Contact Us

Office of Violence Prevention 1000 S. Fremont Ave.,
A9 East, Unit 61,
Alhambra, CA 91803

Phone: 626.293.2610
Email: ovp@ph.lacounty.gov


For data requests, please email: ovpdata@ph.lacounty.gov

For more information about what data is available for request, click here.PDF Icon

  Overview

The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), housed within the Department of Public Health, works to strengthen coordination, capacity and partnerships to address the root causes of violence, and to advance policies and practices that are grounded in race equity, to prevent all forms of violence and to promote healing across all communities in Los Angeles County. OVP monitors the trends and circumstances of violent deaths affecting Los Angeles County to inform decision makers and program planners about ways to prevent and intervene on violence in the community, at home and in the workplace.

  News & Highlights

American Rescue Plan Act Logo

OVP Distributes Total Allotment of ARPA Funds

OVP has allocated the entire $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that it received in 2022 as part of the County’s COVID-19 plan to support violence prevention, intervention and healing services and programs. A total of 56 grants were distributed to community-based organizations across Los Angeles County dedicated to preventing all forms of violence. OVP partnered with the California Community Foundation (CCF) in awarding the grants.

The ARPA funding represents the largest federal grant to OVP in history. The funds are intended to prevent violence incidents, implement crisis response when violent incidents occur, address factors contributing to gang and gun violence, increase access to trauma-informed care and healing-centered services, and invest in upstream youth programs, youth engagement, and youth leadership opportunities across Los Angeles County.

“We are grateful to the Biden administration for including violence prevention and intervention as a key component of COVID-19 recovery and to the Board of Supervisors for allocating these funds to the Office of Violence Prevention,” said Andrea Welsing, OVP Director.

For more information about ARPA, click here.


Youth Mental Health Summits Icon image

Join us at one of OVP’s 2024 Rise, Reclaim, Restore Youth Mental Health Summits - An exciting day of shared learning, workshops, and activities.

The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), in partnership with the Department of Mental Health and community partners, is excited to host an innovative series of five teen metal health summits. The summits will engage youth in a variety of activities where they will learn mindfulness strategies, how to recognize the signs that they or their friends may need help, and connect with other youth and local resources.

Our nation is in the midst of a crisis in teen mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which analyzed various trends from 2011 to 2021, said that more than 40% of high school students today reported “feeling so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in their regular activities for at least two weeks.” The survey also noted that in 2021, “almost 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the previous year, and nearly 25% made a suicide plan.”

The OVP Rise, Reclaim Restore Youth Mental Health Summits provide a resource to promote youth mental health and wellbeing and are geared toward middle and high school students ages 12 to 18. Through educational workshops and hands-on activities, the summits will empower youth to navigate a clear path to mental health and personal well-being. Summits will take place January through April 2024 at various locations around Los Angeles County. Click here to view Youth Mental Summit flyer.

The program for the day includes three sections: Rise, Reclaim, and Restore.

  • Part I – RISE: The LA County Department of Mental Health will lead youth through the “It’s Real” Curriculum, a program that raises awareness about mental health issues, how to start a conversation about mental health, the importance of self-care, and how to reach out for help.
  • Part II – RECLAIM: LA County Office of Violence Prevention will guide youth through an activity to identify their “pods” or the people at school, home, and their community who can support their mental health and wellbeing. Youth will also set a mental health goal.
  • Part III – RESTORE: Youth will participate in a rotating activity with local mental health organizations and agencies.

Summits will also be held in South Los Angeles, (April 13) and Westside/ San Fernando Valley (April 27). For more information, and to register for any of these summits, please visit our Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/lacyouthsummits. Registration includes submission of emergency contacts and completion of a consent form.


Community members join Dr. Ferrer at the public release of OVP's Gun Violence Prevention Platform

Public Release of OVP’s Gun Violence Prevention Platform

In April 2023, the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention, housed in the Department of Public Health, publicly released the County’s 40-point Gun Violence Prevention Platform. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health, made the announcement at a press conference in front of the County Hall of Administration. “Without sustained, meaningful action on gun violence we are all but conceding the future, and we are noting that it will be no better than our grim present – perhaps worse,” she said.

The Gun Violence Prevention Platform, developed in June 2022 by a Task Force consisting of mental health and health care professionals, public health practitioners, and community partners, identified four priority action areas as critical first steps in making Los Angeles County safe and secure for all: Legislation, Social Connections and Healing, Gun Violence Restraining Orders, and School Safety and Services.

Dr. Ferrer was joined at the podium by David Guizar of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, Kevin Orange, Trauma Prevention Initiative Community Intervention Worker; and Dr. Susan Stone, Senior Medical Director with L.A. Care Health Plan. Both Guizar and Orange lost brothers to gun violence. They spoke movingly about the necessity of providing critical services and coming together as a community in support of peace, security, and healing.

Dr. Stone stated that physicians are became increasingly engaged in the effort to reduce gun violence, including asking patients if they have a gun in the house. “Gun violence is our lane.”

“The Gun Violence Prevention Platform represents one of the most extensive, multi-faceted plans ever put forth by the County to address gun violence,” noted Dr. Ferrer. “It rejects the idea – all too common – that we have no choice but to resign ourselves to this insidious threat to daily life and wellbeing.”

The Task Force is expected to release a progress report around the four priorities this summer. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at 626-293-2610 or ovp@ph.lacounty.gov.

View Gun Violence Prevention PlatformPDF Icon


OVP News

Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention has released a new report, “Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County,” which highlights suicide and suicide attempt data among Los Angeles County youth ages 10-24 between 2016 and 2020. The report includes general demographics, methods most frequently used, and suicide trends during the five-year period. The report also briefly overviews reported suicides and attempts during 2020, with the acknowledgment that there is still much more to understand about this unprecedented time. The report concludes with links to prevention resources that reduce stigma and normalize mental health as an integral component of health and wellbeing.



Click here to view the report.PDF Icon


LA vs Hate Call 211 to Report

LA vs Hate

OVP supports the County’s LA vs. Hate Initiative led by the Human Relations Commission in collaboration with community partners. LA vs Hate is a community-centered creative campaign to encourage and support all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate. If you are the victim, or witness of, a hate incident or hate crime you can report the incident/crime with 211 LA. Your report is confidential and 211 is not affiliated with law enforcement.


Early Implementation Strategic Plan

OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan

After extensive review and input, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) Early Implementation Strategic Plan was adopted by the County Leadership Committee and Community Partnership Council in September 2020.
Read more about OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan here. PDF Icon

The OVP Strategic Plan is a live document and we welcome your ongoing feedback, specifically as it pertains to our priorities, goals, objectives and strategies. Please provide your input by sending an email to ovp@ph.lacounty.gov or email Andrea Welsing, OVP Director, directly at awelsing@ph.lacounty.gov. We hope you will provide your thoughts, comments and recommendations for the Strategic Plan and that you will continue to be part of our violence prevention and healing efforts as we work together to advance strategies to prevent violence and promote healing.


Director's Message

DPH Director's Message on Racism

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, acknowledges that addressing law enforcement violence and racism are core to public health.

Read DPH Director's Message on Racism here.PDF Icon

 
Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
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