The Outreach & Prevention program seeks to communicate the mission and vision of CVS, its programs and services, to cultivate a community free from violence and oppression. This is achieved by utilizing restorative justice practices, structured activities, and strategies implemented in multiple settings across the Social Ecological Model to identify root causes of violence within communities and developing appropriate coordinated community responses and resources that result in a reduction of risk factors and/or an increase in protective factors which serve to protect against violence. 

Our primary focus is providing culturally appropriate educational curriculum to youth and adults in our community with the express purpose of preventing relationship violence and cultivating a culture where consent and respect for one another is a central tenet.

Research suggests that most youth in the United States begin dating between 9 and 12 years of age and are vulnerable to experiencing violence with their first relationship. According to the Center for Disease Control, 12% of youth experience physical violence by a dating partner and 25% experience psychological or emotional abuse by a dating partner.

Data from our local community health assessments suggest that youth in Allen and Putnam counties are no exception. Further, 14% of youth in Putnam County and 28% of youth in Allen County are at increased risk of intimate partner violence, among other long term health effects, due to exposure to multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences. 

We provide culturally appropriate educational curriculum to youth and adults in our community with the express purpose of preventing relationship violence and cultivating a culture where consent and respect for one another is a central tenet.  With over 25 years of combined professional education experience, our prevention educators deliver an evidence-based curriculum which meets the core educational requirements of the Ohio Department of Education.