• Gun violence is at epidemic proportions, both locally and nationally, within our communities. Death by gun violence is the number one killer of African American males between the ages of 15-34. Suicide rates, previously considered a problem prevalent among whites, are rising at alarming proportions among black teenagers. This campaign takes a proactive approach to reducing these incidents.

• The task force holds a quarterly meeting between Chief Ramsey, top level police officials and homicide officers, the justice department, government agencies, and organizations and individuals directly involved in homicide related issues. Its purpose is candid dialogue and discourse about collaborating to reduce incidents of homicide, foster better cooperation between community and police, and assist victims of homicide.

• In an effort to help reduce gun violence, WPFW has teamed up with ROOT Inc. to conduct forums once per month at schools within the metropolitan area. These forums will be broadcast live on the radio.

ROOT/UDC Task Force

• The task force is an initiative and collaboration between UDC and ROOT to get UDC more involved in community outreach and be a leader in researching issues of violence in Washington, DC.

• The Community Level Change Project is a collaboration between the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, Dr. Maxwell Manning, the University of Maryland, Dr. Christopher Thompson, the Boston Police Department, and ROOT developing initiatives to affect change at the community level. A proposal was created and sent to the Center for Disease Control, as well as distributed to officials in the District government.

Community in Action

• Community in Action is a collaboration between ROOT, government agencies, various organizations, and Dr. Christopher Thompson to develop a method to reduce violence at the community level. The program is driven by the community it seeks to serve by acting based on their input and direction. A concept paper has been drafted and distributed to various DC government officials as well as members of the city council.

• There is a huge disconnect between community and police, and perhaps even greater between youth and police. This model being developed by ROOT and NOBLE will not only address these issues but issues of police themselves being able to cope in an increasingly dangerous and hostile environment and with their stress related issues. The ultimate goal is to shorten this disconnect as well as address issues and concerns of the individual officers.

• ROOT/DC Idol Handsis a collaboration between ROOT and a 3rd district police officer addressing the issues of ever-increasing incidents of violence taking place between at risk young women.

• ROOT/Hart to Heart is a collaboration at Hart Middle School in SE Washington with school counselor Anne Broglio to work directly with children affected by homicide, violence, and gun violence.

• ROOT has developed a workshop for schools that directly addresses the issues of subliminal messaging.

• ROOT has developed a workshop presentation and has presented at conferences to include NOBLE's annual conference and the Department of Housing.

• Moving Towards Violence Prevention is a six month collaborative effort with the Department of Health, sponsored by the Prevent Institute at the University of North Carolina. This effort has a team consisting of Ava Harrison representing ROOT and members of the DC Department of Health who attended a workshop and are now formulating a model to effectively combat youth homicide.

Suicide Prevention Task Force

• Though not yet a serious issue in the District of Columbia, the prevalence of suicide is increasing alarmingly among black juveniles in other areas. However, suicide ideation is a serious issue in the District. Along with representatives from the police department and DCDOH, ROOT attended a workshop and seminar in Pittsburgh, and now meet with a task force spearheaded by DOH.

Health Information Response Team (HIRT)

• The HIRT is a collaborative effort with government agencies, political leaders, nonprofits, and faith based institutions to specifically address issues related to juvenile issues from a public health perspective.

Victims Assistance Task Force

• Spearheaded by the Office of Victims Services, the office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, the task force is a collaborative effort by the Wendt Center, the Survivors of Homicide, and ROOT to help organize resources, educate, and advocate for homicide co/victims/survivors.

Clergy Response Team

• The Clergy Response Team provides crisis intervention for surviving family members of homicide victims and assists with their other needs.

• ROOT and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) are currently implementing a National Collaborative to reduce gun violence, increased incidents of youth violence, and homicides.