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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mary Amato-Williams, BSN, RN, La Salle University, 1900 West Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141, 609-695-1568, goozie@optonline.net and Mary Ellen Miller, MSN, RN, School of Nursing, La Salle University, 1900 West Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141.

Nationally, 800,000 teens and young adults are estimated to be members of gangs. (www.safetyyouth.org). Once considered an inner city problem, gangs and associated gang violence is now apparent in suburban areas. One affluent township that borders the capital of the state of New Jersey has experienced an increase in gang membership in the last decade. This township provides the setting for a graduate public health nursing project targeting injury and violence prevention related to gang activity. It is documented that gang membership results in vandalism, graffiti, firearms possession, assault and drug trafficking. (National Gang Threat Assessment 2005). Healthy People 2010 addresses this public health concern in Focus Area 15: Injury and Violence Prevention. In 1999, 36 percent of students in grades 9 through 12 had been in a physical fight one or more times during the last 12 months. Black female students were more likely than white female students to report this behavior, and male students in grade were much more likely than male students in grade 12 to report this behavior. (Department of Health and Human Services 2000). Nationwide, 6.9 percent of students carried a weapon (for example, a gun, knife, or club) on school property and male students were significantly more likely than female students to have carried a weapon on school property. (Department of Health and Human Services 2000). This poster highlights a graduate student's clinical practicum, the Gang Awareness Project (GAP). The historical roots of gangs, gang membership, as well as the social and economical implications on the community are explored. At the completion of the program, participants receive a GAP ribbon that was designed by the graduate student presenter. The GAP ribbon has three main colors: purple, which signifies self-esteem; green, which signifies a new beginning; and white to signify a fresh start in life. Through public awareness and education, the community will gain the knowledge and requisite skills to address gang activity in their neighborhoods.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe what constitutes gang membership.
• Identify signs of gang activity.
• State replication strategies that can be utilzed in their local community.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered