ANTI-GANG EDUCATION COALITION of Eastern PA

1. ANTI-GANG EDUCATION COALITIONof Eastern PA

2. Reasons Kids Join Gangs: • Attention • Recognition/reputation • Love and support • Forced to • Boredom • Take the place of family • Drugs • Financial gain • Power/control • Family legacy • Learned behaviors

3. Potential Consequences of Gang Involvement: • School failure/dropout/underachievement • Unemployment • Incarceration • Desensitized to violence (beatings, injuries, stabbings, shootings, killings) • Loss of freedom (have to do gangs bidding) • Break up family • Innocent people hurt • Adverse impact on family • Lose friends • Interferes with career options • Shunned by neighbors • Singled out as a troublemaker

4. How do we save children from the influence of gangs and extremist groups while making it economically sustainable? • Pool together resources and areas of expertise. • Knowledge is key; it gives a more promising future and saves school districts and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. • See our at-risk students as a resource to invest in, rather than as a drain on the system. • Take proactive steps to keep our children engaged in learning and out of the criminal justice system.

5. Mission of the Youth Crimeand Violence Task Force • Established in summer of 1996. • The Task Force supports the development and coordination of strategies that address issues of youth crime and violence by facilitating communication and collaboration within Lehigh County. • Participants include Police, Judges, Education, Community representatives, Public Defender, District Attorney, Human Services, etc.

6. Initiatives under Task Force • Operation Night Light • Information Sharing Legislation • Serious Habitual Offender Program • Gang Awareness Conferences • Anti-Truancy Initiatives • Mentoring Conferences • Route 222 Anti- Gang Initiative • Gang Prevention Efforts • Next steps: Stronger attention on Gang Intervention with focus on employment and vocational skills.

7. THE 222 CORRIDOR Gang Prevention Task Force 2007

8. Assessment of Gang ProblemDr. Tina Richardson, Lehigh University The purpose of the assessment was to gather and summarize quantitative and qualitative data regarding the prevalence of gangs and their effects on public safety and quality of life in the city

9. Gangs and extremist groups along the222 CORRIDOR Gangs • Acres Production 2 • BBD • Bloods • Cash Money Boys • Crips • Cumberland St. • DDP-Dominicans Don’t Play • Fellaset • Goonies • Gordon St. Boys • HB-Handsome Boys • HBG-Hood Bangers • Latin Kings • Los solidos • MS 13 • ND 12th St. • Netas • Taliban • Trinitarios Extremist Groups • Keystone State Skinheads • Racist Skinhead • National Socialist Movement • Neo-Nazi • The Creativity Alliance • Neo-Nazi • The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ • Black Separatist

10. Programming Funded- 222Approximately $200,000 • Over 25 Community Based programs were funded for nearly 2 years under this Initiative. • Funding ended in summer of 2009. NOW WHAT? • Lehigh County Gang Prevention and Intervention committee. • Build community supports to combat gang activity.

11. Goals to Reduce Gang Involvement • Increase academic performance • Increase school attendance • Promote involvement in pro social activities • Develop awareness of the reality of the gang life style • Increase utilization of youth serving organizations • Improve youth’s behavior in the community • Recruit assistance and involvement from the community • Reduce Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System • Improve family involvement and relationship

12. According to the Gates Foundation • Each year the economy loses $33 Billion due to drop outs. • If a 6th grade student fails English, Math or any other two courses, they have a significant risk of not graduating. • If we increase the male graduation rate by 5% there will be an estimated $4.9 billion in crime related savings.

13. Drop out data 2009-2010 for grades 7-12 from PDE Report • Approximately 44% of youth drop out for unknown reasons according to PDE for 2009-2010. • According to PSEA the average state tuition reimbursement is between $2000-$6000 per school district. • If 25% drop out because of gang/delinquent behavior the lost revenue for the 5 school districts could amount to $2,785,000

14. Keeping ONE High Risk Youth in School and Crime/Drug FREE can Save Taxpayers $1.7-$2.3 Million Dollars • According to the publication, New Evidence on the Monetary Value of Saving a High Risk Youth (December 2007) Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No 08-07, 1.7 to 2.3 million taxpayer money is saved by keeping ONE high risk youth in school and crime/drug free. $1,700,000 x 464 = $788,800,000in taxpayer savings • The National Gang Center estimates that 34.5 percent of all cities, suburban areas, towns, and rural counties (more than 3,500 jurisdictions served by city and county law enforcement agencies) experiences gang problems in 2009.

15. Alternative School Placement • Out of district Alternative School Placement is an option used by many districts alike, however the expense associated with such programs can be costly for the home district. • Average Alternative Placement Cost • Per day rate is based on average cost of four alternative placement programs in the Lehigh Valley

16. A Tale of Two Boys

17. Mission Statement Create a procedural framework for school districts in the fight against gangs.   This information is based on the OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model, and designed to apply to all types of schools.

18. Improve the communication and involvement between school districts, law enforcement, and community agencies • Schedule meetings between probation, SRO’s, community agencies, and schools. • Create a formal process for referring students to law enforcement and community agencies. • Appoint a school district point person for information sharing. • (Director of Security, SRO’s, School Administrators) • Establish a formal process to report and catalogue all gang suspected activity. (pictures, student lists, anonymous tips) • Use SRO’s and community officers (CO’s) to talk with students in classrooms. • Encourage school boards to adopt policies that help improve communication. • Establish or participate in a focused community task force involving all stakeholders. (Included churches and local businesses).

19. Create an easy to use system for school districts to share information & resources • School point people will have access to our wiki space and other recommended sites. • An active and updated list of school point people should be distributed across counties. • Establish a set meeting schedule for point people, SRO’s and CO’s across school districts and municipalities. • School districts must closely examine how they can share gang programs, staff and resources with other districts. (speakers, materials, joint grants, & information)

20. Use meaningful and coordinated professional development on gangs and extremist groups toenhance awareness among schools and the community • Set a budget for professional development on gangs and commit to specific programming annually. • Include community members and service providers in professional development to share information and decrease cost. • Professional development should go beyond “Gang 101 – Identification”. It should encourage community activism, student mentorship, and school involvement. • Professional development should include the OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model and a Gang Risk Survey

21. Create and support school district policies that address gangs and extremist groups. • Define the term “gang/extremist group” in school district policy and create a detailed procedure for addressing the issue. • Establish a system of communication for policy change and recommendation from building level staff to central administration. • Use a community task force and existing agencies/programs to obtain data to support policy enforcement or change. • Encourage school board members and school administrators to analyze district policies or practices that discourage community agencies from assisting.

22. Provide, identify and publicize positive prevention and intervention programs for school age children • Utilize effective prevention programs. (GRIPE, GREAT) • Create and support active afterschool and summer programs to keep children engaged. (Boys & Girls Clubs, 21st Century Community Service Centers, Kids of Character, Pre-Apprentice Program) • Recognize and reward students involved in these programs to maximize use. • Promote positive behavior, character development, independent living skills, and employment skills. • Utilize speakers who have “turned their life around” and hold follow up meetings to discuss issues. • Provide intensive mentorship and leadership development programs (Multicultural Student Leadership Conference) • Hold family programming (family fun night, movies, carnivals) • Maintain an active list of community services and points of contact. • Create a referral based system for community services to assist families.

23. Establish a College, Career and Opportunity Center in your high school • Utilize databases to research college and career options (careercruising.com). • Post and publicize college scholarships, grants, and loan programs. • Hire a coordinator or use guidance staff for personnel. • Attend college/career fairs in the area. • Schedule college admissions staff, community professionals, and military recruiters to talk with students. • Coordinate internship and job shadow experiences with local employers. • Post local job opportunities for students in the center

24. Plan Action Phase collaborative and cost-effective • Establish a meeting schedule with point people • Improve gang/extremist group related communication within and between school districts • Improve collaboration with law enforcement and the community • Examine systems to share information: wiki space, websites, speakers, programs, etc. • Examine professional development within school districts • Identify and publicize positive prevention and intervention programs for implementation to reduce dropouts and gang activity

25. Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Survey Greetings! The Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA is a coalition of public school teachers, administrators and law enforcement officials. Their mission is to create awareness and decrease gang/extremist group activity in schools through professional collaboration focused on information sharing, professional development and intervention recommendations. The Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA is presenting at PSEA’s Eastern Region Leadership Conference at Bear Creek Mountain Resort on March 10, 2012. In an effort to better understand our audience, please complete the following survey by Tuesday, March 5, 2012. Results of the survey will be shared at the conference. Thank you! Which setting best describes the area where your school district is located? Urban Rural Suburban What building level do you teach? Elementary School Middle School High School

26. Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Survey What is your district’s student population? 1,000 or less 1,001-2,500 2,501-5,000 5,001-10,000 10,000+ Where are you employed? (drop down menu of school districts) Other (please specify) Do you believe gangs are a problem in your school? Yes No Not sure If you answered yes to question 5, which gangs are present? Acres Production 2 Keystone State Skinheads BBD Latin Kings Cash Money Boys Los Solidos Crips MS 13 Cumberland St. National Socialist Movement (neo-Nazi) DDP-Dominicans Don’t Play ND 12th St. Fellaset Netas Goonies Taliban Gordon St. Boys The Creativity Alliance HB-Handsome Boys The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ (Black Separtist) HBG-Hood Bangers Trinitarios Other:

27. Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Survey What signs do you see that lead you to believe that gang members are present? Behavior changes Graffiti in the neighborhood Increase in physical confrontations or threats of physical confrontations Language-uncommon terms or phrases Milling-gathering/hanging out especially where there is an audience Right/left rule apparel worn in a specific manner – either right or left Students flashing hand signals Symbols on students’ notebooks, folders, etc. Tattoos Uses of street language and nicknames Wearing colors (bandanas, beads, etc.) All of the Above Other What types of problems do gang members present in your school? Truancy Classroom discipline Classroom disruptions Drugs Violence victimization/intimidation Other When are gang related activities occurring? Before school Lunch During school After school

28. Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Survey Where are gang related activities occurring? School grounds-during school School grounds-school sponsored events (i.e. dances, sporting events, etc.) Community parks Other What issues do you think contribute to gang activity? Poverty Drug/Alcohol Single parent homes Lack of parental supervision Family involved in gangs Other What school based services are available? SAP Child study Crisis team Disciplinary SRO Other

29. Anti Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Survey Finish the statement—Gang activity in my school is . . . Increasing Decreasing Remaining about the same Not sure Non existent What are strategies your school uses to combat gang problems? Prevention Intervention Suppression Comprehensive Other Name ONE strategy you wish your district would employ to combat gang problems. Thank you!

30. FAQs

31. What are the necessary steps to prepare a school district to employ our framework?

32. What are the necessary steps to prepare a school district to employ our framework? • Recognition of problem • Identify school district contact person/ coordinator/point person • Gang 101 professional development • Needs assessment-overall including gang related behavior (customize for parents, students and school staff) • Framework presentation

33. Who are the key players? • Students • Parents and local residents • Teachers/union • Law enforcement-district magistrates, SROs, Juvenile Probation, etc. • PTAs/PTOs • Administrators-Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Transportation Supervisors, Building Level Administrators • School Boards • Neighboring school districts • Local colleges • Local business owners, Chamber of Commerce • Community agencies, i.e. Children & Youth/neighborhood centers/faith based organizations • Mayor’s Office, City Councils • State Representatives

34. How can schools get their key players to work together toward a solution?

35. How can schools get their key players to work together toward a solution? (continued)

36. How can schools get their key players to work together toward a solution? (continued)

37. What are the challenges schools may face regarding community involvement? • Lack of community involvement • Limited funding • Gaining trust of community members • Fear of being targeted/retaliation • Event attendance-difficulty rallying community participation • Communication (lack of resources to spread the message) • Community Education • Community empowerment-combatting perception that we are powerless

38. Identify school district assets to gaining community support. Examples: • Venue location • Captive audience • Outreach services-bilingual, technical language, health services, mental health services • Established community/neighborhood networks • Established school model and family centers • Student community service opportunities-clubs and group • Potential partnerships

39. Guidelines for school districts to consider when choosing an intervention program. • Price and budget • Targeted age • Research based • Results of needs assessment • Success rate • Compatibility with existing school district initiatives • Level of involvement with gangs (prevention, intervention, suppression) • Skill sets of key players • Professional development needs

40. What data could be used to measure outcomes? • Student involvement in school activities • School wide surveys-improvement in area of perceived safety • Grades and attendance • Dropout rates • Number of school infractions and crime in the community • Testimonials of program success

41. Indicators of Long Term Sustainability • Increase in community partnerships • Collaboration among school districts • Continued improvement in data • Established relationships with law enforcement

42. Website Resource Directory Lehigh County Network of Care: http://lehigh.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/home/index.cfm Direct to Network of Care resource directory: http://lehigh.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/resource/find.cfm Community Services for Children: Community Resource Book http://www.cscinc.org/docs/community_resource_booklet_2009-2010.pdf Valley Wide Help – Online resource database http://www.irissoft.com/vwhp/ Valley Wide Help printed resource directory can be purchased at the “American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley” Allentown Youth Source www.allentownyouthsource.org Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention www.ojjdp.gov National Gang Center http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/

43. Anti-Gang Education Coalition of Eastern PA Subcommittee • Harrison Bailey IIIAssistant PrincipalParkland High Schoolhbailey@beth.k12.pa.us610-351-5600 • Andrew DeAngeloRetired, Deputy Chief, County of Lehigh Juvenile Probation Departmentajd07@aol.com484-226-4609 • Jena BrodheadPresident, Easton Area Education Associationjbrodhead@eastonteachers.org610-730-7171 • Robert H. CrevelingPSEA Eastern Region Field Directorrcreveling@psea.org800-322-9032 or 610-391-0835 • Vivian Robledo-ShoreySupervisor of Student and Community Engagement • Bethlehem Area School Districtvrobledoshorey@beth.k12.pa.us610-861-0500 • Jose RosadoAllentown School DistrictDirector of Community & Student Services rosadojo@allentownsd.org484-765-4000 • Maureen FosterPSEA Staff Associatemfoster@psea.org800-322-9032 or 610-391-0835 Presenters: Harrison Bailey, III, Vivian Robledo-Shorey, and Andy DeAngelo