The Partnership for Violence Free Families was created in 2001 through a grant from the Anthem Foundation of Ohio, and has identified four key areas of focus: child sexual assault, child abuse by parents, bullying in schools, and domestic violence.
PVFF is made up of individuals representing over 40 organizations in Allen County that plan, organize, implement, and evaluate its activities. This wide representation eliminates redundancy, coordinates activities, shares resources, and unifies voices to promote a violence free community.
The mission statement for PVFF is “Reducing violence in Allen County”. PVFF accomplishes this mission by initiating community awareness, providing public education, providing training to professionals, and bringing best practice programs to the Allen County area. Evidence based programs selected to reduce violence in each of the focus areas:
- ACT/Raising Safe Kids Parenting Program: Aimed at reducing child abuse by parents, this program was developed by the American Psychological Association and focuses on educating parents and other adults raising young children to create early environments that protect children from violence.
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: This school-wide approach uses a variety of media including videos, posters, and parent materials, as well as scripted classroom materials to decrease bullying behaviors.
- Safe Dates Program: This program helps teens recognize the difference between caring, supportive relationships and controlling, manipulative, or abusive relationships and is designated as a Model Program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Talking about Touching Program: This personal safety program addresses the issue of child sexual assault through education of children from pre-K through third grade. This rules based program teaches children basic rules and skills for protective action in a variety of dangerous situations.
