The SAW Coalition is comprised of four subcommittees
Comprehensive Gang Model Implementation
Subcommittee Chairperson: Diane Kellogg
The SAW Coalition has chosen to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model. The CGM is based on the best practices of almost 20 years of implementation experience in real-life communities. In 2007, the OOY hired a Gang Prevention Coordinator. Since that time, she has led a community initiative to implement the CGM in the region.
The catalyst for implementation of the CGM came in March 2009, when a team comprised of the Gang Prevention Coordinator, police investigators, and a Department of Social Services Child Protective Services supervisor attended OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model Training. Upon their return, the CGM was presented to key stakeholders. In July 2009, twenty-four stakeholders signed Memoranda of Understanding committing their support to the implementation of the CGM and cooperation in the subsequent community needs assessment. From these stakeholders, the CGM Steering Committee was formed.
The Steering Committee was charged with conducting a community needs assessment. Under the direction of researchers from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA the assessment process began in January 2010. During the past year, demographic data has been collected, a resource inventory has been collected, police data has been collected, and gang members have been interviewed. Data was analyzed. A final report was presented to the Steering Committee in August 2011 for review and comment before it is publically released in November.
Community Education
Subcommittee Chairperson: Keri Jones
Between October 2010 and September 2011, Coalition members and staff conducted 63 presentations about the gang and substance abuse problem in our community. These presentations reached a documented 8,382 people. Audiences included school personnel, neighborhood watch meetings, juvenile offenders, parenting workshops, church groups, civic organizations, and business clubs.
Recognition and Recruitment
Subcommittee Chairperson: Nancy Tyree
The SAW Recognition and Recruitment or R & R sub-committee focuses on recruiting new volunteers to work with local youth serving agencies, while recognizing those in the community who strive to advocate for and provide youth with positive opportunities. This sub-committee is responsible for planning and implementing the Coalition’s annual rally.
Sustainability
Subcommittee Chairperson: Keri Jones
The SAW Coalition has developed and written a formal sustainability plan. This plan follows the suggestions of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of American Sustainability Primer. It includes a strategic plan for sustaining community change, a listing of needed resources to reach program outcomes, a determination of funding strategies, and an action plan to utilize when approaching potential funding partners.