2026 DVP RETREAT DVP Summer NewsletterIn May, DVP held its first staff retreat in over two years. The day was a meaningful opportunity for us all to step away from our day-to-day responsibilities to reconnect as a team and reflect on our shared mission. Throughout the day, we took time to intentionally celebrate our wins, discuss our strategic priorities, and strengthen our team culture. Trust, adapt, flexible, loyalty, humility…those are just a handful of the words staff wrote to represent their commitment towards DVP’s strategic directions for the year. Through interactive presentations, pair share and teambuilding activities we explored our individual and collective contributions towards DVP’s mission. One of the biggest connecting activities of the day came from a collaborative “Cross the River” challenge, which reminded us that no single person, or team, can accomplish our mission alone. Every individual and every bureau has a unique role and purpose that keeps us moving towards our shared goals. Thank you to everyone for bringing your authentic selves, positive energy and leaning into all the discussions. Let’s keep that energy strong as we continue the work…and remember, we are better together! Remembering who we are, what we stand for, and celebrating our wins...DEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026
ADMINISTRATION DIRECT PRACTICES DVP Summer NewsletterDEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026The Administration Bureau has been making significant progress in not only filling numerous essential positions but also transitioning several grant-funded employees to city-funded roles. Interviews to fill two Gender-based Violence Specialists vacancies are starting soon. Additionally, be on the lookout for the following two upcoming recruitments: 1.Program Analyst III (1 vacancy) 2.Violence Prevention Servies Supervisor (1 vacancy) Do you enjoy or are interested in curating teambuilding activites? If so, you would be perfect for the DVP Fun Committee! The Fun Committee plans events such as our upcoming BBQ and our annual Holiday gathering. Please contact Kiere to learn more! Bureau UpdatesThis year, the Direct Practices team introduced a pilot program focused on workforce development. Career navigators from the Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) guided a cohort of current life coaching participants over a span of 16 weeks. The cohort engaged in learning and practicing essential job readiness skills, including resume writing, mock interviews, digital literacy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. This initiative would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our team member, Jennifer A., who oversees our workforce development contracts and led the collaboration with OPIC. In addition, we also hosted fellows from around the country for a site visit as part of the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform’s newest cohort of their Violence Reduction Management Institute training program. Shout out to Life Coach Anthony McGrady who is in this year’s cohort!
TRAININGDEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026 Bureau UpdatesDVP’s partnership with UPI to develop and launch Oakland Peace Academy officially started. UPI advisors held focus groups in the spring where they met with over 50 frontline staff from 17 agencies that are a part of Oakland’s Community Violence Interruption ecosystem. As we enter the fall season, DVP, UPI, and Oakland Leadership Committee will begin developing the Peace Academy curriculum. In addition, Direct Practices team members worked with the Training Bureau to develop and co-facilitate several trainings this year including Relentless Pursuit: Life Coaching Best Practices and Social Media in CVI work. This summer, we also had facilitators from Roca Institute facilitate a two-day training on incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Theory in our Life Coaching model. Kudos to the entire Grants, Programs, and Evaluation team for their hard work in preparing and executing the RFP process for DVP's upcoming grant cycle. With over 40 proposals submitted, we are thrilled to announce the selected grantees in the months ahead. Also, a heartfelt thank you to all the staff members who generously volunteered their time to act as readers. Now that the RFP has concluded, we will be working on negotiating and executing grants for services that will begin on October 1. GRANTS, PROGRAMS, AND EVALUATION DVP Summer Newsletter
NEW STAFF ALERT DVP is expanding our capacity to do the work! In July, we welcomed five new staff members. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself to our newest team members: Direct Practices Ismael (Junior) Caro - Violence Interrupter Glenale (Glen) Kellum - Life Coach Robert McDaniels - Life Coach Grants, Programs, and Evaluation Justice Gardner - Program Analyst Administration Regina To - Accountant Clerk III DVP Summer NewsletterDEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026 Welcome to DVP!
DVP Summer Newsletter DVP in the National Spotlight What it Takes for Cities to Reduce Violence Our own, LaSasha Long was featured in an article about the impact of our Life Coaching Focused Deterrence Model The Department of Justice released a report and features our work in a case study: A Strategic Plan to Sustain California’s Record Progress Against Gun Violence: Part 1 DVP was invited by Pew Charitable Trusts, along with leaders from Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia, to discuss challenges and lessons learned in developing a strong infrastructure for sustainable violence reduction.DEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026
DVP Summer NewsletterSelf-Care Series Kick- offEmergency Relocation TRAINING BUREAUAUGSEPAUGEi 365 - Emotional Intelligence trainingNOVCustomer Service CITY SPONSORED DVP in the National Spotlight Here is a look at some upcoming trainingsDEPARTMENT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONSUMMER 2026 Congresswoman Lateefah Simon secures $1 Million in federal funding for Ceasefire LifeLine Team member Harris Bradford discusses the significance of life coaching during the announcement of $1 million in federal funding dedicated to violence prevention.