number of high-risk youth holding a leadership role in initiative. 3. Receive technical assistance and/or training regarding performance measures, monitoring, and evaluation which will be used as a learning tool to evaluate, improve, and celebrate the outcomes of the ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. 4. Must host a minimum of three (3) events focused around the VetoViolence model throughout the contracting period. 5. Track and report outcomes monthly to include but is not limited to the following. A final report of the project is due by September 20, 2022. a. The final report will include: o a narrative of the project. o copies of any materials or photographic or video the project team wants to share. o the number of high-risk youth served by the project. o the number of any family members of high-risk youth served by the project. o a description of the project’s outcomes. 6. Participation in required training and workshops: a. Trauma informed care b. Resiliency c. Racial equity d. Mental health literacy e. Privacy and confidentiality 7. Serve all individuals without regard to age, race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, background, or 11 language spoken. *High Risk Youth Definition: a high-risk youth is a youth who is less likely to transition successfully into adulthood. Success can include academic success and job readiness, as well as the ability to be financially independent. This success can be impacted by environmental/community risks (ex. Underfunded schools, Diminished opportunities for upward mobility, etc.), peer/social/family risks (ex. gang involvement, peer rejection, etc.) and/or individual risks, such as previous trauma/victimization. 12 Form A. BID/Solicitation Participation Acknowledgement This form is to acknowledge that you are interested in participating in this project and that you have read/reviewed the County Sample Contract that will be used upon award. Failure to submit this form by the designated date as identified on the Schedule of Events shall not preclude the Company from submitting a proposal. • Please complete and submit this form to the email address: Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov. • In the Subject line include: Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative - #487-CS-HLT004020A , Charlotte Spence, Procurement Analyst AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Phone: Fax: Email: AGENCY INFORMATION Agency Name: Name: Title: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Business Designation (check One) Individual [ ] Sole Proprietorship [ ] Public Service Corp [ ] Corporation [ ] Government/ Nonprofit [ ] LLC [ ] Partnership [ ] Please check the appropriate box and provide the requested information: • Yes ☐ No ☐ Will attend the Pre-Proposal Conference and will submit a Proposal Number of attendees: In-Person Via Teleconference • Yes ☐ No ☐ Will not attend the Pre-Proposal Conference; however, intend on submitting a Proposal Reason: • Yes ☐ No ☐ Will not attend the Pre-Proposal Conference nor submit a Proposal Reason: mailto:Meckbids@mecklenburgcountync.gov 13 Form B. Pricing Worksheet Regardless of exceptions taken, Companies shall provide pricing based on the requirements and terms set forth in this RFP. Pricing must be all-inclusive and cover every aspect of the Project. Cost must be in United States dollars. If there are additional costs associated with the Services, please add to this form. Your Price Proposal must reflect all costs for which the County will be responsible. The purpose of this funding is to enhance existing work. For purposes of this Solicitation, assume an initial term of approximately twelve (12) months with the County having an option to renew or extend term thereafter. Instructions: All proposals must include proposed costs to complete the tasks described in the project scope. Provide detailed list of any and all expected costs or expenses related to the proposed Statement of Work. Mecklenburg County Public Health Expanding the Work: ReCAST Mecklenburg Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Solicitation 487-CS-HLT004020A Proposed Budget Total Program Monthly Cost A. Staff Stipend Number of Months Estimated Cost Per Month Amount Requested 1. 2. 3. 4. Total Staff Stipend B. Program Expenses (See example line items) Type Number of Units Unit Cost Amount Requested 1. Speaker/Trainer Expenses 2. Curriculum Expenses 3. Subscription Fees 4. Technology Upgrade 5. Program Supplies/Marketing Total Program C. Mileage Unit Cost Amount Requested 1. 2. 3. 4. Total Mileage D. Office Supplies/Printing Type Number of Units Unit Cost Amount Requested 1. 2. 3. 4. Total Office/Printing Costs E. Other (Provide description) Type Number of Units Unit Cost Amount Requested 1. 2. 3. 4. Total Other Total Proposed Budget Note Food, entertainment, office furniture, PPE (masks, gloves, sanitizer, etc.), and living expenses are NOT allowable costs. 14 Form C. Contract Exception Instructions: Please acknowledge exception status to the County Sample Contract. Exceptions to the County Sample Contract* No Exceptions to the County Sample Contract All exceptions must be listed below. Exceptions not listed may not be considered during contract negotiation. Page # Section Specification/Requirement Exception 15 Form D. Addenda Receipt Confirmation Instructions: Please acknowledge receipt of all addenda posted to MECKProcure by including this form with your Proposal. ADDENDUM #: DATE REVIEWED: I certify that this proposal complies with the General and Specific Specifications and conditions issued by Mecklenburg County except as clearly marked in the attached copy. (Please Print Name) Date Authorized Signature Title Company Name https://www.meckprocure.com/webapp/VSSPROD/AltSelfService 16 BUSINESS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (BDI) PROGRAM OVERVIEW Mecklenburg County has made great strides to ensure we do business fairly and with diverse populations in our community, but more can be done. Mecklenburg County’s Office of Economic Development engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GSPC) to conduct a disparity study on the availability and utilization of minority and women owned business enterprises and examine relevant evidence of race – or gender – based discrimination in the County’s contracting process. The 2020 Mecklenburg County Disparity Study revealed areas for improvement, for which GSPC made recommendations to assist the County in remediating the disparities to ensure that all qualified firms within the relevant market are given equal chance to succeed in doing business with the County. (The full report and recommendation list can be found here) Because the implementation of the Disparity Study recommendations will impact internal and external stakeholders, the County has decided a phased transitional approach to implement the objectives. Mecklenburg County Government will provide Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Small Business Enterprises (collectively “MWSBE”) as well as other responsible vendors with fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in Mecklenburg County’s business opportunities. Mecklenburg County’s BDI Program is committed to support the economic development of small business enterprises and the minority community. The BDI Program Provisions Guide requires contractors and subcontractors to take all necessary steps to ensure maximum opportunity for the participation of MWBE firms in its contracting activities with Mecklenburg County. It is further the intent of the program to widen opportunities for participation, increase competition, and ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds. The BDI Program Provisions Guide includes aspirational goals for MWBE utilization in proportion to the availability of qualified vendors in particular areas of procurement. For assistance, contact the Office of Economic Development’s BDI Program. Mecklenburg County - Office of Economic Development Business Diversity & Inclusion (BDI) Program Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center 600 East 4th Street, Suite 226 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 Email: MWSBE@mecknc.gov BUSINESS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (BDI) PROGRAM PROVISIONS GUIDE Formal Documents Form E. Mecklenburg County Government https://www.mecknc.gov/edo/Documents/Mecklenburg%20County%20Disparity%20Study%20Final%20Report.pdf https://www.mecknc.gov/edo/Documents/Mecklenburg%20County%20Disparity%20Study%20Final%20Report.pdf 17 The aspirational goals for MWBE participation on this project are set at 5% MBE and 4% WBE. MWBE groups are defined as follows: 1. ABE: Asian Business Enterprise 2. BBE: Black Business Enterprise 3. NBE: Native American Business Enterprise 4. HBE: Hispanic Business Enterprise 5. WBE: Women Business Enterprise 6. DBE: Disadvantage Business Enterprise Do you customarily subcontract portions of your contracts and projects with the County? Yes No Do you intend to subcontract portions of this contract? Yes No List any services in this proposal for which you could seek quotes from MWBE groups. 1. 2. 3. MWBE UTILIZATION COMMITMENT We, Insert Vendor Name , do certify that on the Click or tap here to enter text. we will expend a minimum of Insert % of the total dollar amount of the contract with Minority Business Enterprises and Insert % with Women's Business Enterprises. Name of Company MWBEType Description of Work Dollar Value To locate certified MWBE firms, use the directories listed below • NC Dept of Administration – Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB/MWBE firms): website • NC Department of Transportation – Office of Civil Rights (DBE firms) – only for specified projects: website If you need additional assistance or have questions, contact the BDI Program Office at MWSBE@mecknc.gov The County reserves the right to request verification of compliance, utilization, and payments. The County’s BDI Program Provisions are hereby incorporated into these specifications by reference. The undersigned hereby certifies that the bidder has read the terms of this form and is authorized to bind the firm to the information herein set forth. __________________________________________________ ______________________________________ Proposed Product or Service Total Dollar Amount Bid _______________________ ________________________ ______________________ _____________ Name Signature Title Date __________________________________ ________________________________ _____________________ Name of Company Email Telephone v.202108 BUSINESS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (BDI) PROGRAM PROVISIONS GUIDE Formal Documents Form E. Mecklenburg County Government https://www.ips.state.nc.us/vendor/searchvendor.aspx?t=h https://www.ebs.nc.gov/VendorDirectory/default.html mailto:MWSBE@mecknc.gov 18 Form F. Vendor Company Information - Background and Experience Form Vendor Background Question Response Vendor Identification Vendor Legal Name: Vendor Assumed or DBA Name: Vendor Address: Vendor Contact Information: Corporate Notes Ownership: State company ownership status • Business • Sole Proprietor • Partnership • Corporation • Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) • Other State what city and state the company was legally formed. State the date the company was formed. Certified Partnerships: Identify certifications held for implementing another firm’s products. Include how long the partnership or certification has been effect. Organization Size: Describe organization, including any parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and other related entities. • If a Subsidiary o # of employees of proposing company/division o Identify revenues of proposing company/division Vendor Experience Customer Base: # of public sector clients. # of clients that are municipalities/counties # of clients served similar in size to the County Terminated Projects: List any terminated projects. Please disclose the jurisdiction and explain the reason for the termination. Litigation: List any litigation that you have been involved with during the past two (2) years regarding services provided. Additional Narrative Response 19 Background: Describe company in terms of size, type of services offered, and clientele served. Describe track record for providing services and/or deliverables similar to the Scope of Work in the Solicitation.   Financial Information: State whether the company or its parent company (if any) has ever received any sanctions or is currently under investigation by any regulatory or government body. Project Team: Describe the key individuals responsible for performing the Statement of Work services and/or deliverables. • Include information regarding o Experience o Qualifications o Professional certifications/licensures o Other information as deemed necessary   If the Proposal will be from a team composed of more than one (1) company or if any subcontractor will provide more than fifteen percent (15%) of the Services, please describe the relationship, to include: • the form of partnership, • each team member’s role, and the experience each company will bring to the relationship that qualifies it to fulfill its role. • Provide descriptions and references for the projects on which team members have previously collaborated. Is the company currently an MWSBE registered organization or will the company utilize an MWSBE organization to perform 9% of the work conducted? If so, please share in detail. Project Approach: Describe strategy/roadmap for delivery of the Scope of Work in the Solicitation Provide timeline and work to be completed to meet Statement of Work proposed outcomes. Describe communication scheme you will use to keep the County informed about services? What risks are associated with project? What contingencies have been built in to mitigate those risks? 20 Form G. Vendor Reference Form Please provide the following information for three (3) customers of comparable size and scope as outlined in this Solicitation, particularly North Carolina public sector customers that the vendor has been under Contract with during the past five (5) years, as well as any additional municipality references. References may be called at any time during the procurement process. The County will not notify Vendors before reference checks begin. The County reserves the right to check any other reference(s) that might be indicated through the explicitly specified contacts or that result from communication with other entities involved with similar projects. If your Bid/Proposal includes a Third-Party Vendor, you must also submit a separate copy of this form for each Third- Party Vendor. REFERENCE 1: Name of Client: Phone: Address: Primary Contact: Title: Email Address: Phone: Service Dates: Summary and Scope of Services Provided: Client Operating Budget: $ Client # of Employees: REFERENCE 2: Name of Client: Phone: Address: Primary Contact: Title: Email Address: Phone: Service Dates: Summary and Scope of Services Provided: Client Operating Budget: $ Client # of Employees: REFERENCE 3: Name of Client: Phone: 21 Address: Primary Contact: Title: Email Address: Phone: Service Dates: Summary and Scope of Services Provided: Client Operating Budget: $ Client # of Employees: 10/2018 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Division of Violence Prevention ATTACHMENT A A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors Prepared by: Corinne David-Ferdon, PhD Alana M. Vivolo-Kantor, PhD, MPH Linda L. Dahlberg, PhD Khiya J. Marshall, DrPH, MPH Neil Rainford, MHSE Jeffery E. Hall, PhD 2016 Division of Violence Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, Georgia 2 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors is a publication of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, Director National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Debra E. Houry, MD, MPH, Director Division of Violence Prevention James A. Mercy, PhD, Director Suggested citation: David-Ferdon, C., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Dahlberg, L. L., Marshall, K. J., Rainford, N. & Hall, J. E. (2016). A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 3 Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Partner Review ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Promote Family Environments that Support Healthy Development ................................................15 Provide Quality Education Early in Life .........................................................................................................18 Strengthen Youth’s Skills ...................................................................................................................................21 Connect Youth to Caring Adults and Activities .........................................................................................25 Create Protective Community Environments ............................................................................................29 Intervene to Lessen Harms and Prevent Future Risk ...............................................................................33 Benefits Relative to Costs ..................................................................................................................................37 Sector Involvement .............................................................................................................................................39 Monitoring and Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................41 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................................................42 References ...............................................................................................................................................................43 Appendix: Summary of Strategies and Approaches to Prevent Youth Violence ...........................60 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 5 Acknowledgements This technical package is based on decades of youth violence prevention research, and we are appreciative of the hard work of the many individuals who have developed a tremendous amount of knowledge that makes the prevention of youth violence possible. We thank Division, Center, CDC leadership and other CDC prevention scientists, including Sarah Bacon, Kevin Vagi, and Brad Bartholow, for their input, careful review, and helpful feedback on earlier iterations of this resource. We thank Alida Knuth for her formatting and design expertise. We also extend our gratitude to all of our partners for their helpful feedback, support, and encouragement for this resource. We would like to especially thank the American Institutes for Research, American Psychological Association, Equal Justice USA, Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, Monterey County Health Department, National League of Cities, North Carolina Rural Academic Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention, Prevention Institute, Safe States Alliance, and our Federal colleagues in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and in the Office of Minority Health for their helpful written feedback on this package. Partner Review CDC provided an overview of the youth violence technical package to partners and grantees in a series of webinars. A draft of the youth violence technical package was also shared with partners and grantees following the webinars. These partner organizations are listed below. Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE) Action Council American Academy of Pediatrics American Association of School Administrators American Psychological Association American Public Health Association Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Boys and Girls Clubs of America Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Hope Matters International Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership Local Initiatives Support Corporation National Association of County and City Health Officials National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges National League of Cities Prevention Institute Safe States Alliance Young Men’s Christian Association STRYVE Technical Assistance and Grantees American Institutes for Research Boston Public Health Commission (MA) Houston Health Department (TX) Monterey County Health Department (CA) Multnomah County Health Department (OR) Federal Partners United States Department of Justice Office of Minority Health National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development Denver National Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center North Carolina Rural Academic Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention University of Louisville Youth Violence Prevention Center CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention Policy Network American Academy of Pediatrics American College of Preventive Medicine American Foundation for Suicide Prevention American Psychological Association California Coalition Against Sexual Assault Futures Without Violence National Association of County and City Health Officials National Resource Center on Domestic Violence National Sexual Violence Resource Center North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault Prevent Child Abuse America Prevention Institute Safe States Alliance A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 7A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 7 Overview This technical package represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest potential to prevent youth violence and its consequences. These strategies include promoting family environments that support healthy development; providing quality education early in life; strengthening youth’s skills; connecting youth to caring adults and activities; creating protective community environments; and intervening to lessen harms and prevent future risk. The strategies represented in this package include those with a focus on preventing youth violence from happening in the first place as well as approaches to reduce the immediate and long-term harms of youth violence in order to prevent future violence. Preventing youth violence requires multiple, complementary strategies, and those outlined in the package reflect the mature research-base about how to strengthen individual’s skills and relationships to prevent youth violence.1,2 It also includes promising evidence about ways to address broader community issues that affect the likelihood of youth violence. This package supports CDC’s STRYVE initiative for preventing youth violence. In particular, this package articulates a select set of strategies and specific approaches to achieve STRYVE’s vision of safe and healthy youth achieving their full potential (see box to the right). Commitment, cooperation, and leadership from numerous sectors, including public health, education, justice, health care, social services, business, and government, can bring about the successful implementation and long-term impact of this package. What is a Technical Package? A technical package is a compilation of a core set of strategies to achieve and sustain substantial reductions in a specific risk factor or outcome.3 Technical packages help communities and states prioritize prevention activities based on the best available evidence. This technical package has three components. The first component is the strategy or the preventive direction or actions to achieve the goal of preventing youth violence. The second component is the approach. The approach includes the specific ways to advance the strategy. This can be accomplished through programs, policies, and practices. The evidence for each of the approaches in preventing youth violence or its associated risk factors is included as the third component. This package is intended as a resource to guide and inform prevention decision-making in communities and states. CDC’s Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere Initiative STRYVE’s vision is safe and healthy youth who can achieve their full potential as connected and contributing members of thriving violence-free families, schools, and communities. STRYVE works to: • Increase public health leadership to prevent youth violence • Promote the widespread use of youth violence prevention strategies based on the best available evidence • Achieve national reductions in youth violence STRYVE has several interacting components that all contribute to the achievement of the vision, including national partnerships, online training and tools, and technical assistance. http://www.cdc.gov/ violenceprevention/stryve/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/stryve/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/stryve/index.html Preventing Youth Violence is a Priority Youth violence is a significant public health problem that affects thousands of young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. Youth violence occurs when young people between the ages of 10 and 24 years intentionally use physical force or power to threaten or harm others.1,4 Youth violence typically involves young people hurting other peers who are unrelated to them and who they may or may not know well. Youth violence can take different forms. Examples include fights, bullying, threats with weapons, and gang-related violence. A young person can be involved with youth violence as a victim, offender, or witness. Different forms of youth violence can also vary in the harm that results and can include physical harm, such as injuries or death, as well as psychological harm, increased medical and justice costs, decreased property values, and disruption of community services.5 Youth violence is highly prevalent. Youth violence is a leading cause of death and nonfatal injuries in the United States. Homicide is the third leading cause of death among persons aged 10 to 24 years.6 The majority of these homicides are from firearm violence. In 2014, 86% of youth homicide victims were killed with a firearm.6 The number of young persons who are treated for nonfatal physical assault-related injuries in emergency departments in the United States is more than 115 times higher than the number killed.6 Each day approximately 12 young people are victims of homicide and an additional 1,374 are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal physical assault- related injuries.6 Additionally, self-report information indicates that 1 in 5 high school students was bullied at school or in a physical fight in the past year.7 Although the rates of youth homicide and crime are declining, these promising trends are inconsistent across population groups and the public health burden remains too high. For instance, the decline in homicide rates among non-Hispanic Black youth is less than the decline for non-Hispanic White youth.8 Homicide has been the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic Black youth for more than three decades and is the second leading cause of death for Hispanic youth.6 Youth violence is a significant problem that negatively impacts youth in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities. The rates and forms of youth violence, however, vary across subgroups of youth and communities. Relative to females and non-Hispanic White youth, young males and racial/ethnic minorities experience the greatest burden of youth violence with higher prevalence of homicide, physical injuries, and fighting.6,7 Females and sexual minority youth have higher prevalence of in-person and electronic bullying than males and heterosexual peers.7 Youth gang activity and violent crime are higher in larger cities than suburban and rural communities.9,10 8 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors Youth violence is a leading cause of death and nonfatal injuries in the United States. A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 9 The health and economic consequences of youth violence are substantial. Youth violence has serious and lasting effects on the physical, mental, and social health of young people. It is a leading cause of death for young people and results in more than 500,000 medically treated physical injuries each year.6 The impact of youth violence extends well beyond physical consequences. Youth who experience violence as victims, perpetrators, or witnesses are more likely to have behavioral and mental health difficulties, including future violence perpetration and victimization, smoking, substance use, obesity, high-risk sexual behavior, depression, academic difficulties, school dropout, and suicide.11-15 An entire community feels the burden of youth violence. For instance, youth homicides and nonfatal physical assault-related injuries result in an estimated $18.2 billion annually in combined medical and lost productivity costs alone.6 This estimate is a fraction of the true economic consequences of youth violence because it does not include criminal justice system costs, such as arrest, prosecution, incarceration, and re-entry, or the costs associated with addressing the psychological and social consequences for victims, perpetrators, and their families. It also does not include the costs incurred by communities to address victims’ needs (e.g., property damage, lost wages, physical and mental health care) that result from youth violence and crime or the substantial economic impacts on communities’ healthcare system, property values, and social services systems.5,16,17 The costs of responding to youth violence significantly limit the resources states and communities have to address other needs and goals. Youth violence starts early in the lifespan. Physical aggression can be common among toddlers, and most children learn alternatives to using violence to solve problems and express their beliefs and emotions before starting elementary school.18 A subset of children, however, continue to be aggressive, and if their problematic behaviors are not addressed their aggression can persist and increase.2 In addition to early physical aggression, many other factors associated with the future perpetration of violence, such as impulsivity, poor emotional control, and weak social and problem-solving skills, are evident in early childhood.19-21 Many risks for violence, such as child abuse and neglect, academic problems, and poor supervision and management of children’s behavior, also emerge early and heighten the likelihood for violence during adolescence and young adulthood. These signs provide opportunities to change behaviors and conditions before violence patterns are established and become harder to modify.18 Youth violence is associated with several risk and protective factors. Youth violence is influenced by the interaction of multiple factors, including a young person’s characteristics and experiences as well as by the relationships, community, and society within which young people develop. No one factor, in isolation, leads to the development of youth violence, and the presence of risks does not always mean a young person will experience violence. Individual and interpersonal risks for perpetrating violence include impulsiveness, youth substance use, antisocial or aggressive beliefs and attitudes, low levels of school achievement, weak connection to school, experiencing child abuse and neglect, exposure to violence in the home or community, involvement with delinquent peers or gangs, lack of appropriate supervision, parental substance abuse, and parental or caregiver use of harsh or inconsistent discipline.1,2,5,21,22 Depression, anxiety, chronic stress and trauma, and peer conflict and rejection are also associated with youth violence perpetration and victimization.2,23-27 Youth who are arrested, particularly before age 13, have a heighten risk for future violence and crime, school dropout, and substance abuse.18,20,28-30 In addition, unsupervised access to a firearm is a contributing factor for lethal youth violence.31,32 An increased risk for youth violence and crime is associated with many community factors, such as residential instability, crowded housing, density of alcohol-related businesses, poor economic growth or stability, unemployment, concentrated poverty, neighborhood violence and crime, lack of positive relationships among residents, and views that drug use and violence are acceptable behaviors.33-37 Some racial/ethnic minority youth are exposed to high levels of community violence and other neighborhood problems, which contribute to disparities in youth violence, violence-related injuries and death, and other difficulties.38-40 Evidence is mounting that many factors can buffer or reduce the likelihood of youth violence, and multiple protective factors can even offset the potential harmful influence of risk factors that have accumulated over a child’s development.41-43 Protective factors include healthy social, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills and a young person’s school readiness and academic achievement.41,43-45 Positive and warm parent-youth relationships in which parents set consistent, developmentally appropriate limits and demonstrate interest in their children’s education and social relationships are associated with healthy child and adolescent development and the prevention of violent behavior.33,44,46-52 Additional factors that contribute to healthy adolescent development and decrease 10 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors aggressive behavior include youth feeling connected to their schools, experiencing academic success, having positive relationships with teachers and other caring adults, and interacting with prosocial and nonviolent peers.18,44,53-55 Physical environments of schools, parks, and business and residential areas that are regularly repaired and maintained and designed to increase visibility, control access, and promote positive interactions and appropriate use of public spaces also are buffers to violence.56-58 Additional community buffers against violence and associated risks include household financial security, safe and stable housing, economic opportunities, increasing access to services and social support, residents willingness to assist each other, and collective views that violence is not acceptable.59-63 Youth violence is connected to other forms of violence. The different forms of violence, including youth violence, child abuse and neglect, teen dating violence, adult intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and suicide, have many common risk and protective factors.64,65 Many of these risks are the result of exposure to chronic stress that can alter and harm prenatal and child and adolescent brain development and, in turn, negatively impact attention, impulsivity, decision-making, learning, emotional control, and response to stress.64,66-68 Chronic stress includes such issues as living in impoverished neighborhoods, living in dilapidated housing, frequently moving, experiencing food insecurity, experiencing racism, limited access to support and medical services, and living in homes with violence, mental health problems, substance abuse, and other instability. Some forms of violence can increase the risk for other forms of violence. For example, individuals who experience child abuse and neglect are significantly more likely to be in physical fights, be affiliated with a gang, damage property, and attempt suicide during adolescence and young adulthood than those who do not experience child maltreatment.69 Bullying is associated with an increased risk for weapon carrying, physical fighting, and other forms of violence, such as suicide, teen dating violence, and subsequent sexual harassment perpetration.70-74 Approaches that address risk and protective factors that are common across multiple forms of violence may be an effective and efficient way to prevent violence.64 Youth violence can be prevented. A strong and growing research base demonstrates that there are multiple prevention strategies that are scientifically proven to reduce youth violence victimization and perpetration and associated risk factors.1,2,21,75-77 As described in the Benefits Relative to Cost section of this technical package, many evidence-based youth violence prevention programs and policies have economic benefits, with community savings far outweighing implementation costs.78-80 Strategies are available that benefit all youth regardless of their level of risk as well as individuals and environments at greatest risk. Because youth violence results from multiple individual, family, and environmental factors that can accumulate over a child’s development, the use of one strategy will have limited effects on an entire community’s level of violence and its ability to sustain initial program benefits. A comprehensive approach that simultaneously targets multiple risk and protective factors is critical to having a broad and continued impact on youth violence.1,22,81-83 Stopping youth violence before it occurs and sustaining this proactive approach throughout childhood and adolescence can be done with available programs, practices, and policies. A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 11 Assessing the Evidence This technical package includes programs, practices, and policies with evidence of impact on youth violence victimization, perpetration, and risk or protective factors for youth violence. To be considered for inclusion in the technical package, the program, practice, or policy selected had to meet at least one of these criteria: a) meta-analyses or systematic reviews showing impact on youth violence victimization or perpetration; b) evidence from at least one rigorous (e.g., randomized controlled trial [RCT] or quasi-experimental design) evaluation study that found significant preventive effects on youth violence victimization or perpetration; c) meta-analyses or systematic reviews showing impact on risk or protective factors for youth violence victimization or perpetration; or d) evidence from at least one rigorous (e.g., RCT or quasi-experimental design) evaluation study that found significant impacts on risk or protective factors for youth violence victimization or perpetration. Finally, consideration was also given to the likelihood of achieving beneficial effects on multiple forms of violence; no evidence of harmful effects on specific outcomes or with particular subgroups;* and feasibility of implementation in a United States (U.S.) context if the program, policy, or practice has been evaluated in another country. The evidence base for youth violence prevention, particularly for approaches focused on building youth’s skills and positive family environments and relationships, is strong as evidenced by multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews demonstrating impact of these approaches on behavioral outcomes. In terms of the strength of the evidence, meta-analyses or systematic reviews of programs that have demonstrated effects on behavioral outcomes provide a higher level of evidence. However, the evidence base is not that strong in all areas. For instance, there has been less evaluation of the effects of programs and policies that address community issues that affect the likelihood of youth violence. Community-level approaches in this package showing impacts on risk (e.g., community crime rates, drug use) or protective factors (e.g., positive adult supervision and role models, positive school climate) reflect the developmental nature of the evidence base in this area and the use of the best available evidence at a given time.  Despite being an important contributor to lethal and nonlethal violence among youth, there is a dearth of evidence regarding effective approaches to reduce youths’ unsupervised access, possession, and use of firearms. This particular gap was noted in the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council’s report Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence.88 For these reasons, strategies and approaches specific to unsupervised access, possession, and weapon use are not included, although many of the strategies and approaches that are included in the package are designed to address risk and protective factors to prevent youth from becoming involved in firearm-related violence in the first place. In terms of the strategies and approaches in the package, it is important to note that there can be significant heterogeneity among the programs, policies, or practices that fall within one approach or strategy area in terms of the nature and quality of the available evidence. Not all programs, policies, or practices that utilize the same approach (e.g., home visitation, mentoring) are equally effective, and even those that are effective may not work across all populations.2,8 Tailoring programs and conducting more evaluation may be necessary to better understand effectiveness across different population groups and communities.90 The examples provided in this technical package are not intended to be a comprehensive list of evidence-based programs, policies, or practices for each approach, but rather illustrate models that have been shown to impact youth violence victimization or perpetration or have beneficial effects on risk or protective factors for youth violence and could be implemented in communities. Identifying activities with evidence of impact on victimization, perpetration, and risk or protective factors for youth violence is only the first step. In practice, the effectiveness of the programs, policies and practices identified in this package will be strongly dependent on how well programs are implemented as well as the partners and communities in which they are implemented.91,92 The readiness of the program for broad dissemination and implementation (e.g., availability of program materials, training and technical assistance) can also influence program effects.93,94 Implementation guidance to assist practitioners, organizations and communities will be developed separately. *Research shows some programs, practices, and policies have harmful effects on youth’s behavior.2,29,84-87 Reasons for harmful effects may include lack of youth’s skill development in real-world settings, limited adult supervision, and increased opportunities for delinquent youth to associate with each other. Examples of ineffective approaches include: transfer of juvenile offenders to the adult criminal system; shock and military-style programs (e.g., Scared Straight, boot camps); residential or individual treatment used in isolation; training youth to mediate peer conflict in school settings; and not promoting youth to succeeding grades. 12 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors Contextual and Cross-Cutting Themes The strategies and approaches included in this technical package represent different levels of the social ecology, with efforts intended to impact individual behaviors and also the relationships, families, schools, and communities that influence risk and protective factors for youth violence. The strategies and approaches are intended to work in combination and reinforce each other to prevent youth violence in a comprehensive and long-term way (see box below). While individual skills are important and research has demonstrated the preventive effects of many youth skill development programs, approaches addressing relationships with parents, peers, and other caring adults as well as approaches that influence school and community environments are equally important to have the greatest public health impact. Preventing Youth Violence Strategy Approach Promote family environments that support healthy development • Early childhood home visitation • Parenting skill and family relationship programs Provide quality education early in life • Preschool enrichment with family engagement Strengthen youth’s skills • Universal school-based programs Connect youth to caring adults and activities • Mentoring programs • After-school programs Create protective community environments • Modify the physical and social environment • Reduce exposure to community-level risks • Street outreach and community norm change Intervene to lessen harms and prevent future risk • Treatment to lessen the harms of violence exposures • Treatment to prevent problem behavior and further involvement in violence • Hospital-community partnerships The social and cultural context of communities and organizations is critically important to take into account when selecting strategies and approaches for implementation. Practitioners in the field may be in the best position to assess the needs and strengths of their communities and work with partners to make decisions about the combination of approaches included here that are best suited to their context. Data-driven strategic prevention planning models, such as Communities That Care (CTC), PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Encourage Resiliency (PROSPER), and the Cardiff Violence Prevention Partnership, can support communities in using data to assess local risks and protective factors to inform the selection and ongoing monitoring of evidence-based programs. These data- driven partnerships and activities can contribute to significant reductions in violence, violence-related injuries, and crime as well as cost savings for the medical, educational, and justice systems.95-102 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 13 The strategies and approaches in this package have the potential to reduce multiple forms of violence (e.g., child abuse and neglect, teen dating violence, sexual violence) and other adolescent health problems (e.g., teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections). The strategies and approaches in this technical package can improve young people’s adaptive behavior and academic success. For instance, school-based programs that strengthen youth’s problem- solving and conflict management skills can reduce physical and verbal violence, bullying, teen dating violence, sexual violence, alcohol and drug use, and sexual risk behaviors.76 They can also be used to strengthen academic performance, improve graduation rates, and create a positive school climate. Given that many risks for youth violence are evident before adolescence, programs that are designed to promote healthy child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect can also potentially prevent violence in the teen years and in adulthood.103-105 The interconnection of these experiences and risk and protective factors suggests that the implementation of strategies and approaches to prevent youth violence can have substantial, long-term health, social, and economic benefits.64,65 However, it is also important to note that child abuse and neglect, teen dating violence, and sexual violence may also require additional prevention activities than those outlined in this technical package. CDC has developed technical packages for these other forms of violence to help communities identify additional strategies and approaches.106-109 Public health has a clear responsibility to help reduce the health burden of youth violence, has expertise applying science to reduce the risk for complex health problems, and can act to reduce youth violence.1 This package includes strategies where public health agencies are well positioned to bring leadership and resources to implementation efforts. It also includes strategies where public health can serve as an important collaborator (e.g., strategies addressing community-level risks), but where leadership and commitment from other sectors, such as business, is critical to implement a particular policy or program (e.g., business improvement districts). The role of various sectors in the implementation of a strategy or approach in preventing youth violence is described further in the section on Sector Involvement. In the sections that follow, the strategies and approaches with the best available evidence for preventing youth violence are described.  The strategies and approaches in this technical package can improve young people’s adaptive behavior and academic success. A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 15 Promote Family Environments that Support Healthy Development Rationale The family environment plays a key role in shaping youth’s physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health, and this influence extends from early childhood through late adolescence and beyond.110-111 Family environments that are unstable, stressful, lack structure and supervision, have poor relationships and communication between family members, and use harsh or limited discipline with children are risk factors for youth violence and contribute to young people developing other risks, such as poor problem-solving skills and early and continued perpetration of aggression.33,48,112,113 Decades of research show that nurturing and supportive family environments where caregivers build warm and caring relationships with children, monitor children’s activities and friendships, set age-appropriate expectations and rules, and use consistent and nonviolent discipline significantly lower the risk for youth violence and other adolescent health risk behaviors.33,46-52 The promotion of positive family environments throughout a child’s development is connected to caregivers’ knowledge about healthy and age-appropriate child development as well as the ways families communicate, manage behavior, and resolve conflict. Approaches There are a number of approaches that can help families create and maintain supportive, nurturing, and structured environments at every stage of a young person’s development. Early childhood home visitation programs provide information, caregiver support, and training about child health, development, and care to families in their homes, and help families access services. Home visiting programs may be delivered by nurses, professionals, or paraprofessionals.114 Many programs are offered to low-income, first time mothers to help them establish healthy family environments.114 The content and structure of programs can also vary depending on the model being utilized, with some being highly manualized and others being more flexible in delivery.114 Some programs begin during pregnancy, while others begin after the birth of the child and may continue up through the child entering elementary school. Parenting skill and family relationship programs provide caregivers with support and teach communication, problem-solving, and behavior monitoring and management skills. These programs can be self-directed or delivered to individual families or groups of families. For families at high risk for conflict and child behavior problems, tailored delivery to individual families yields greater benefits than group administration.47,115,116 Single-parent families often participate in these programs, and some programs have sessions primarily with parents while others include parent, youth, and family sessions. Programs are typically designed for families with children in a specific age range, with some designed for preschool and elementary aged children and others for middle and high-school aged youth.49,115 Specific program content typically varies by the age of the child but often has consistent themes of child development, parental monitoring and management of children’s behavior, appropriate use of rewards and punishment, parent-child communication and relationships, and youth’s interpersonal and problem-solving skills.49,51,52,115 16 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors Potential Outcomes • Reductions in behavior problems and disruptive behavior at home and school • Reductions in physical fighting, aggression, and delinquency • Reductions in arrests, convictions, and probation violations • Reductions in alcohol and drug use by youth and parents • Reductions in family conflict • Reductions in child abuse and neglect • Reductions in parental depression and stress • Increases in compliance to caregiver’s directions • Increases in prosocial behavior (e.g., social skills, such as concern for others, empathy, and cooperation) • Increases in parent-child connection, communication, and relationship quality • Increases in positive parenting practices, such as monitoring and supervision of youth’s activities, use of consistent and nonviolent discipline, and involvement and support of youth Evidence Approaches that enhance family environments have demonstrated effects in preventing youth violence and other adolescent health risk behaviors.46-52,104 Early childhood home visitation. Home visiting programs are effective in improving parenting behaviors and children’s social and emotional development, but the evidence is mixed with some programs showing strong effects and others showing few to no effects potentially due to the varying content and delivery of these programs.114,117 Families participating in the Nurse Family Partnership® (NFP) program had 45% fewer childhood behavior problems and parental coping problems as recorded by physicians relative to nonparticipating families, and participating youth by age 15 had significantly fewer arrests, convictions, and probation violations.104,118 Female youth at age 19 whose family participated in NFP were significantly less likely than a comparison group to be arrested (10% versus 30%) and convicted (4% versus 20%).103 NFP also demonstrated significant impacts on risk and protective factors for youth violence, including reducing child abuse and neglect and substance use by parents and youths.104,119 The Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness Review identifies other home visiting programs that may work for communities, depending on available resources and the context in which the home visiting program is delivered.114 Parenting skill and family relationship programs. Multiple systematic reviews of various parent skill and family relationship approaches have demonstrated beneficial impacts on perpetration as well as risk and protective factors for youth violence.33,47,49,51,52,76 One example is The Incredible Years®, which is designed for families with young children up to 12 years of age and can be implemented with additional components for teachers and children in school. A meta-analysis of effects associated with The Incredible Years® found significant decreases in children’s disruptive behaviors at home and school and increases in their prosocial behaviors.120 Impacts on other risk and protective factors include reductions in parental depression and stress, improvements in children’s compliance with parental directions, stronger parent-child connections and communication, and improvements in positive parenting practices related to monitoring, discipline, and mother-child interactions.76,121 Behavioral benefits are broader and sustained longer when both the parent and child participate in the program.121 Parent Management Training-Oregon Model™ (PMTO) is another example where participating youth, relative to controls, have demonstrated significantly lower rates of behavior problems, aggression, and arrest.122,123 Other program benefits of PMTO include increases in positive parenting practices and the family’s socioeconomic status.124,125 Several other effective programs focus on families with youth ages 10–17. This transitional period into adolescence is when risk behaviors can increase and more severe forms of violence can emerge. Examples of effective programs include Strengthening Families 10–14, Coping Power, and Familias Unidas™. Four years after participating in the Strengthening Families 10–14 program, self-report data from youth indicated significant relative reductions in physical fighting (32%), throwing items to cause injury (54%), and purposely damaging property (77%) as well as lower levels of observer-rated family conflict.126 Relative to families in control conditions, participating families also reported lower youth substance use and improvements in parent-child affective quality and child management skills.127-129 Rigorous evaluations of Coping Power show significantly lower rates of youth delinquency and aggressive acts, parents’ lack of support, and youth substance use among participating families relative to controls one and three years after participating in the program.130-132 One study of Familias Unidas™ found reductions in adolescent aggression and other behavior problems over time among participating families relative to controls. Program participants relative to controls also demonstrated improvements in protective factors for adolescent behavior problems, including increased parental involvement and support of youth, positive parenting practices, parent-child communication, parental monitoring, and youth’s substance use.133-135 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 17 Approaches that enhance family environments have demonstrated effects in preventing youth violence. 18 A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors Provide Quality Education Early in Life Rationale Quality early childhood education can improve children’s cognitive and socioemotional development and increase the likelihood that children will experience safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments and long-term academic success and health, including lower rates of behavior problems, aggression, and crime.136,137 High-quality early education environments, such as ones that are licensed and accredited, promote youth’s social skill and cognitive development, strengthen connections to school, and reduce problem behaviors at school and at home.138,139 These benefits in turn contribute to stronger scholastic achievement and less family stress and conflict throughout childhood and adolescence. Early childhood education that includes parental engagement can strengthen youth outcomes, family involvement in children’s future education, and parenting practices and attitudes.137,140,141 These integrated approaches also create pathways for youth and families to access ancillary supports, such as employment, transportation and meal assistance, and mental and physical health services, which can further address risks and build buffers against future violence. Approaches Preschool enrichment with family engagement is an approach for enhancing the foundation for a child’s academic, social, and behavioral development through adolescence and into adulthood. Preschool enrichment with family engagement programs provide high-quality early education and support to economically disadvantaged families to build a strong foundation for the children’s future learning and healthy development and lower risks for future academic and behavioral problems. Programs are generally available to children and families who meet basic qualifications, such as being residents in a high-poverty school area eligible for federal Title I funding, demonstrate need and agree to participate, or have incomes at or below the federal poverty level.142 Program content and delivery vary based on the model used and can include home visits, connections to community supports, and half- to full-day child care and school programs. Parental involvement is emphasized as critical in the child’s development and in increasing children’s success in school. Programs often begin in infancy or toddlerhood and may continue into early or middle childhood. Potential Outcomes • Reductions in aggressive behavior • Reductions in arrests, convictions, and incarceration • Reductions in child abuse and neglect, welfare encounters, and out-of-home placements • Reductions in grade retention and special education services • Reductions in smoking, alcohol, and drug use • Reductions in parent’s use of harsh verbal and physical discipline • Increases in cognitive and language development • Increases in nurturing and supportive parent-child interactions, effective child behavior management strategies, and home environments supportive of learning • Increases in high school completion, college attendance, and number of years of education • Increases in full-time employment and health insurance in adulthood A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors 19 Quality early childhood education can increase the likelihood that children will experience safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Evidence Evidence exists that preschool enrichment programs with family engagement can reduce children’s aggression and conduct problems as well as reduce youth’s perpetration of violence and aggression during adolescence and young adulthood, with benefits stronger and more stable when preschool and family supports extend into early elementary school.143 Preschool enrichment with family engagement programs can lower the prevalence of problems in early childhood, including aggression and child abuse and neglect, and have broader and long-term impacts on parent-child interactions and youth’s academic achievement, substance use, and perpetration of violence and crime. Examples of effective programs are Child Parent Centers (CPCs) and Early Head Start (EHS). CPCs have been evaluated in multiple, long-term studies. For instance, when followed to age 20, low-income minority children who participated in the CPC preschool program, relative to youth in other early