Beyond Violence Prevention: Recommendations for Coordinated State Action to Promote Safety in California

From economic insecurity to emotional well-being to systemic racism, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed stressors impacting residents of California. Concerns about violence and safety are also on the rise, underscoring the need for decisive State action to remediate past harms and cultivate conditions where we can all thrive.

Produced for PHI’s State of Equity program and written as a project for the Master of Public Program at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, this report by Becca Brownlee provides research and strategic analysis on how the state of California can take action on preventing violence and promoting safety.

This research included 26 interviews with key stakeholders, a literature review, and a review of previously identified recommendations for State action. Based on this data, the author has developed the following recommendations for action by the State of California:

Recommendations

Recommendation Bucket 1: Programmatic enhancements- leverage existing programs, resources, and staff expertise

Recommendation 1.1 Expand HiAP Task Force focused on trauma-informed service lines and understanding the root causes of violence, creating space for dialogue and coordination between State departments and agencies.

Recommendation 1.2 Develop and adopt a State safety& justice framework in California, bringing community and government voices to one table for development.

Recommendation Bucket 2: Structural reforms- create new pathways for violence prevention work by transforming existing systems

Recommendation 2.1 Establish a centralized champion of violence prevention work.

Recommendation 2.2 Streamline the allocation of funds with lower burdens on administrators and shift away from perverse incentives for funding.

Recommendation Bucket 3: Policy co-creation- pivot away from existing systems to build new service lines focused on upstream needs built with, not for, community

Recommendation 3.1 Declare racism a public health crisis.

Recommendation 3.2 Transform government budget and services lines to further promote upstream approaches to prevention and healing.