This evaluation report presents findings regarding the Oakland Department of Violence Prevention’s group violence response (GVR) strategy. This strategy responds to violent incidents and mediates conflicts to prevent violence from spreading. The strategy also engages people at an elevated risk of involvement in violence in a variety of services to reduce that risk and support their success.

What We Found

From July 2022 to December 2024, there were more than 500 responses to shooting scenes in Oakland, and more than 1,400 people received GVR services. The service providers made nearly 1,500 referrals to other services for the participants. Service providers emphasized the importance of relationship building and communication across organizations to successfully support people directly affected by violence.

In terms of service outcomes, two-thirds of youth participants and over 40 percent of adult participants receiving life coaching services completed their goals during the evaluation period. Most participants in employment support services successfully entered into jobs or internships. For adult life coaching participants, we found that receiving more services was associated with a slightly decreased likelihood of arrest. We also found that adult life coaching participants were less likely to be arrested within one year of receiving services compared with similarly situated adults.