Training Sessions Aim to Reduce Youth Violence

Gov. Maggie Hassan on May 6 announced statewide training sessions to reduce and prevent youth violence. 

The "Media Power Youth" program is a public-private initiative.

"Maintaining New Hampshire’s distinction as one of the safest states in the nation is our most important responsibility," Hassan said in a press release. "This evidenced-based approach will help parents, educators and young people understand media's role in influencing behavior, and it has already received a tremendous response in communities throughout the state, as more than 55 New Hampshire schools and districts representing approximately 150 communities are getting involved."

Funded through a grant from the Office of the Attorney General, this statewide initiative enables Media Power Youth, a Manchester-based nonprofit and expert in media literacy, to provide free curricula and training for New Hampshire teachers and school professionals to implement in their schools.

The evidence-based curriculum, Media Literacy for Safe & Healthy Choices, is designed for fourth, fifth and sixth grades students. It promotes healthy decisions and positive use of media while students learn about the media’s role and influence on violence, aggression and bullying; tobacco and alcohol use; and food choices.

"Violence, aggression, disrespect, bullying and cyber-bullying — all behaviors which can be destructive, even if they never reach the level of criminal activity — are becoming more prevalent in children," said Deputy Attorney General Ann Rice. "All too often, the influence of media is seen as a contributing factor. Violence, especially that perpetrated by youth, is preventable. The response from New Hampshire principals and superintendents demonstrates that media education and violence prevention are a significant need."

The first of eight trainings for those implementing the curriculum is scheduled for Friday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Local Government Center Health Trust at 25 Triangle Park Drive in Concord.

Future trainings will be held on Aug. 13 at Frisbie Education Center in Rochester, Sept. 19 at Whole Village Family Resource Center in Plymouth, and Nov. 7 at Manchester Community College. 

Additional dates and locations will be announced.

The full-day training provides educators with the skills and knowledge needed for successful implementation of the program and a free copy of the curriculum for their school. 

All attendees completing training will receive professional development hours. The violence prevention initiative also provides middle, high school and parent programs for a select number of communities in the 2014-2015 school year that will be announced in June.

The program brings together leaders from the fields of criminal justice, law enforcement, education, health and human services, health care, foundations, and business, as well as parents and community members. 

Partnering with the Governor and Office of the Attorney General are U.S. Attorney John Kacavas, New Hampshire Education Commissioner Virginia Barry, the New Hampshire Association of School Principals, the New Hampshire Pediatric Society, the National Education Association, and the New Hampshire School Counselors Association.

Governor Hassan included $100,000 in violence prevention grant funding in the FY 2014-2015 state budget, and the $50,000 grant for the first year was approved last year by the Executive Council.

For information on bringing the violence prevention program to a school district or community, please contact Media Power Youth at 603-222-1200 or sarah.shanahan@mediapoweryouth.org.