KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – In a move to diffuse violence throughout the Kalamazoo community, the Michigan Transformation Collective, Gryphon Place, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College are piloting a professional certificate training program in Community Violence Intervention.
KVCC officials say the intent is to strengthen the capacity and alignment of local community violence efforts, increase community awareness of evidence-based community violence intervention methods, and professionalize the career of a frontline worker.
The 38-hour certificate program was identified as a community need for street outreach workers in the Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace, the first long-term, public health-minded, and community-led violence prevention strategy for Kalamazoo County.
The CVI Certificate Program provides training for 30 community violence interventionists in Kalamazoo County, identified by law enforcement and community partners. The training started April 29.
Organizers say in the training, participants will:
Understand violence as a public health issue and the role it plays in community violence intervention in Kalamazoo County.
Identify and practice high-risk conflict mediation.
Create a documentation process for Kalamazoo County street outreach.
Learn how to use local data to inform violence intervention work.
Understand the ways personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions.
Provide guidance and suicide first-aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs.
Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it.
Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community.
Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention, including life-promotion and self-care.
Other community partners include: Bent Not Broken, Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home, Urban Alliance, Peace During Way, Group Violence Intervention, St8 Motivation, Girls Loving Our Wisdom, HOPE thru Navigation, Pastors on Patrol, BLOCKS Club, and individual community members.
“We are confident that this training will enhance efforts to diffuse violence throughout the Kalamazoo community,” said Jennifer Heymoss, Kalamazoo Blueprint for Peace chief facilitator.
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