Programs

North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center Logo

NC Youth Violence Prevention Center Serves Youth, Families and Communities

Our Mission

The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center pursues its mission to prevent youth violence and aggression, decrease rates of juvenile delinquency, bullying and victimization using evidence-based prevention and interventions to increase the quality of life for children, youth and families.

Our Journey

In 2010, Dr. Paul Smokowski, was awarded a five-year grant by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to establish the country’s first rural Academic Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (NC ACE) in North Carolina.  The location selected to conduct the ACE model was Robeson County. NC-ACE staff conducted a community based participatory research study assessing and tracking over 6,000 school aged youth in Robeson & Columbus Counties for 6 years. Once the foundation was laid from the data collected in Year 1, NC ACE staff provided community driven, evidence-based interventions to the youth and families of Robeson County with the specific aim of reducing youth violence.

Getting Involved in the Community

The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center has been committed to helping adolescents and families in rural counties across North Carolina

Program Contacts for NC Youth Violence Prevention Center

NC-YVPC Programs

Parenting Wisely

Parenting Wisely: Parenting Wisely provides services to families across Robeson County since 2011. The program focuses on increasing parent-child communication and reducing parent-child conflict. Parenting Wisely is delivered in a group setting where parents/guardians watch 9 different video scenarios and discuss them. Surveys from parents/guardians who participated in Parenting Wisely showed an increase in positive parenting skills, improved communication and lower conflict between parent/guardian and youth.

Learn more about Parenting Wisely: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=266

Teen Court

Teen Court adopts a restorative justice approach to repairing the harm that has been done to another person or in the community. Teen Court develops alternative pathways to empower youth, reduce crime and avoid further involvement in the judicial system. Youth are redirected to doing community service. Youth are referred by School Resource Officers and juvenile court counselors to Teen Court where a jury of their peers listen and decide on the sanctions without marginalizing the youth. Parents and juvenile justice professionals praise the program for its impact on the youth it serves. Since 2011, the program has served over 800 youth throughout Robeson County and trained over 300 volunteers.

Learn More about Teen Court: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=267

VICTIM EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (VEEP)

VEEP provides counseling/support services to individuals, families and groups where someone has been victimized or violence has directly or indirectly been experienced. Case management is available to assist with victim compensation paperwork and other needs. VEEP advocates for victim rights, education and empowerment. VEEP also offers Survivor Expression & Empowerment through Interactive Theater (SEE-IT) online rehearsals and performances. Youth volunteers create, rehearse and perform scenes where conflicts are happening between characters. Invited guests join the Zoom room to watch the performance.
Learn More About VEEP: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=268

ROBESON COMMUNITY BASED CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVE (CBCR)

The Community Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Initiative, funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance Programs (BJA), partners the Center with the Lumberton Police Department and the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.  This 4-year initiative establishes a Cross-Sector Crime Reduction Partnership with key agencies in Robeson County, including the Health Department, Rape Crisis Center, UNC Pembroke, Office of the Chief District Court Judge, and the NC Department of Public Safety. 

Learn More About the CBCR Initiative: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=529

ROBESON ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES & RESILIENCE (RACER) INITIATIVE

The Robeson Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience Initiative (RACER), supported by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, provides a comprehensive approach to addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in Robeson County. This initiative raises public awareness by using the most effective messaging, helping residents understand, recognize, and prevent ACEs. RACER establishes a task force designed to map resources, inventory services, and implement a strategic plan for creating a service continuum for prevention & intervention efforts that focus on ACEs and facilitate educational opportunities on the causes of ACEs and their impact. The Center provides local support to city/county leadership on innovative ACE prevention and mitigation.

Learn More About the RACER Initiative: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=536

SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION & EDUCATION in ROBESON COUNTY (SUPER)

The Center works with UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work to implement a substance use prevention project funded by SAMSHA.  The implementation of Substance Use Prevention & Education for Robeson (SUPER) began in January 2020. 

The Center reallocated staff to address the high rates of vaping and tobacco use in middle school youth in Robeson County. A youth Advisory Council has been recruited and the adult Advisory Council is in the process of being recruited.  Both councils will provide oversight of the initiative. An outreach campaign is underway as we disseminate educational materials, infographics, and other materials to generate awareness of the dangers of substance use for youth in Robeson County.

Learn More About SUPER: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=270

JUVENILE JUSTICE REINVESTMENT INITIATIVE (JJRI)

The Center received a notice of award from the NC Governor’s Crime Commission (NC GCC) stating our “Raise the Age” proposal would be funded.  This initiative focuses on the “Raise the Age” legislation in NC which raised the age of a legally defined juvenile from under 16 to under 18 years of age.  Studies show the state juvenile justice system will be greatly impacted by this legislation with a potential 30% to 40% increase in admissions to community-based programs, juvenile court, detention, and youth development centers.

JJRI staff will develop service plans and secure wraparound services to meet the needs of this population to insure successful completion of the project.

Learn More About JJRI: https://nc-yvpc.org/?page_id=549

NC-YVPC Webinar: Learn more about our programs

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