Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Office of Violence Prevention created?
In recognition that violence is a public health issue—with deep roots in structural inequities that have long undermined the well-being of our most vulnerable residents—the Alameda County Public Health Department established its Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) to investigate, understand, and address violence that touches the lives of Alameda County residents.
Launched in 2023, OVP relies on local, state, and federal funding to support its initiatives. The primary source of investment is American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to support program establishment.
What types of violence does the Office of Violence Prevention focus on?
The Office of Violence Prevention focuses on four different types of violence, which were identified as priority areas in Alameda County’s Community Health Needs Assessment.
These types of voiolence include:
- Gun violence
- Hate-motivated violence
- Intimate Partner violence
- Youth and Young Adult suicide
Do you offer direct services to individuals or families?
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) does not presently offer direct services to individuals and families; however, we partner with several community violence intervention programs that can offer support.
Please visit the Our Work page for more information about those programs or contact us at PublicHealthOVP@acgov.org.
How can my organization collaborate with the Office of Violence Prevention?
OVP is always looking to collaborate and build stronger connections with community organizations in Alameda County. We’ll share opportunities to collaborate, including community events and future funding announcements through email and other outreach. To stay informed about these and other opportunities, please reach out to us at PublicHealthOVP@acgov.org.
Where can I find data or reports on violence in the county?
Please visit Data & Reports for access to the archive of past and present reports on violence in the county released by the Alameda County Public Health Department. If you would like to request specific data on violence, please fill out the Data Request Form.
For broader data on health and social conditions, please visit Healthy Alameda County, an interactive platform with local, regional, and national data.
Who can I contact if I want to learn more about your work?
If you would like to learn more, please email us at PublicHealthOVP@acgov.org
Operational Definitions
What is violence?
Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power—threatened or actual—against oneself, another person or against a group or community—that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. (Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
What is community violence intervention?
Community violence intervention (CVI) programs focus on individuals most at risk of being a victim of or committing an act of gun violence. CVI provides a public health approach to gun violence prevention, addressing the unique needs of the community where systemic racism, disinvestments, and trauma occur. (Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions)
What is a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP)?
Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are multidisciplinary programs that identify patients at risk of repeat violent injury and link them with hospital- and community-based resources aimed at addressing underlying risk factors for violence. (Source: Health Alliance for Violence Intervention)