Explore Strategies for Responding to Youth Violence

ST. LOUIS - April 5, 2013 - PRLog -- ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, along with the Des Lee Collaborative Vision, presents the 12th Annual Youth Violence Prevention Conference. Speakers and guests will gather at UMSL’s J.C. Penney Conference Center on Thursday, April 11, 2013, to examine prevention and intervention strategies for responding to youth violence in general and in St. Louis specifically.

Speakers will examine four main topics:
• The role and effect of immigration on crime rates and issues of particular concern to immigrant populations,
• the role schools can play in improving safety in school and in the community,
• law enforcement perspectives on youth violence and interventions,
• and the unique effect of gangs on adolescent violence and strategies for responding to gang-related violence.

Attendance is beneficial for professionals who work with at-risk youth, probation officers, teachers, counselors, public health workers, youth advocates, law enforcement officers, students, and anyone interested in the welfare of children and youth.

Speakers include: Stephanie DiPietro, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, UMSL; Dan Isom, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, UMSL; Chris Melde, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University; Allison Payne, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Villanova University.

The conference begins at 8:00 a.m., April 11, with registration and a continental breakfast. Speakers will address the group throughout the day, with a couple of breaks and lunch. The program concludes with a social hour starting at 3:00 p.m. A $35 registration fee includes admittance to the program, 0.75 continuing education units (for full attendance), breakfast and lunch.

For a full schedule of events and to register for the conference, please visit the website at http://www.umsl.edu/~pcs/noncredit-offerings/youth-violen... or call (314) 516-5655.

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About the University of Missouri–St. Louis School of Professional & Continuing Studies: The University of Missouri–St. Louis School of Professional & Continuing Studies provides courses, programs, conferences, and events that fulfill degree completion, professional development and personal enrichment goals for the lifelong learner. For more information, please visit http://pcs.umsl.edu.