Youth Violence & Gang Prevention
Montgomery County
Parent Training Workshop
The Name Game!
Everyone stands up and forms a circle.
Person 1 says his/her first name and
something they like that starts with the first
letter of their first name. For example: My
name is Mary and I like Money.
Person 2 repeats what person 1 said and
adds his/her name and what he/she likes.
Person 3 repeats person 1 & 2 and adds…
Start and end on time.
Turn off cell phones or switch to vibrate.
Participate!
Initiate and share ideas.
Ask questions at any time.
Respect the opinions of others.
What is discussed here, stays here.
Be open to new ideas.
Be here — in body & mind!
Stay focused on the topic.
Introductions and Expectations
Please tell us:
Your name
The ages of your children
What you want to get out of this
workshop or why you are here
Course Overview
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To raise the awareness of course participants regarding gang activity (community) and the warning signs of gang involvement (their children). To present
strategies that will assist parents and community members when they are faced with gang issues. To educate participants regarding available resources and services.
To help parents and community members begin to develop a support network and action plan.
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3
Welcome, Introductions, Opening Activity (Ice Breaker:
Ice-Breaker Activity Ice-Breaker Activity
Getting to Know You), Course Review
Pre-test: How Much Do You Already Know?
Review of Day 1 / Open Discussion Review of Day 2 / Open Discussion
(True/False to measure knowledge coming into course)
History of Gangs & Facts About Gangs Is Your Child at Risk?
Resources: Where Can You Go for Help and Support?
History Profile of a Teen Gang Member
Presentations/panel discussion from Service Providers
What to look for Warning Signs
How big is the problem?
Locations of gangs in Montgomery County
Guest Speaker: Youth or Parent Who Has Had
Q & A with Service Providers
Experience With Gangs
Gang Activity in Your Community
Signs of Gang Activity in Your Community
How to Keep Gangs Out of Your Community
How to Report Gang Activity What Parents Can Do / Where To Go For Help Small Group Activity with Reports Back to Entire Group:
How to Talk to Your Child about Gangs Developing an Action Plan
Guest Speaker: Community Oriented Policing Officer or Strategies to Help Your Child Refuse Gangs (Individual and Group/Community)
State’s Attorney’s Office Prosecutor
Discuss how this group can stay in communication to
serve as a sounding board and support system for these
Discussion: Issues We Have in Common & parents.
The Attraction of Gangs / Consequences for Youth
How to Deal with Them
Course Evaluation
Opening / Closing Activities Presentations Speakers Discussion / Activities
What Do You Know
About Gangs?
Let’s take the Gang Pre-Test!
True or False?
LS E
There is little difference between
FA
the level of violence that today’s
gangs engage in and the level of
violence of gangs of the past.
True or False?
LS E
Gangs generally do not enlist
FA
children under age 12.
True or False?
LS E
Gangs are at work only in large
FA
inner-city areas.
True or False?
TR UE
Gangs give children attention
and status they may not get at
home or elsewhere.
True or False?
LS E
Gangs are most exclusively
FA
composed of Latinos or African
Americans.
True or False?
TR UE
Use of hand signals may be a
sign that a child is in a gang.
True or False?
In an area where there
LS E
are many gangs, parents
FA
can do little to keep
their kids out of gangs.
True or False?
Most gangs are exports from big cities
E
like Los Angeles and Chicago and are
LS
part of a national spread from groups
FA
like the Bloods and the Crips.
Common Myths About Gangs
Gangs are mostly made of boys and
young men, and girls are only part of the
gang as hangers on or to service the
young men.
You can recognize gang members by the
colors they wear or their tattoos.
All gangs are violent and deal drugs.
Common Myths About Gangs
Gangs are highly organized.
Once in a gang, always in a gang.
Youth are pressured by their peers into
joining gangs.
It is life-threatening for a gang member
to leave a gang.
History of Gangs & Facts About Gangs
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
– To understand what we mean by gangs—
the definition.
– To learn about the nature and evolution of
youth gangs in the United States.
– To recognize gang codes, such as hand
signals, graffiti, clothing, etc.
– To understand the scope of the gang
problem in our community.
This section is presented by a member of
the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Keeping Gangs Out of Your Community
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
– Understand what makes a community
at-risk for gang activity
– To know how to report gang activity.
– To identify resources available to
community members.
Gangs in Our Culture
Music and Videos
Internet
Sports
Where Are Gangs Today?
In our communities
In our schools
In our homes
Community Risk Factors
Research shows gang activity is highest in
areas where there is a high percentage of:
– Individuals with low income
– Males without jobs
– Idle teens (no school, no jobs)
– Single parent homes
– Linguistically isolated homes – foreign born
population
Damaging Effects of Graffiti
Creates a perception of crime and fear
among residents
Invites other illegal activities
Property values decrease
Graffiti Removal
REPO RT It
RECOR D It
REMO VE It
Graffiti Removal Resources
GRAB Inc.
– Website: http://www.graffitifree.org/
– Phone: 301-607-4733
Contact local government
THE COMMUNITY
– Community Clean-up Days
– Solicit Paint Donations
Remember…
An organized community is a safe
community!
Act On The Problem: Get Involved!
Send a rejection message to gangs in
your community
Join or form a Neighborhood Watch
Know your neighbors
Organize monthly community clean-ups
Know where your children are at all
times – don’t be afraid to call a parent
and tell them if you see their child
Advocate for more resources for youth
in your community
How To Report Gang Activity
Gang Tip Hotline
240-773-4264
Drug Tip Hotline
240-773-3784
Police Non-Emergency
301-279-8000
All reports are anonymous!
Attraction & Consequences of Gangs
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
– To understand why kids join gangs.
– To hear about the consequences of
gang membership.
What do families provide for
their children ?
Why Kids Join Gangs
Love
Attention
Protection
Older siblings/mentors belong
Financial Benefit
Lack of Knowledge
Why Kids Join Gangs
Fun and Excitement
Feel Accepted and a Part of Group
Identity and Status
Peer Pressure
Intimidation
Violence/Hate/Racism
Girls and Gangs – Why do Girls Join?
Friends
– Peer pressure and desire to make friends
Neighborhood
– Safety/protection and lack of opportunity
Family
– Lack of parental affection and family
conflict
Self
– Gain respect, feeling important, feeling
accepted, builds confidence
Girls and Gangs
Girls are attracted to gangsters
because of the respect they think they
will acquire
Girls also form their own gangs, and
belong to spin-offs of the guys' gangs
Girls are usually “sexed in” to become
members
Video: Skip Party
Reasons Gang Members Get Out
Get a good job
Become a parent
Family responsibilities
Too old
Get married
Pressure from family
School/training
Move away
Pressure from partner
Jail or prison
Pressure from court
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Video: Interview with MS13 Member
Consequences for Youth
Death
Injury
Hospitalization
Dependence on alcohol and drugs
School drop out
Criminal life
Jail
Video: Consequences
Is Your Child At Risk?
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
– To understand the “warning signs” of
gang membership so that parents
can recognize them in their own
children.
– To discuss the profile of the typical
gang member.
Warning Signs of Gang Involvement
Dresses according to a specific dress
code (specific clothing or colors)
Wears clothing or
owns items that
he/she could not
normally afford
Has less and less
interest in school /
skips school
These indicators must be considered together to be deemed meaningful.
Some of these behaviors may just be the usual signs of a teenager.
Warning Signs of Gang Involvement
Sudden poor
grades
Has lost interest
in former friends
and activities
Sudden change
in friends or has new, older friends
identified by nicknames, whom the parent
has never met
Warning Signs of Gang Involvement
Goes to street gang Internet chat sites
or has friends affiliated with gangs on
their myspace Web page
Uses hateful or racist language
Has been the victim of crime or fears
being victimized
These indicators must be considered together to be deemed meaningful.
Some of these behaviors may just be the usual signs of a teenager.
Warning Signs of Gang Involvement
Withdraws from family activities
Desire for excessive privacy
Stays out later than usual
Can’t account for long periods of time
Owns a weapon
Has involvement with
alcohol and drugs
Has had problems
with the police
A Student’s Book Cover
Profile of a Teen Gang Member
The emotional, psychological and social
needs of street gang members are often
unfulfilled
Behavior problems such as violence,
delinquency, truancy
Weak ties to family
Weak ties to school and the community
Low self-worth
Need for glorification
Rejection of standards
These are Behavioral Characteristics
Risk and Protective Factors
“Risk factors” are circumstances that
may increase youths’ likelihood of
engaging in risky behaviors.
“Protective factors” are circumstances
that promote healthy youth behaviors and
decrease the chance that youth will
engage in risky behaviors.
Source: OJJDP
Risk & Protective Factor Categories
Individual
Family
Community
School
Peers
Source: OJJDP
How Would You Address the Risk?
Risk Factor
– Child is getting poor grades
Protective Factors
– Talk to teachers
– Help your child with homework
– Look for after-school programs that
help with academics
How Would You Address the Risk?
Risk Factor
– You don’t know your neighbors
Protective Factors
– Organize a block party
– Go door to door to meet them
How Would You Address the Risk?
Risk Factor
– Your child doesn’t have many
positive adult role models
Protective Factors
– Find a mentor for your child
– Use current events to identify role
models and talk with your child about
them
How Would You Address the Risk?
Risk Factor
– Your child knows gang members
Protective Factors
– Teach your child healthy decision-
making skills
– Help your child become interested in
positive activities to keep them busy
How Would You Address the Risk?
Risk Factor
– Your child has low self-esteem and a
desire for companionship
Protective Factors
– Talk with your child’s school
counselor
– Tell your child how proud you are of
him/her and how special they are
What would you do?
Discuss the scenario as a group
and identify the risk factors.
Then, list the things you could
do to address the risks
(protective factors).
What Parents Can Do
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
– To discuss how parents can talk to
their children about gangs.
– To identify strategies parents can use
to help their children refuse gangs.
What Parents Can Do
Talk to your child before there is a
problem. Emphasize that:
– You disapprove of gangs
– You don't want to see them hurt or
arrested
– There are alternatives to gang activity
– Your child is special and worth
protecting
– Family members don't keep secrets
from each other
What Parents Can Do
Listen to your child
Know what your child is doing and who
they are doing it with—show that your
are interested
Form a support network—talk with
other parents about gang prevention
Take advantage of
“teachable moments”
for discussion
What Parents Can Do
Emphasize the importance of
education and help your child do well in
school
Monitor your child’s attendance at
school and do everything possible to
keep your child from
dropping out
Talk about the future—
graduation & college—
You Can Do It!
What Parents Can Do
Know your child’s
teachers
Get your child involved
in after school activities
Make sure your child knows that you
are involved in his/her school
Stay involved through middle school
and high school
What Parents Can Do
Identify positive role models and
heroes; especially in your own
community
Encourage involvement
in positive group
activities (sports, arts,
music, etc.)
What Parents Can Do
Be clear about rules and enforce
them, set limits
Build your family relationship at
family dinners or family meetings
Do things together as
a family and talk
What Parents Can Do
CHILD NOT INVOLVED CHILD SUSPECTED OF KNOW CHILD
(PREVENTION) INVOLVEMENT IS INVOLVED
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Group 1
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Group 2 Will Address in Next Session
HIGH
SCHOOL Group 3
What Parents Can Do
CHILD NOT INVOLVED CHILD SUSPECTED OF KNOW CHILD
(PREVENTION) INVOLVEMENT IS INVOLVED
Talk about news/community
Communicate Sports or other structured
Find activities to occupy time activities
ELEMENTARY
that are fun & positive Increased supervision
SCHOOL Limit computer access Monitor behavior, attitudes,
Get to know friends and their clothing closely
parents
Drug/alcohol test
Get to know friends/their
Look for professional help Family/Individual/Group
parents
Make sure they have Therapy
MIDDLE Home computer in visible
supervision Learn about legal system
SCHOOL place in home
Find out how they are being Use resources in the
Monitor TV/Movies
exposed community
After school activities
Look for red flags/sudden
HIGH Same as above, plus: changes
SCHOOL Curfew Parent involvement – what
Limit access to car activities can you do
together
