HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10121993 - 2.1 2 . 1
THE BOARD OR SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on _October 12, 1993 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Smith, Bishop, McPeak, Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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SUBJECT: Proposal for a Violence Prevention Action Plan
The Board considered the report and proposed resolution
of the Health Services Director supporting the passage of the
Brady Bill (H.R. 1025/S 414) and the passage of local Measure B.
William Walker, M.D. , Medical Director, spoke on the
costs of health care as a result of violent acts, and recommended
the development of education and prevention programs directed to
young people to make them aware of the danger and their
vulnerability to these acts.
There was discussion on the need to control the
production and distribution of weapons, better communication
between adults and youths on the dangers to themselves and their
peers with carrying various types of assault weapons on their
person, the identification of revenue sources to develop programs
for youth, and the need for the development of a violence
prevention action plan.
Therefore, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the report
of the Health Services Director is ACCEPTED and Resolution 93/608
is ADOPTED with copies of these documents sent to President
Clinton and Vice President Gore.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director
is REQUESTED to develop a violence prevention action plan and to
include identification of revenue sources to fund programs for
youth.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the concept of a violence
prevention action plan is REFERRED to the City/County Relations
Committee for their input.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
cc• Health Services Director an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supero ors on the date shown.
County Administrator
City/County Relations Committee ATTESTED: `' /`2/
PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
fay - ,f Deputy
Contra Costa County
The Board of Supervisors HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Tom Powers, 1 st District
Jeff Smith,2nd District Mark Finucane, Director
Gayle Bishop,3rd District 20 Allen Street
Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District sE Martinez, California 94553-3191
Tom Torlakson,5th District (510)370-5003
County Administrator I. '' ~ FAX(510)370-5098
Phil Batchelor o'er»•: 's
County Administrator •,. oa
couxrt
To: Board ofperv• ors
Fm: Mark Finucane
Re: Impact of Violence on Health Care
Dt: 10/7/93
Like many counties across the country, Contra Costa County clearly
has a problem with rates of violence involving firearms. Deaths
and injuries from firearms cause needless pain and suffering to
local residents, and directly affect our local health care system.
Nonetheless, the extent of the local problem and the attention
being paid firearm violence at the national level represent a
significant opportunity for action to support local and federal
policy initiatives to reduce the incidence of violence.
TRENDS AND COSTS
0 Firearms caused more than 1/3 of all deaths for Contra Costa
County 10-19 year olds from 1988-1990. *
0 During the same time period, firearm injuries were the leading
cause of death for children 10-14 year olds (36%) , and 2nd
leading cause of death for teens 15-19 . *
0 Firearm deaths made up more than 45% of the total number of
African-American childhood injury deaths from 1988-1990,
compared to 21. 7% of white childhood injury deaths. *
* Source: Status Report on Childhood Injury In Contra Costa
County, April, 1992 .
0 A 1992 study of just one local hospital, Brookside, revealed
a total of 125 persons seen at for gunshot wounds for the
year. Total initial charges were $467, 012, of which 66% was
public funds. Source: Joseph Mariotti, M.D. . The average
national per/person cost of hospitalization related to
treating a firearm injury is $33 , 159. Rice, McKenzie, and
Associates: Cost of Injury in the United States: A Report to
Congress.
Merrithew Memorial Hospital&Clinics Public Health • Mental Health • Substance Abuse Environmental Health
Contra Costa Health Plan Emergency Medical Services • Home Health Agency Geriatrics
A-345 (2/93)
NATIONAL ATTENTION
p Violence is receiving national attention at the highest levels
of government as evidenced by President Clinton's speech to
Congress on September 22nd when he unveiled his national
health care proposal.
p Vice President Gore discussed violence as a significant local
and national health issue during his remarks in San Pablo on
September 27th.
• Hillary Rodham Clinton has placed significant emphasis on
preventive health in her leadership of the health task force.
Within the proposed health plan, violence prevention is a key
issue in several ways: 1) Violence is discussed in The Public
Health Initiative as a priority health issue, 2) The plan
provides for training of health care providers in violence
control; and 3) Violence is a priority area for prevention
workplace health; violence is a significant cause of workplace
injury.
LOCAL PREVENTION EFFORTS
p As reported to Mr. Batchelor in my report of August 5, the
Health Department is involved in multiple violence prevention
efforts in partnership with many other sectors of the
community. Most notable are the federally funded violence
PACT for Violence Prevention; consultation by county staff on
the Communities In Peace Project funded by the California
Wellness Foundation; and Firearm Injury Reporting,
Surveillance, and Tracking (FIRST) which is gathering data on
firearm death and injury countywide. These efforts are housed
within the Prevention program.
Our Medical staff are also taking the lead to broaden the
debate about stopping violence. Physicians from Merrithew,
Brookside, John Muir and Kaiser Hospitals made a joint
presentation to the Richmond City Council a few weeks ago
about what they see on the front lines in the emergency rooms
and clinics. They talked about the proliferation of guns and
the need for domestic disarmament. Dr. Brunner was also the
keynote speaker at a meeting with the City of Antioch and the
Antioch schools to discuss what communities can do through
youth training and recreation programs to stem the growing
violence. We also participated in a public forum at Brookside
Hospital
Domestic violence is one aspect of violence that often goes
unreported and overlooked. To help our providers learn more
about recognizing potential domestic violence, we are working
with the Battered Women's Alternative to set up trainings for
providers in all parts of the Department on this very serious
problem.
The full report on violence prevention efforts is attached.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
p Support the "Brady Bill" : H.R. 1025/S. 414 which would require
a five day waiting period and a background check prior to the
purchase of a hand gun. The Brady Bill has been stalled in
Congress despite polls indicating overwhelming support and
impressive array of endorsers from law enforcement, medical
and social organizations (attached) . California's fifteen day
waiting period requirement has resulted in stopping 5,859
prohibited firearms sales in 1991 and 5, 763 during 1992 .
Additional support for the passage of the Brady Bill from
localities is now critical to get Congress to pass this
legislation.
p Review, and where appropriate support, additional state and
federal legislation. A number of pending federal and state
bills would decrease the vulnerability of the public to
firearm injury and death if passed. They restrict or ban
importation, possession or transfer of assault weapons; large
capacity magazines; track firearm fatalities; require the
destruction of confiscated firearms by cities and counties;
prohibit spousal abusers from purchasing firearms; require
loaded trigger indicators on semi-automatic pistols; require
gun stores to improve security systems to prevent the theft of
firearms; to require persons bringing handguns into California
to register them with a licensed dealer and to submit to the
15-day waiting period. A detailed list is attached.
p Support Contra Costa County's "Measure B: which sends the
message to the California State Legislature that the people of
this county support a complete statewide ban on the entire
class of assault weapons.
Background: Subsequent to the Stockton school yard massacre
several years ago, the State of California passed legislation
that banned specific brands and models of assault weapons.
The focus on specific brands and models, as opposed to all
assault weapons, was a result of NRA and their supporters'
influence on the state Legislature to dilute the assault
weapon ban.
The reaction of the firearms industry has been to make minor
physical changes and/or to change the names on these weapons,
thereby making the law inapplicable to their products. The
massacre in the law offices at 101 California Street in San
Francisco was done with legal assault weapons that were
modified to evade the California law.
f '
Contra Costa County
i The Board of Supervisors HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Tom Powers,1st District
Jeff Smith,2nd District Mark Finucane, Director
Gayle Bishop,3rd District 20 Allen Street
Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District �F Martinez,California 94553-3191
Tom Torlakson,5th District �``=` t (510)370-5003
FAX(510)370-5098
County Administrator 1
Phil Batchelor =` a
County Administrator
August 5, 1993
TO:
t
PR: a
RB: Health Department Violence Prevention Activities
As requested, I have asked staff for a summary of violence prevention efforts involving the
Health Services Department. We have been addressing this issue for more than ten years, and
tecently, it has become an even more urgent and painful concern for us. I am pleased to report
significant activity at several levels of the Health Services Department. In addition to the efforts
listed below,I have been meeting with mayors and members of the County Board of Supervisors
to further develop policies and programmatic approaches,
GRANT FUNDING FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION
1. The Health Services Department is the recipient of two federally-funded violence
prevention demonstration grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. The Office of Minority Health (OMH) funding totals $750,000 over a three-
year period(5/1/91 to 4/30/94)and the Maternal and Child Health(MCH)funding comes
via the state and totals $750,000 over a five-year period (10/1/90 to 9/30/95). The
population targeted by these grants is at-risk, multi-cultural youth in the Greater
Richmond area.
These grants fund the PACT Violence Prevention Project which operates in the West
County communities of Richmond, San Pablo, and North Richmond. The project is
administered, coordinated, and evaluated by the Prevention Program. The PACT
coalition consists of community agencies, the West County Unified School District, and
city and county government officials. Direct services are provided through contracts with
nine West County agencies.
A central component of PACT is the Violence Prevention Leadership Training which
teaches young people from seven violent neighborhoods about the origins of violence and
how to become local prevention advocates. Other activities such as community forums
Merrithew Memorial Hospital&Cynics Public Health • Mental Health • Substance Abuse Environmental Health
Contra Costa Health Plan Emergency Medical Services • Home Health Agency Geriatrics
A-345 (2/93)
and conferences, parent and youth councils, cultural and recreational events are designed
to reach broad sectors of the community. The goal is to shift the attention of community
institutions to more collaborative and effective violence prevention. PACT also is
conducting research to better understand the parameters of local regulation of guns,
ammunition, and gun dealers.
Two planned events include a Candidates Forum on Violence in October for individuals
running for elective office in Richmond, San Pablo, and the West Contra Costa Unified
School Hoard, and a "Stop the Violence Week" which is planned for Spring 1994.
2. The California Wellness Foundation recently funded another Richmond area violence
prevention effort called Communities in Peace. The grant allocates $75,000 for the
Initial planning year and $175,0001yr. (potentially) for four subsequent years. This is
a collaborative effort among four culturally diverse agencies to create a (fang Unity
Council and to develop legitimate business enterprises employing former gang members.
The lead agency on the project is North Richmond Neighborhood House. . The Health
Services Department provided assistance in the application process and plans to
participate during the implementation.
3. The Prevention Program and ]emergency Medical Services are collaborating on a one-
year Firearm Injury Reporting, Surveillance,and Tracking(FIRST)system to gather data
on firearm injuries that result in death or hospitalization. This project began on July 1,
1993 with a grant from the State Emergency Medical Services Authority (SMSA).
Staffing is provided by the Prevention Program with oversight provided by the Childhood
Injury Prevention Coalition.
Firearms were found to be the leading cause of death for Contra Costa children between
the ages of 10 and 14 in a report issued by the Childhood Injury Prevention Coalition
(The 1992 Status Report on Childhood Injury in Contra Costa County). For each firearm
fatality, it is estimate there are at least five nonfatal injuries. The greatest number of
firearm deaths is among adolescents 15 - 19, with African American males most at risk
for such injuries. Data collected using FIRST will give the county information about the
circumstances, victims,perpetrators, and weapons involved in these deaths and injuries.
This information will be extremely useful in focusing both pn gram and policy efforts.
O'i'HER SERVICE RELATED PROJECTS
4. The Department maintains open contracts with Battered Women's Alternatives, Rape
Crisis Center, and Crisis and Suicide Intervention Services for services related to
battering, rape, suicide and grief.
S. The Health Services Department helped to initiate and continues to participate on The
United Way's Workplace and Media Task Forces, both of which focus on violence and
substance abuse prevention. Current representatives include: Amalia Gonzalez del
Valle,Substance Abuse Division; several regional CSAP chairpersons; and Nancy Baer,
Project Coordinator for the PACT Project. The Workplace Project conducts brown-bag
seminars for parents within CCC workplaces, and the Media Project has funded youth
media projects in four of the five supervisorial districts. They have created video public
service announcements and billboards with anti-violence and substance abuse prevention
messages. .
b. The TeenAge Program (TAP) provides Health Faa'litators at high-school campuses:
throughout the county. They conduct a variety of health-mlated presentations and over
the past few years requests for presentations on violence topics have increased
dramatically. TAP Health Facilitators conduct or arrange for presentations by
community representatives with expertise on fighting,suicide,acquaintance rape,conflict
nsolution, and related issues.
7. The Mental Health Division has played an active role in several violence prevention
activities. After a series of shootings near Richmond High School in 1991 several
Mental Health staff conducted de-briefing sessions with the entire Richmond High School
student body. Larry Hanover, Youth Interagency Assessment and Consultation Team
(YIACT) Director, initiated a series of meetings with Health Services Department and
Probation staff to network and develop strategies for dealing with youth violence In
county institutions. Currently, the Children's Mental Health unit in West County is
initiating a small grant-funded project in Richmond's Coronado Elementary School to
thin teachers to work with students who suffer debilitating grief as a result of intense
and ongoing exposure to violence.
MAINTAB41NG LINKS TO DEVELOPING EFFORTS
8. Mary Foran, Director of the Office for Service Integration, represents the Health
Services Department on the West County Elected Officials Health Committee. Recently
this group has expressed an interest in focusing more on violence,and Mary is arranging
for some upcoming information/study sessions.
9. Nancy Baer represents the Health Services Department on the Mt. Diablo Unified School
District Safety Task Force which was initiated in 1992 to assess violence in the district
and develop recommendations for prevention. Kathy Armstrong attended some of the
initial meetings and then passed the assignment on to the Prevention Program.
10. Efforts in Feast County are coordinated by Delta 2000 and other community problem-
solving groups such as the Antioch Violence Task Force. The Prevention Program
maintains links to East County efforts and was contacted recently by Delta 2000 to
consult on an upcoming grant application.
11. The Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board (PEHAB) has had a consistent
ongoing inWxW in violence as a public health issue. In 1992, PEHAB produced an
3
v .a
extensive report on health priorities in Contra Costa County which included an overview
of violence and suggested promising public health approaches. This year, PEHAB
Executive Assistant Mary Anne Morgan has coordinated follow-up forums and focus
groups in three regions of the county to elicit community feedback about health needs.
Violence is emerging consistently as a priority issue for many community members.
MULTWURISDICTIONAL(EFFORTS
12. In an effort to broaden interest and expertise in violence prevention, Larry Cohen, the
Prevention Program's Director, developed and taught a violence prevention class in
Spring 1993 at the University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health,one of
the first such courses in the U.S. Beginning in 1994, the class will become a permanent
part of the curriculum and a continuing education course for service providers will be
offered through UC Extension.
13. As required by current grants, dissemination is an integral part of the county's violence
prevention work. The Prevention Program has created an extensive slide library,
produced a 15 minute"Highlights of the Teen Speak Out Against Violence- 1990"video
tape, and published numerous papers on related topics. Among published articles is a
summary of the Program's presentation at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s
'Forum on Youth Violence in Minority Communities,` published in Public Health
$=g. Another paper, `Alcohol, Other Drugs and Violence' is also being considered
for publication by this journal.
14. The Prevention Program has been showcased as a model at conferences such as the
National Gmntmakers first conference on violence prevention and at the Surgeon
General's Child Health Day conference. Currently staff are assisting on three upcoming
conferences in the Bay Area: the Children's Advocate's statewide conference on violence
and young children, the International Healthy Cities Conference, and the Annual
American Public Health Association meeting.
15. The Prevention Program maintains links to several professional organizations and
national offices working on violence and violence prevention. The PACT Project is a
member of the National Network of Violence Prevention Practitioners, sponsored by the
Carnegie Foundation. Larry Cohen serves on the Violence Subcommittee of the
California Department of Health Services, State Injury Prevention Task Fora. He was
influential in establishing the California Wellness Foundation's focus on violence
prevention which resulted in$28 million of funding for violence prevention in California.
4
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ENDORSED
A NATIONAL HANDGUN WAITING PERIOD
AFL-CIO
A.F.S.C.M.E.
jAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church
i Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union
I American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Association of Retired Persons(AARP)
American Bar Association(ABA)
American College of Emergency Physicians
American Federation of Teachers(AFT)
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
American Medical Association(AMA)
American Medical Student Association
American Nurses Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Public Health Association
Americans for Democratic Action(ADA)
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith
i B'nai B'rith International
B'nai B'rith Women
Children's Defense Fund
Emergency Nurses Association
Episcopal Church,Washington Office
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
Fraternal Order of Police(FOP)
General Federation of Women's Clubs
International Association of Chiefs of Police(IACD)
International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
League of Women Voters
Major Cities Chief Administrators
1 Mennonite Central Committee,Washington Office
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP)
i National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, Inc.
National Association of Counties
iNational Association of Police Organizations(NAPO)
National Congress of Parents and Teachers
National Council of Jewish Women
National Criminal Justice Association
National Education Association(NEA)
National League of Cities
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives(NOBLE)
National Rainbow Coalition, Inc.
National Sheriffs' Association
j National Troopers Coalition
National Urban League
Police Executive Research Forum(PERF)
Police Foundation
jSouthern Christian Leadership Conference(SCLC)
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Union of American Hebrew Congregations,Religious Action Center
Unitarian Universalist Association, Washington Office
United Church of Christ, Office for Church in Society
United Methodist Church,the General Board of Church and Society
United States Catholic Conference
Woman's National Democratic Club
I
i
i
Handgun Control Inc., 1225 Eye Street, NW. Suite 1100, Washington. DC 20005• (202) 898-0792
a . �
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
In the Matter of the Impact of )
Violence on Health Care ) RESOLUTION NO 93/608
WHEREAS, loss of life from violence related to firearms is a significant problem in Contra
Costa County and is preventable; specifically, firearm injuries were the leading cause of death for
Contra Costa County 10-14 year olds (36%) from 1988-1990; and
WHEREAS, treating victims of violence result in significant costs to the local health care
system. 125 persons were seen at Brookside Hospital for gunshot wounds last year with initial
charges of $467,012, of which 66% were public funds; and
WHEREAS, national attention is being focused on the problem of violence through the
proposed health care plan and in recent remarks by the President and Vice President; and
WHEREAS, the Brady Bill would establish a national 5-day waiting period and background
check prior to the purchase of a handgun; and
WHEREAS, local Measure B would encourage the state legislature to ban all assault
weapons in California; and
WHEREAS, these measures would help prevent violence related to firearms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Contra Costa, California hereby proclaim their support for passage of the Brady Bill, H.R. 1025/S
414; and
THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that this same body hereby proclaim its support
for passage of local Measure B.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an
action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTEST: October 12, 1993
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By Deputy
cc: Health Services, Director
President Clinton
Vice President Gore
Contra Costa County
The Board of Supervisors HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Tom Powers. 1st District Mark Finucane. Director
Jeff Smith,2nd District
Gayle Bishop,3rd District 20 Allen Street
Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District enMartinez,California 94553-3191
Tom Torlakson,5th District `:`° =?_.• (510)370-5003
FAX (510)370-5098
County Administrator
Phil Batchelor C�
County Administrator 9+
To: Board ofpery ors
Fm: Mark Fin�ho
ucane
Re: Impact of Violence on Health Care
Dt: 10/7/93
Like many counties across the country, Contra Costa County clearly
has a problem with rates of violence involving firearms. Deaths
and injuries from firearms cause needless pain and suffering to
local residents, and directly affect our local health care system.
Nonetheless, the extent of the local problem and the attention
being paid firearm violence at the national level represent a
significant opportunity for action to support local and federal
policy initiatives to reduce the incidence of violence.
TRENDS AND COSTS
• Firearms caused more than 1/3 of all deaths for Contra Costa
County 10-19 year olds from 1988-1990. *
• During the same time period, firearm injuries were the leading
cause of death for children 10-14 year olds (36%) , and 2nd
leading cause of death for teens 15-19 . *
• Firearm deaths made up more than 45% of the total number of
African-American childhood injury deaths from 1988-1990,
compared to 21.7% of white childhood injury deaths. *
It Source: Status Report on Childhood Injury In Contra Costa
County, April, 1992 .
O A 1992 study of just one local hospital, Brookside, revealed
a total of 125 persons seen at for gunshot wounds for the
year. Total initial charges were $467, 012, of which 66% was
public funds. Source: Joseph Mariotti, M.D. . The average
national per/person cost of hospitalization related to
treating a firearm injury is $33 , 159. Rice, McKenzie, and
Associates: Cost of Injury in the United States: A Report to
Congress.
Merrithew Memorial Hospital 8 Clinics Public Health • Mental Health • Substance Abuse Environmental Health
Contra Costa Health Plan Emergency Medical Services • Home Health Agency Geriatrics
A-345 (2/93)
NATIONAL ATTENTION
p Violence is receiving national attention at the highest levels
of government as evidenced by President Clinton's speech to
Congress on September 22nd when he unveiled his national
health care proposal.
p Vice President Gore discussed violence as a significant local
and national health issue during his remarks in San Pablo on
September 27th.
p Hillary Rodham Clinton has placed significant emphasis on
preventive health in her leadership of the health task force.
Within the proposed health plan, violence prevention is a key
issue in several ways: 1) Violence is discussed in The Public
Health Initiative as a priority health issue, 2) The plan
provides for training of health care providers in violence
control; and 3) Violence is a priority area for prevention
workplace health; violence is a significant cause of workplace
injury.
LOCAL PREVENTION EFFORTS
p As reported to Mr. Batchelor in my report of August 5, the
Health Department is involved in multiple violence prevention
efforts in partnership with many other sectors of the
community. Most notable are the federally funded violence
PACT for Violence Prevention; consultation by county staff on
the Communities In Peace Project funded by the California
Wellness Foundation; and Firearm Injury Reporting,
Surveillance, and Tracking (FIRST) which is gathering data on
firearm death and injury countywide. These efforts are housed
within the Prevention program.
Our Medical staff are also taking the lead to broaden the
debate about stopping violence. Physicians from Merrithew,
Brookside, John Muir and Kaiser Hospitals made a joint
presentation to the Richmond City Council a few weeks ago
about what they see on the front lines in the emergency rooms
and clinics. They talked about the proliferation of guns and
the need for domestic disarmament. Dr. Brunner was also the
keynote speaker at a meeting with the City of Antioch and the
Antioch schools to discuss what communities can do through
youth training and recreation programs to stem the growing
violence. We also participated in a public forum at Brookside
Hospital
Domestic violence is one aspect of violence that often goes
unreported and overlooked. To help our providers learn more
about recognizing potential domestic violence, we are working
with the Battered Women's Alternative to set up trainings for
providers in all parts of the Department on this very serious
problem.
C ,
� The full report on violence prevention efforts is attached.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
13 Support the "Brady Bill" : H.R. 1025/S. 414 which would require
a five day waiting period and a background check prior to the
purchase of a hand gun. The Brady Bill has been stalled in
Congress despite polls indicating overwhelming support and
impressive array of endorsers from law enforcement, medical
and social organizations (attached) . California's fifteen day
waiting period requirement has resulted in stopping 5,859
prohibited firearms sales in 1991 and 5,763 during 1992.
Additional support for the passage of the Brady Bill from
localities is now critical to get Congress to pass this
legislation.
0 Review, and where appropriate support, additional state and
federal legislation. A number of pending federal and state
bills would decrease the vulnerability of the public to
firearm injury and death if passed. They restrict or ban
importation, possession or transfer of assault weapons; large
capacity magazines; track firearm fatalities; require the
destruction of confiscated firearms by cities and counties;
prohibit spousal abusers from purchasing firearms; require
loaded trigger indicators on semi-automatic pistols; require
gun stores to improve security systems to prevent the theft of
firearms; to require persons bringing handguns into California
to register them with a licensed dealer and to submit to the
15-day waiting period. A detailed list is attached.
a Support Contra Costa County's "Measure B: which sends the
message to the California State Legislature that the people of
this county support a complete statewide ban on the entire
class of assault weapons.
Background: Subsequent to the Stockton school yard massacre
several years ago, the State of California passed legislation
that banned specific brands and models of assault weapons.
The focus on specific brands and models, as opposed to all
assault weapons, was a result of NRA and their supporters'
influence on the state Legislature to dilute the assault
weapon ban.
The reaction of the firearms industry has been to make minor
physical changes and/or to change the names on these weapons,
thereby making the law inapplicable to their products. The
massacre in the law offices at 101 California Street in San
Francisco was done with legal assault weapons that were
modified to evade the California law.
Contra Costa County
The Board of Supervisors HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
1
Tom Powers,1st District
Jeff smith,2nd District Mark Finueane, Director
Gayle Bishop,3rd District 20 Allen Street
Sunne Wright MCPsak,4th District Martinez,California 94553-3191
Tom Torlskson,5th District (510)370-5003
County Administrator FAX(510)370-5098
'7
Phil Batchelor
: Q
County Administrator
Aulgutt So 1993
T0: H
.ti.. J...
R8: Health Department Viodenoe Preventloa Activities
As requested, 1 have asked staff for a summary of violence prevention efforts involving the
Health Swiss Department. We have been addressing this issue for more than tea years, and
recently, it has become an evea more urgent and painful concern for us. I am pleased to report
sdgnifiMt activity at several levels of the Health Services Department. In addition to the efforts
listed below,I have bon meeting with mayors and members of the County Board of 5upervi'ors
to further develop policies and programmatic approaches.
GRANT FUNDING FOR VIOLXNCE PREVVMON
I. The Health Services Department is the recipient of two federally-funded violence
pravention demonstration grunts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. The Office of Minority Health (O1V1H) funding totals $750,000 over a three-
you period(511/91 to 4/30/94)and the Maternal and Child Health(MCH)funding comes
via the state and totals =750,000 over a five-year period (10/1/90 to 9/30/95)1 The
population targeted by these grants is at-risk, multi-cultrQal youth in the Greater
Richmond area.
These grants fund the PACT Violence Prevention Project which operates in the West
County communities of Richmond, San Pablo, and North Richmond. The project is
administered, coordinated, and evaluated by the Prevention Program. The PACT
coalition consists of community agencies, the West County Unified Sdroo1 District, and
city and county government officials. Direct sservices are provided through contracts with
arsine West County agencies.
A central component of PACT is the Violence Prevention Leadership Training which
teaches young people from seven violent neighborhoods about the origins of violence and
how to become local prwwtion advocates. Other activities such as community forums
MemRlew Memorial Hospital&Cltrncs Pubhc Health • Mentai Heatth • Substance Abuse Enwonmenal Health
Contra Cosa Hearth Plan Emergency Medical Services • Nome Health Agency Genatncs
A-345 (2193)
e
and oonfe+am, parent and youth councils, cultural and recreational events are designed
so reach broad sectors of the community. The goal is to shift the attention of community
institutions to more oollaborative and effective violence prevention. PACT also is
oonduc dng research to better understand the parameters of local regulation of guns,
ammunition, and gun dealers.
Two planned events include a Candidates Forum on Vida=in October for individuals
runft for elective office in Richmond, San Pablo, and the West Contra Costa Unified
School Board, and a 'Stop the Violence Week' which is planned for Spring 1994.
2. The California Wellness Foundation recently fttnded another Richmond area violence
prevention effort called Communities in Peaoe. The grant allocates $75,000 for the
initial planning year and $175,000/yr. (potentially) for four subsequent years. This is
a collaborative effort among four culturally diverse agencies to create a Gang Unity
Council and to develop legitimate business enterprises employing former gang members.
The lead agency on the project is North Richmond Neighborhood House. The Health
- Services Department provided assistance in the application process and plans, to _
participate during the implementation.
3. The Prevention Program and Emergency Medial Services are collaborating on a ona-
year Firearm Injury Reporting,Surveillance,and Tracking(FIRST)system to gather data
on firearm injuries that result in death or hospitalization. This project began on July 1,
1993 with a grant from the State Emergency Medical Services Authority (SMSA).
Staffing is provided by the Prevention Program with oversight provided by the Childhood
Injury Prevention Coalition,
Firearms were1bund to be the leading cause of death for Contra Costa children between
the ages of 10 and 14 in a report issued by the Childhood Injury Prevention Coalition
(Ile 1992 Status Report on Childhood Injury in Contra Costa County). For each firearm
fatality, it is estimated there are at least five nonfatal injuries. The greatest number of
Arearm deaths is among adolescents 15 - 19, with African American males most at risk
for such injuries. Data collected using FIRST will give the county information about the
circumstances, victims,perpetrators, and weapons involved in these deaths and injuries.
This information will be extremely useful in focusing both program and policy efforts.
OTHFJt SERVICE RELATED PROJECTS
4. The Department maintains open contracts with Battered Women's Alternatives, Rape
Crisis Center, and Crisis and Suicide Intervention Services for swviees related to
battering, rape, suicide and grief.
S. The Health Services Department helped to initiate and continues to participate on The
United Way's Workplace and Media Task Foran, both of which focus on violence and
substance abuse prevention. Current representatives include: Amalia Gonzalez del
Valle,Substance Abuse Division; several regional CSAP chairpersons; and Nancy Baer,
-
Project Coordinator for the PACT Project. The Workplace Project conducts brown-bag
saninars tvr parents within CCC workplaces, and the Media Project has funded youth
media projects in four of the five supervisorial districts. They have ert:sated video public
service aanouneements and billboards with anti-violence and substance abuse prevention
atiessages.
6. The TeenAge Program (TAP) provides Health Fades M at high-school tsimpusGs
throughout the county. They conduct a variety of health-related presentations and over
the past few yeah requests for pneentations on violence topics dove increased
dramatically. TAP Health Facilitators conduct or arrange for presentations by
community regr+esentatives with crpemw on fighting,suicide,acquaintance rrtpe,conflict
reeolution, and related issues.
7. The Mental Health Division has played an active role in several violence p wattion
activities. After a series of shootings am Richmond High School in 1991 several
Mental Health staff conducted de-briefimg sessions with the entire Richmond High School
-student body. Larry Hanover. Youth Interagency Assessment and Consultation Team
(YiACT) Director, initiated a series of meetings with Health Services Department and
Probation staff to network and develop strategies for dealing with youth violence in
county institutions. Currently, the Children's Mental Health unit in West County is
Initiating a small grant-funded project in Richmond's Coronado Elementary School to
train teachers to work with students who suffer debilitating grief as a result of inocrosc
and ongoing exposure to violence.
MAMAV41NG LINKS TO DEVELOPING EFFORTS
S. Mary Foran, Director of the Office for Service Integration, represents the Health
Services Department on the West County Elected Officials Health Committee. Recently
this group has expressed an interest in focusing more on violence,and Mary is==&in&
for some upcoming information/study sessions.
9. Nancy Baer represents the Health Services Department on the Mt. Diablo Unified School
District Safety Task Force which was initiated in 1992 to assess violence in the district
and develop recommendations for prevention. Kathy Armstrong attended some of the
initial meetings and then passed the assignment on to the Prevention Program.
10. Efforts in East County am coordinated by Delta 2000 and other community problem-
solving groups such as the Antioch Violence Trine Forme. The Plrverntion Program
maintains links to East County efforts and was contacted roeattly by Delta 2000 to
consult on an upcoming grant application.
11. The Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board (PEHAB) has had a consistent
ongoing interest in violence as a public health issue. In 1992, PEHAB produced an
3
extensive report on health priorities in Contra Costa County which included an overview
of violence and suggested promising public health approaches. This year, PEHAB
Executive Assistant Mary Anne Morgan has coordinated follow-up forums and focus
groups in three regions of the county to elicit community feedback about health needs.
Violence is emerging consistently as a priority issue for ssany community members.
MULT14URISDIC71ONAL EFFORTS
12. In an effort to broaden interest and expertise in viclence prevention, Larry Coben, the
Prevention Program's Director, developed and taught a violence pr vendor class in
Spring 1993 at the University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health,one of
the first such courses in the U.S. Beginning in 1994,the class will become a permanent
part of the curriculum and a continuing education course for service providers Will be
offered through UC Extension.
13. As required by current grants, dissemination is an integral part of the county's violence
Prevention work. The Prevention Program has created an exte sive slide library,
produced a 15 minute'Highlights of the Teen Speak Out Against Violence- 1990"video
OW, and published numerous papers on related topics. Among published articles is a
summary of the Program's presahtation at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s
'Forum on Youth Violence in Minority Communities,' published in Public Health
1=9s. Another paper, 'Alcohol, Other Drugs and Violence" is also being considered
for publication by this journal.
14. The Prevention Program has been showcased as a model at conferences such as the
National Ciwtmakers first eonferenoe on violence prevention and at the Surgeon
General's Child Health Day conference. Currently staff are assisting on three upcoming
conferences in the Bay Area: the Children's Advocate's statewide conference on violence
and young children, the international Healthy Cities Conference, and the Annual
American Public Health Assaaation meeting.
IS. The Prevention Program maintains links to several professional organizations and
national offices working on violence and violence prevention. The PACT Project is a
member of the National Network of Violence Prevention Practitioners, sponsored by the
Carnegie Foundation. Lang Cohen serves on the Violence Subcommittee of the
California Department of Health Services, State Injury Prevention Task Force. He was
influential in establishing the California Wellness Foundation's focus on violence
prevention which resulted in S28 million of funding for violence prevention in California.
4
T
' ORGANIZA77ONS THAT HAVE ENDORSED
A NATIONAL HANDGUN WAITING PERIOD
AFL-CIO
A.F.S.C.M.E.
J� Ahican Methodist Episcopal Church
I
AmalgamatedAmerican Academy of
Pees Union
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Association of Retired Persons(AARP)
American Bar Association(ABA)
American College of Emergency Physicians
American Federation of Teachers(AFT)
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
American Medical Association(AMA)
American Medical Student Association
American Nurses Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Public Health Association
`• Americans for Democratic Action(ADA)
And-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith
I B'nai B'rith International
B'nai B'rith Women
Children's Defense Fund
Emergency Nurses Association
Episcopal Church,Washington Office
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
Fraternal Order of Police(FOP)
General Federation of Women's Clubs
International Association of Chiefs of Police(IACP)
International Brotherhood of Police Officers (®PO)
International Ladies'Garment Workers'Union
League of Women Voters
Major Cities Chief Administrators
Mennonite Central Committee,Washington Office
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP)
National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, Inc.
National Association of Counties
National Association of Police Organizations(NAPO)
National Congress of Parents and Teachers
National Council of Jewish Women
1 National Criminal Justice Association
National Education Association(NEA)
National League of Cities
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives(NOBLE)
National Rainbow Coalition, Inc.
National Sheriffs' Association
i National Troopers Coalition
1 National Urban League
' Police Executive Research Form(PERF)
Police Foundation
Southern Christian Leadership Conference(SCLC)
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Union of American Hebrew Congregations,Religious Action Center
Unitarian Universalist Association, Washington Office
United Church of Christ, Office for Church in Society
United Methodist Church,the General Board of Church and Society
United States Catholic Conference
Woman's National Democratic Club
I
Handgun Control Inc., 1225 Eye Street, NW. Suite 1100,Washington. DC 20005• (202) 898-0792