DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH RECEIVES

HHS and DOJ Award $1.1M to Support Innovative Approaches to Curb Youth Violence

Funding program seeks to reduce violence and help youth reach their full potential

The DeKalb County Board of Health, in partnership with DeKalb County Government’s Police Department and the City of Clarkston’s Police Department, announced the acceptance of a $1.1M award by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help curb youth violence and improve the health and well-being of under-served and distressed communities.

Despite significant improvements in the overall health status of the nation, youth violence and reduced access to public health services persist among racial and ethnic minority populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,700 young people ages 10 to 24 were victims of homicide in 2012 – an average of 13 each day.  In this age group, homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans, the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, and the third leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

For more information and photos, please see the attached news release.

Youth Violence Grant 2014

and also:

New National Collaboration Aims to Curb Violence and Improve Public Health Access for Minority Youth:

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Blog/BlogPost.aspx?BlogID=26