Theoretical Comparisons

The evaluation of Project HOPE’s grants within the context of the socio-ecological model underscores the multifaceted barriers faced by justice-involved individuals, youth, and residents in Vallejo’s crime hotspot areas. The socio-ecological model, which examines the interactions between individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy, provides a comprehensive framework for better understanding the complexities of violence and crime prevention efforts in Vallejo, CA. Understanding Project HOPE in this light has aided me in clarifying the relational and causal implication of the grant on downstream communal outcomes as a result of CalVIP/Byrne community partners' interactions with both the grant writers and the Vallejo community. 

Looking at the individual level, barriers such as limited access to education and employment opportunities hinder personal development and increase the risk of recidivism amongst justice-involved individuals (Duwe & Henry-Nickie, 2021) which makes prioritizing these opportunities significantly important for the disadvantaged community and youth in Vallejo. Likewise, considering that failure in school can have long-term detrimental societal consequences for adolescents transitioning into adulthood, measures aimed at reducing community violence may be beneficial to increase positive youth activity ensuring better educational and professional development in the future (Loeber, 1990; and Masten, 2010). However, the lack of tailored recruitment strategies for individuals under Project HOPE exacerbates these issues, as many potential beneficiaries are not effectively reached as reported. In order to give them the knowledge they need, you need to meet the individual where they are in order to develop and improve those skills/behaviors into tangible goals and assets that can positively impact the community.  

With the unique position CalVIP/Byrne community informants are put in, speaking as representatives for their members that have had interactions with VPD & themselves and representing a specific social institution as a whole, they can be be meld into both the interpersonal and organizational levels. On the interpersonal level and organizational level, the strained relationships between community networks and the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) reflect broader trust issues and shared communal trauma, further alienating individuals who might benefit from these community partner opportunities.  Jackson and Wade (2005) found that police officers' views on social culture and capacity influence their decision to use traditional law enforcement tactics, which can lead to more tension and potential misuse of power as opposed to alternative community-based resolutions. VPD relying solely on these methods can worsen the relationship between the police and the community, increasing tension and distrust as mentioned by Vallejo community partner responses on community interactions. The public are supposed to highly regard the police department as a governing body responsible for maintaining public safety within the city, but sentiments of mistrust and insecurity based on historical failures in the VPD and inaction to meet the community where they are paint this image between the two that they cannot get along. This is reinforced both by the VPD's current policing strategies as well as the communities inability to reach the VPD by no help of Project HOPE from what they've stated, though that may change later. 

Community-level barriers are evident in the underutilization of grant funds due to administrative inefficiencies and insufficient participant referrals as a result of higher public policy/governing systems. In this case, Project HOPE's Byrne/CalVIP state-funded grant and administration is the highest point in the ecological model that's responsible for the associated inadequacies at the community level between organizations. The absence of a permanent city community center and inadequate infrastructure for youth activities highlights the need for stable and supportive environments that can foster positive interactions and community cohesion. Systemic inequities from Project HOPE in resource allocation and financial support as well as poor communication down the chain of command contributes to the disparities in service provision and eventually leads to a weakened production of the program's goals.

Addressing these barriers requires a coordinated and multi-faceted effort that considers the socio-ecological model's insights. By enhancing communication at all levels, clarifying grant terms to organizations, and expanding services to directly mend the relationship between the community and VPD , Project HOPE can better meet the needs of its target population and create a more resilient and cohesive community in Vallejo. Experiences in class such as Health Policy (PBHC 604) helped to inform my understanding of the structural implications of policy on society at multiple levels through example and active in-person simulations. Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health (PBHC 608) gave me perspective into how individuals of diverse backgrounds are in some ways limited/defined by their environment and how that influences their behavior and attitudes. Program Evaluation (PBHC 647) aided in helping develop my ability to collect, identify and theme qualitative and quantitative data together as well as developing survey questions efficiently and thoroughly without bias and with practice.