International Conference Will Focus on Effective Violence and Drug Prevention Programs for Youth and Their Families

Internationally known program experts will provide guidance to help practitioners implement evidence-based programs successfully in their communities at the second biennial Blueprints conference.

(PRWEB) February 4, 2008 -- Hundreds of professionals are expected to attend the second biennial international conference in Denver, Colorado, to share ideas and gain insight into working with youth to prevent or reduce violence, delinquency and drug use. The Blueprints Conference will be held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Denver, March 17-19, 2008. It is hosted by the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The conference brings together representatives of "model" and "promising" programs to disseminate scientific information on effective youth violence, delinquency and drug prevention and intervention programs.

"The media often contacts us when something 'bad' happens. The CSPV exists, however, to promote programs that actually makes things go 'right.' Our programs have changed the lives of thousands of teens and their families for the better, and have proven outcomes," says Delbert S. Elliott, PhD, executive director of the CSPV. "That's why we've continued this biennial conference. It's to share ideas and successes, and to evaluate progress and plan for the future."

That's why we've continued this biennial conference. It's to share ideas and successes, and to evaluate progress and plan for the future.

Internationally known program experts will provide guidance to help practitioners implement evidence-based programs successfully in their communities. Keynote speakers include Delbert S. Elliott, PhD, Executive Director, CSPV; Steve Aos, Assistant Director, Washington State Institute for Public Policy; Mark T. Greenberg, PhD, Director, Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development, Penn State University; and Clay Yeager, Juvenile Justice Consultant.

Speakers and participants include community prevention advocates, department heads of violence and drug prevention agencies, state and local government leaders responsible for prevention funding and initiatives, leaders of the criminal justice systems, and program implementers. The conference is designed for those involved or interested in the Blueprints programs, individuals interested in pursuing a career in child mental health services, anyone working in youth-serving systems, and child advocates.

The registration fee for the conference is $350 per person. The registration fee for the pre-conference sessions is $140 per person. The conference Web site, www.blueprintsconference.com, offers online registration and details on sessions, speakers and travel information.

Sponsors include Blueprints for Violence Prevention, Evidence-Based Associates, Association for the Advancement of Evidence Based Practice, Channing Bete Company, Functional Family Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy, LifeSkills Training, Hazelden, TFC Consultants, Inc., Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Nurse-Family Partnership, and LifeSkills Center.

About Blueprints for Violence Prevention: With grant funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Blueprints for Violence Prevention at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at the University of Colorado, designed and launched a national violence prevention initiative in 1998 to identify and disseminate effective violence prevention programs nationwide. The project has identified 11 model prevention and intervention programs. Program effectiveness is based upon an initial review by CSPV and a final review and recommendation from a distinguished advisory board, comprised of seven experts in the field of violence prevention. The 11 model programs, called Blueprints, have been effective in reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency and substance abuse. Another 17 programs have been identified as promising. To date, more than 700 programs have been reviewed, and the Center continues to look for programs that meet selection criteria.

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