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Directory of Prevention Resources in the United States

Publication Date:

29/05/2025

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This annotated list of resources was designed to complement the training modules provided through the Strong Cities Network’s project Developing Multi-Actor Frameworks in Small and Mid-Sized Cities in the United States. It contains research, practical tools, examples, and lists of resources (e.g. funding, training, etc.) to help users deepen their understanding and implement programming related to preventing hate and targeted violence at the local level. The resources cover topics related to the targeted violence landscape, the public health approach to prevention, effective multi-actor coordination, community engagement, and models for city-led primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. This document serves as a key resource for city officials, practitioners, and community stakeholders seeking to implement or enhance local prevention efforts in a coordinated, sustainable, and cohesive manner.

The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Strong Cities Network membership in its entirety nor of Strong Cities donors or other partners. Strong Cities is not endorsing and cannot vouch for the efficacy of any particular resource or approach – we merely want to provide a listing of available resources to facilitate information exchange.

I. Introduction to Prevention

Hate and Targeted Violence Landscape

Definitions/Concepts

• Dangerous Speech: A Practical Guide, Dangerous Speech Project (2021)
  An introductory online guide to dangerous and hate speech; what it is, the mediums, the audience, messages and more. Helpful for stakeholders looking to curb and prevent unprotected hate speech and identify dangerous speech in their city.

• Defining Hate Crime, Targeted Violence, and Terrorism, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, University of Maryland
  (UMD START) (2020)
  Quick online learning resource that defines and differentiates the terms: Hate Crime, Targeted Violence, and Terrorism. This resource is useful for stakeholders looking to better define or understand the basic terms.

• Explainers, Institute for Strategic Dialogue
  A landing page for exploring issues, trends, narratives, platforms and actors associated with hate and extremism. Useful for stakeholders looking for a more in-depth analysis of commonly cited hate groups and trends in the current landscape.

• Extremist Files, Southern Poverty Law Center
  Database containing profiles of both prominent hate figures and hate groups, as well as histories, core beliefs/ideologies, and movements. It is useful for stakeholders as a reference guide for understanding the hate and targeted violence landscape

• Glossary of Extremism and Hate, Anti-Defamation League:
  Extensive database that provides an overview of many of the terms used by, and individuals associated with, movements and groups that subscribe to and/or promote hateful ideologies. It is useful for stakeholders as a reference guide for understanding the hate and targeted violence landscape.

• Hate Symbols, Anti-Defamation League:
  A comprehensive collection of many of the frequently used and associated symbols used by a variety of hate groups and movements. It is useful for stakeholders as a reference guide for understanding symbols associated with hate and targeted violence.

• Narratives and Violence – A Refresher Guide, Over Zero (2023):
  This guide focuses on the narrative patterns that drive societies to be increasingly accepting of violence (e.g., divisive “us-vs.-them” framing, violence justification, claims of existential threat, etc.). Particularly useful for those looking to recognize and therefore prevent hateful narratives from taking root in a society.

Data/Trends

• Hate Crimes Data and Resources, US Department of Justice:
  Comprehensive US government webpage to find news and state data on hate crimes, as well as hate crime-related action items (e.g. reporting a hate crime, applying for grants, etc.).

• Hate Map, Southern Poverty Law Center:
  An interactive mapping of known hate and anti-government groups across the United States (2000–present). Filtering options include state and ideology, making it a useful source for exploring trends, ideologies and movements over the years and between regions.

• HEAT Map, Anti-Defamation League:
  Interactive Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism (HEAT) incidents map in the United States (2002–present). Provides incident details and allows users to compare activity by type, ideology and/or state.

• Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism, Department of Homeland Security:
  Intelligence assessments on domestic terrorism from the DHS and FBI which include definitions, a discussion of activities, data on domestic terrorism matters, and recommendations to the federal government. This yearly assessment is presented to the US Congress and is a high-level overview of the landscape in regards to domestic terrorism.

• Understanding Threats and Harassment Against Local Officials, Bridging Divides Initiative, Princeton University:
  A comprehensive threat and harassment dataset that includes interviews and surveys from local elected officials, as well as incidents against them. This data is particularly useful for city leaders and other elected officials to help understand the threat landscape and the threat levels in their areas.

• US Crisis Monitor, Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED):
  Provides in-depth, real-time coverage of demonstration and political violence trends in the United States. An interactive map identifying states, themes and groups, as well as monthly in-depth reports on emerging themes impacting violence.

The Public Health Approach to Prevention

Definitions/Concepts

• Explainer: The “Public Health Approach” to Prevention, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2023):
  Overview of the “public health model” for preventing targeted violence. This model incorporates whole-of-society thinking, focuses on concerning behavior rather than ideology or other beliefs and recommends involvement of all levels of society in the three tiers of prevention.

• How Public Health Can Improve Initiatives to Counter Violent Extremism, UMD START (2016):
  Brief article outlining the benefits of using the public health model to counter hate and violent extremism. It includes an overview of the model and makes a case of using it, making this resource useful in teaching the benefits of the public health approach, or for trying to convince others of its efficacy.

• Master Class on Proactive Approaches to Violence Prevention, DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) (2024):
  A five-minute video introduction to prevention programs for schools and communities, rooted in the public health model. This learning aid provides foundational information for creating prevention strategies.

• The Social Ecological Model of Health, Centers for Disease Control (2024):
  A brief overview of the social-ecological model outlining the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors of health. Explains the factors that put people at risk for violence or protect them from experiencing or perpetrating violence, making it a useful tool for stakeholders beginning to strategize prevention in their localities.

Risk/Protective Factors

• Cognitive and behavioral radicalization: A systematic review of the putative risk and protective factors, Campbell Reviews (2021):
  Research paper exploring the risk and protective factors related to radicalization. This in-depth analysis of risk and protective factors, and the relative importance of each, can be applied to community strategies for preventing targeted violence. Particularly useful for stakeholders analyzing their own communities to develop local prevention approaches.

• Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Support of Violent Radicalization, Harvard Medical School (2021):
  A study on the effects of risk and protective factors (such as discrimination, health and social support) in young adult violent radicalization in Canada and the United States. The findings, which show that local contexts supersede other factors in the study, can be useful if championing community-specific approaches to countering hate and targeted violence.

• Risk Factors and Indicators Associated With Radicalization to Terrorism in the United States, National Institute of Justice (2018):
  Analysis of the risk factors and indicators that lead to radicalization and terrorism, based on NIJ-supported research. Particularly useful for stakeholders analyzing their own communities to develop local prevention approaches.

Guides/Toolkits

• A Guide for Cities: Preventing Hate, Extremism, and Polarisation, Strong Cities Network:
  A comprehensive guide which outlines how cities can develop and implement a coordinated, multi-actor prevention strategy; advance different types of prevention programs at the community and individual level; and navigate difficult issues. Contains good practice examples and learnings on prevention and interventions from 200+ cities.

• A Guide for City-Led Response, Strong Cities Network:
  A framework for city and other local leaders with which to formulate an effective response in the wake of a hate-or violent extremism-motivated attack, incident or crisis based on good-practice examples.

• A Guide for Mayors: Preventing and Responding to Hate, Extremism & Polarisation, Strong Cities Network:
  A guide to prepare Mayors for addressing threats from hate, extremism, and polarization and the root causes of these crises.

• Applying Research to Practice: A Practitioner’s Framework for Prevention Programming, Prevention Practitioners Network (2023):
  A research-backed guide for building sustainable prevention that attracts long-term investment. This guide analyses four categories of prevention programming, with multiple examples in each, and is useful for those looking for inspiration about which programs would be a good fit for their communities.

• Lessons from Effective Offices of Violence Prevention, Peace in Our Cities (2024):
  A review of city-based community violence prevention practices and lessons learned. Ideal resource for city officials, policymakers, and policy experts looking to derive actionable ideas and strategies to implement in community violence prevention.

• Preventing Targeted Violence and Terrorism: A Guide for Practitioners, Prevention Practitioners Network (2022):
  This guide outlines the hate landscape in the United States and provides an overview of the type of multi-actor team and strategies to pursue when creating a local prevention framework. Ideal workbook-style resource for practitioners and local leaders to implement a program in their localities.

• Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention: State TVTP Strategy Development, DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) (2024):
  Guidance for state governments on developing and implementing a targeted violence and terrorism prevention strategy, which can be applied to strategy development at the city and county level.

Prevention Resources

• Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, Department of Homeland Security:
  The Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) manages resources, events, funding opportunities, news, and more related to violence prevention programs, including prevention coordinators across the United States.

• Institute for Strategic Dialogue:
  An independent, nonprofit organization, which hosts the Strong Cities Network and provides expert research and analysis on emerging trends in hate, targeted violence and information operations, particularly online.

• Prevention Practitioners Network:
  A network of over 1,500 interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to using public health approaches to prevent hate-fueled violence.

• Prevention Resource Finder, Department of Homeland Security:
  A database of resources related to preparing for and preventing targeted violence, including funding opportunities, information-sharing platforms, research, support, best practices and training opportunities for communities.

• Regional Prevention Coordinators, DHS Center for Prevention Partnerships and Programs:
  Landing page containing contact information and background information on federal Regional Prevention Coordinators (RPCs) for leaders and organizations to stay informed about local prevention efforts and connect with other local prevention practitioners.

• Resource Hub, Strong Cities Network:
  A database containing tools and guides for mayors, elected leaders, city officials, and community stakeholders to tackle hate, extremism and polarization.

• SchoolSafety,gov
  • School Safety Home Page, A US Government landing page of resources, guidance and information for schools related to safety topics that range from bullying to targeted violence to child exploitation.
  • State Search Tool, Schoolsafety.gov
    A federal database of resources for building a school safety plan and emergency planner contacts, filtered by U.S. state.

• Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Partner Resource Guide, DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (2024)
  A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities, contacts, trainings, threat information, and mitigation resources related to targeted violence prevention.

• TRAIN Learning Network
  National learning network providing public health training to professionals and practitioners in the United States. Available trainings cover a wide range of topics including leadership, disease and youth violence.

• VetoViolence, Centers for Disease Control
  Violence prevention landing page for individuals and communities containing tools, trainings and resources related to preventing violence.

Grant and Training Opportunities

• Grants Finder Tool, Schoolsafety.gov:
  Federal grant search tool for school safety-related funding opportunities. Searchable by topic, funding amount, and application length/level of effort.

• Live Virtual Training Events, US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center:
  Training on topics related to targeted violence prevention, including research findings and prevention strategies, is available for all community stakeholders and offered throughout the year.

• Our Town grant program, National Endowment for the Arts:
  Landing page for the Our Town grants program, with information on grants offered to a wide range of recipients whose goals are to strengthen communities via arts, culture and design initiatives.

• Prevention Grant Funding Opportunities, DHS Prevention Resource Finder:
  Federal grant database for funding opportunities related to targeted violence and terrorism prevention.

• Prevention Training Opportunities, US DHS Prevention Resource Finder:
  Federal training database for virtual and in-person teachings related to violence prevention, emergency response and supporting victims for government and community practitioners.

• School Safety Grants and Federal Funding Database, Raptor Technologies:
  A collection of federal, state and local funding for schools (K-12) in the United States to improve the safety and security of students. Community Engagement, including initiatives related to mental health and expanding educational opportunities, as well as physical violence prevention.

• Training Catalogue, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers:
  A database of training programs for state and local law enforcement, including on issues related to targeted violence prevention.

II. Multi-Actor Coordination

Guides/Toolkits

• Developing a Local Prevention Framework and Guiding Principles – Chapter 2. Creating a Multi-Agency Structure, EU Radicalisation Awareness Network (2018):
  A short exploration of developing a local prevention framework, with a focus on the basics of creating an action plan and choosing stakeholders.

• Multi-Actor Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Interventions, International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (2021):
  Provides guidance and case studies on how multiple actors—including governments, civil society, and international organizations — can coordinate to design and implement effective P/CVE programs.
  • Module 1. Partnership as a Foundation for Multi-Actor Interventions
  • Module 3. Common Features of a Multi-Actor P/CVE Intervention Program
  • Module 5. Identifying and Understanding Stakeholders
  • Module 6. Building a Multi-Actor Team
  • Training course on developing multi-level collaborative approaches for preventing and countering targeted extremism.

• Multiagency Programs for Reducing Radicalization to Violence, Campbell Systematic Reviews (2021):
  Study on the efficacy of a multidisciplinary network of professionals and community leaders in reducing radicalization that leads to violence. The focus of police in this study makes it ideal for government offices and practitioners to choose stakeholders for their violence prevention frameworks.

• Multi-Agency Working and Preventing Violent Extremism: Part I, EU Radicalisation Awareness Network (2018):
  Guide that outlines the role and value of multi-agency cooperation in preventing targeted violence. Useful for those trying to understand the landscape for multi-agency cooperation as well as the barriers one might face.

• Multi-Agency Working and Preventing Violent Extremism: Part II, EU Radicalisation Awareness Network (2019):
  Provides several case studies of multi-agency targeted violence prevention models in Europe. Useful for those trying to understand and learn from previous examples of multi-agency cooperation.

• Preventing Targeted Violence and Terrorism: A Guide for Practitioners – Chapter 2. Multi-Disciplinary Teams, Prevention Practitioners Network:
  Guidance about creating a multidisciplinary team for tackling targeted violence prevention, including key considerations as they are being developed.

• Why Local Networks Are Key to Preventing Extremism and Hate: A Briefing Paper, Strong Cities Network (2022):
  Lessons learned for the building of local violence prevention networks based on Strong Cities’ projects globally.

Examples/Templates

• Kenya: PROACT Community-Based Intervention Program, Strong Cities Network (2021-2022)
  • Community Team – Induction Documents (template)
  • Community Team Framework – Isiolo County (example)
    These documents serve as a model for developing the multi-actor, community-led approach towards countering hate and targeted violence. These guides are particularly useful for communities looking for real-world examples of how to implement such frameworks and samples/examples to replicate for their own jurisdictions.

• North Macedonia: Kumanovo Community Action Team Member Reference Guide, Strong Cities Network (2019):
  Real-world example of a reference guide for a member of a local multi-actor prevention team. Useful for cities looking to develop multi-actor teams and ensure each member has the materials they need to succeed.

• South Africa: Stellenbosch Community Safety Forum, Municipality of Stellenbosch (2022):
  Example of Terms of Reference for establishing a multi-actor violence prevention team, and how to effectively integrate community stakeholders and leaders in a prevention framework.

• United Kingdom: Prevent Multi-Agency Panel Guidance, HM Government (2021):
  Example of multi-agency prevention panel and their guidelines for operation.

• United States: Portland United Against Hate (Oregon) (2020)
  • Coalition Organizational Structure
  • Orientation Packet
    A guide to the structure of Portland’s United Against Hate initiative, which convenes local groups, government agencies, and more to combat hate in the city. These resources contain a partner list, orientation/onboarding documents and background information. Useful as an example/template for cities seeking to implement a similar initiative in their jurisdiction.

III. Community Engagement

• A Guide for Mayors: Preventing and Responding to Hate, Extremism, & Polarisation – Engaging Communities, Strong Cities Network:
  Guidance for mayors on how they can engage communities to enhance social cohesion, with examples of promising practices implemented in cities in the US and around the world.

• A Guide for Cities: Preventing Hate, Extremism, and Polarisation – Supporting Social Cohesion & Welcoming New Arrivals, Strong Cities Network:
  Guidance for local elected leaders and city officials on how they can engage communities and effectively integrate new arrivals to maintain and enhance social cohesion. Includes examples of promising practices implemented in cities in the United States and around the world.

• A 10-Step Roadmap for Enhancing City-Led Support for Community-Based Programs to Address Hate and Extremism, Strong Cities Network:
  Practical guide for city governments on how to engage with and support civil-society organizations to address hate and targeted violence.

• Governor’s Roadmap to Preventing Targeted Violence, National Governors Association (2021):
  Guide for governors and state officials on developing statewide targeted violence prevention strategies, with a specific section on engaging the public and community organizations to build support and partnerships for prevention.

• Principles of Community Engagement, National Institute of Health (2024):
  Public health-centered practical guide on community mobilization and engagement for addressing issues of concern. Though focused on medical-related public health issues, the principles for engaging community on targeted violence prevention are the same.

• Young Cities – A Practical Guide to Youth Capacity Building for Countering Hate and Extremism, Strong Cities Network:
  Guide outlining different models for empowering and including young people in countering and preventing hate and targeted violence, with guidance on implementation for each.

Examples/Case Studies/Resources

• A Ten-Step Roadmap for Enhancing City-Led Support for Community-Based Programmes to Address Hate and Extremism, Strong Cities Network:
  A practical guide for cities to collaborate with and support community-based organizations with building resilience to polarization at the local level.

• City-Led Prevention of Hate, Extremism and Polarisation: Leveraging Local Youth Councils, Strong Cities Network:
  Recommendations for local leadership and government officials looking to utilize local youth councils as part of a wider effort to enhance social cohesion and prevent hate.

• City-Led Youth Engagement in Addressing Hate, Extremism and Polarisation: Ten Recommendations for Cities, Strong Cities Network:
  Suggestions for mayors and local leaders, and city officials for deepening and sustaining engagement with local youth as part of a whole-of-city approach to preventing hate, extremism and polarization.

• City of London: Mayor’s Shared Endeavor Fund, United Kingdom (2020–present):
  Report evaluating the City of London’s investment initiative to strengthen community cohesion and counter targeted violence by providing funding for local grassroots and community organizations.

• City of New York: Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, United States:
  Landing page with overviews of New York City’s current initiatives for preventing bias-motivated incidents and hate crimes and strengthening social cohesion, as a sample of potential initiatives to be replicated elsewhere.

• City Spotlights, Strong Cities Network
  • City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • The Hague, Netherlands
  • Durban / eThekwini, South Africa
    A living repository of city case studies from across the globe of promising practices related to preventing and countering hate and targeted violence. Selected examples are those related to community engagement.  

• Fifth Global Summit: Youth Councils and other City-Led Youth Engagement Initiatives, Strong Cities Network:
  Short summary of an event where elected city leaders discussed youth council models they are employing to engage their young residents to both support and drive positive change in their communities.

• Young Cities Program, Strong Cities Network:
  Landing page for a city-based youth engagement initiative that hosts resources such as practical guides, white papers, and practice models from cities around the world. Broad resource for those looking for examples or guidance on youth engagement in addressing hate and targeted violence.

IV. City-Led Primary Prevention

General Primary Prevention

• Exploring the Use of Three Digit Call Lines: A Prevention Resource, US DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (2024):
  A review and analysis of current initiatives integrating three-digit call lines and emergency and crisis support lines (e.g., 211, 311, 911, 988, etc.) in relation to preventing targeted violence. Created for policymakers, community leaders, and public health and safety practitioners.

• Guide for Cities: Preventing Hate, Extremism, and Polarisation – Primary Prevention, Strong Cities Network:
  Guidance on the actions and programs that promote social cohesion and reduce vulnerabilities that lead to hate, extremism and polarization, including examples from 15+ cities globally.

• Practitioner’s Framework for Prevention Programming, Prevention Practitioners Network (2023):
  A guide for initiatives cities can implement to be more resilient and cohesive, and less vulnerable to bias incidents and threats, based on existing prevention programming.

• Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism, RAND (2017):
  A comprehensive and straightforward toolkit to allow organizations to evaluate their targeted violence prevention programs. Includes checklists, worksheets, and other materials necessary to understand the efficacy of such initiatives.

• 10-Step Roadmap for Enhancing City-Led Support for Community-Based Programmes to Address Hate and Extremism, Strong Cities Network:
  Practical guide for city governments on how to engage with and support civil-society organizations to address hate and targeted violence.

Community Resilience

• Elections and Beyond: Fortifying Ourselves, Our Organizations, and Our Ecosystems, Building Movement Project & Solidarity Is (2024)
  Frameworks and exercises/worksheets to prepare individuals and community organizations to strengthen connections and partnerships, assume the ideal roles in, and respond correctly to election-related contingencies.

• End Political Violence Training, Horizons Project
  Free online training educating recipients on identifying, understanding, responding to and countering political violence.

• Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence: A Guide for Communities to Organize to Counter Political Violence, Horizons Project (2024)
  A comprehensive guide for individuals and communities outlining the basics and history of political violence and how to counter it through nonviolent organizing.

• How to Prevent Hate Crime in America – Policy Recommendations for Communities, Government, and Law Enforcement, International Association of Chiefs of Police (2019)
  Recommendations for understanding, improving and better responding to hate crimes, aimed at residents, schools and colleges, police, justice system agencies, social service agencies, and victims.

• Responding to Hate Propaganda: What You Need to Know, Anti-Defamation League (2024)
  A short guide for community members and organizations on responding to hate propaganda in a safe and responsible way.

• Right to Be – Building Resilience & Countering Harassment, Right to Be
  Free online bystander intervention trainings for multiple scenarios, including education, sports, workplace harassment and more.

• 10 Ways to Fight Hate – A Community Resource Guide, Southern Poverty Law Center (2017)
  An overview of 10 principles for fighting hate in communities and what actions can be taken to implement each. Ideal for city practitioners and community leaders but also for community members, as this resource contains actions that individuals can take to contribute to social cohesion.

Community Cohesion and Depolarization

• Bridge Builders Handbook, Relationships Project (2022)
  Tackling the problem of social divides, this handbook provides guidance on mediation techniques to build bridges in local communities.

• Collaboration Skills Workshop, Urban-Rural Action
  Tailored workshops for elected officials, community organizations, businesses, educators and others interested in learning how to engage in constructive dialogue, manage interpersonal conflict and contribute to community interventions.

• Community Relations Service, US Department of Justice   
  Provides free services in facilitating dialogue, training and guiding communities in need of reconciliation and cohesion.

• Courageous Conversations, Courageous RI
  Free media literacy and active listening online training, e.g., via videos, presentations and projects, including for schools, community organizations, workplaces and faith groups.   

• Fuse – Connections Through Conversations on Polarizing Topics, Missouri State University
  Multi-media resource for encouraging connections through conversation, including a card game exercise, podcast and a toolkit for both individuals and community organizations.

• The Peacemaker’s Toolkit: A Reference Guide for Faith Leaders for Reconciliation in Your Community, Common Ground USA (2023)
  A comprehensive toolkit for faith leaders looking to build peace and cohesion in and outside of their communities. Includes guidance for preventing, intervening and responding to hate and polarization in faith groups and communities.

Strategic Communications

• A Strategic Communications Approach to Tackling Current, Emerging, and New Violent Extremist Threat, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (2024)
  Practical guidance for local officials and leaders on communications strategies for reducing targeted violence.

• Countering Terrorism with Public-Facing Strategic Communication Campaigns, CREST Research (2023)
  Brief articles outlining effective public messaging campaigns for reporting suspicious behavior, reassuring citizens, and deterring targeted violence incidents.

• Public Relations & Promotions Toolkit, US DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (2024)
  Comprehensive toolkit for creating a targeted violence PR strategy.

Media Literacy/Digital Citizenship

• Be Internet Citizens – Community Toolkit, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2022)
  Toolkit for teaching young people media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship, with the aim of encouraging teenagers to have a positive voice online. Useful for community leaders, teachers, and those working in fields related to youth engagement.  

• Building Resilient Communities: Media Literacy and Critical Thinking – Online Certification Course, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College
  Free online course about the strategies of hate and terrorist groups to spread their messages online and recruit others, with guidance on how to recognize and disrupt the pipeline to targeted violence. This training was developed with secondary and post-secondary educators, public and school librarians, and law enforcement personnel (especially school resource officers) in mind.

• Digital Citizenship Programming Toolkit, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2020)
  Comprehensive toolkit focuses on digital literacy and citizenship via youth engagement, online safety and social cohesion.

• Digital Peacebuilding Toolkit, Search for Common Ground
  Online guide for strengthening peacebuilding capabilities by teaching approaches, tools and skills meant to strengthen collaboration, connection and inclusion. Interactive toolkit that allows users to find what they’re looking for quickly and learn the relevant information.

• Empowering People and Communities for Online Safety, Center for Countering Digital Hate (2025)
  Free, tailored digital and information resilience training designed to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to strengthen their resilience against online hate and conspiracy narratives.

• Media Literacy, Media Education Lab
  Free 18-unit curriculum created for K-12 teachers, including lesson plans and more for teaching media literacy to students. The lessons complement social studies, language and health education, making it easy to implement in the classroom.   

• Operation 250 – Youth Online Safety, Operation 250
  Free online lesson plans to teach online safety to students, including hateful language, responding to online risks, social media threats and cyberbullying. Useful for educators, K-12.

Youth/Student Prevention Programming

• Activities for Preventing Violent Radicalization – Educator’s Guide, Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (2019)
  Comprehensive guide to equip teachers with tools and activities that help to develop resilience to targeted violence in young people, including students K-12 and higher education.

• Building Resilient & Inclusive Communities of Knowledge Toolkit – A Guide for Higher Education, Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (2023)
  A toolkit for building social cohesion and resilience to extremism in higher education, with separate sections for faculty, administrators, students and staff and a list of available resources.

• Community Violence Prevention Resource for Action: A Compilation of the Best Available Evidence for Youth and Young Adults, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)
  Comprehensive action guide for community violence prevention programming for individuals aged 10-34, based on research and informed by those previously affected by violence.  

• Invent2Prevent, US DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships
  Learning program for high school and higher education students where they compete to design and implement creative solutions to tackle hate and targeted violence, with guidance from teachers and mentors. 

• Practical Guide for Youth Capacity Building for Countering Extremism, Hate, and Polarization, Strong Cities Network
  Guide outlining practices, implementation and guidance for empowering and including young people in addressing hate and targeted violence, including several models that have been implemented in cities globally.

• Prevention Through Education, Prevention Practitioners Network (2022)
  Guidance for educators and other school staff and administrators on recognizing the signs of, and assisting in, preventing targeted violence and other hate incidents.

• Project Belonging, Columbia University
  Program to empower students to become leaders who can build connected, resilient communities and help prevent their fellow students struggling with feelings of isolation, othering, or even invisibility in the classroom and school environment.

• Reimagine Resilience, Columbia University
  Certificate program for educators (grades 6-12) that aims to assist teachers with building social cohesion and build resilience in students.

• SCREEN Hate, Eradicate Hate Global Summit
  Guide for parents and educators on preparing for, preventing, discussing and addressing targeted violence with young people.

• UpEnd Hate, Eradicate Hate Global Summit
  Initiative to educate young people about hate and targeted violence while empowering them to be UPstanders.

V. Secondary and Tertiary Prevention

Multi-Actor Intervention Programs (e.g., Care Teams, Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams, etc.)

• A Guide for Cities: Preventing Hate, Extremism, and Polarisation – Secondary Prevention, Strong Cities Network
  Introduction to secondary prevention: the actions and programs that respond to a specific risk, challenge or group of people related to hate, extremism and polarization, including referrals and assessments and the considerations for successful implementation.

• Developing Multi-Actor P/CVE Intervention Programs – Module 8: Developing a Case Intake and Management System, International Institute for Justice and Rule of Law (2021)
  Online curriculum focused on developing and implementing multi-actor intervention platforms related to preventing targeted violence. This module is focused on identifying, redirecting and supporting individuals already considered vulnerable or at risk of engaging in targeted violence, but have not yet committed crimes.

• Interventions to Prevent Targeted Violence and Terrorism – A Practice Guide for Practitioners, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2021)
  A practical guide created for targeted violence practitioners that covers risk, needs and threat assessment, as well as staffing considerations for the core stages of intervention programming.

• Legal Considerations for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention – A Practice Guide for Practitioners, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2022)
  An overview of civil and criminal liabilities and considerations for information sharing related to targeted violence prevention.

• Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees from Syria and Iraq: Ten Lessons from the Berlin Experience for Local Governments, Strong Cities Network
  A reflection of the city of Berlin’s experience with returning foreign fighters and advice for city leadership based on the city’s investigative, prosecutorial and deradicalization measures.

• Threat Assessment and Management Team Primer, New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (2022)
  Introduction to, and practical guide for, creating Threat Assessment and Management Teams (TAMs). Designed for county law enforcement in New York, this could serve both as a guide for any municipality as well as a template for developing similar guidance in another jurisdiction.

Threat Assessment and Case Management

• Behavioral Assessment and Management – A Practice Guide for Practitioners, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2022)
  A practical guide created for practitioners that aims to provide a high-level summary of targeted violence interventions, behavioral assessments and how to implement and manage them.

• Developing Multi-Actor P/CVE Intervention Programs, International Institute for Justice and Rule of Law (2021)
  • Module 9. Ensuring “Do No Harm”: Assessing Vulnerabilities, Needs and Strengths
  • Module 10. Ensuring “Do No Harm”: Developing and Implementing Tailor-Made Individual Support Plans
    Online curriculum focused on developing and implementing multi-actor intervention platforms related to preventing targeted violence. These modules focus on conducting needs and threat assessments and developing individual support/management plans for the individual of concern.

• Directory of Threat Assessment Models, National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (2023)
  A directory of 22 different models that identify, assess, and manage threats of targeted violence prompted by warning behaviors. Covering a wide range of threats, this comparative assessment of models is useful for identifying which model is best suited for the local or case context.

• Extremism Risk Assessment – A Directory, CREST Research (2019)
  A directory of six risk assessment models for assessing extremist violence, which allows for framework comparison and notes the strengths and weaknesses of each.

• Mental Health Consultation for Targeted Violence Prevention – Toolkit for Practitioners, Resilience Collaborative at the University of Denver (2022)
  Toolkit for mental health interventions for targeted violence prevention, using anonymized case studies of actual patient examples.

School Safety: Threat Assessment and Management

• Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model – An Operational Guide, National Threat Assessment Center (2018)
  A guide for creating a targeted school violence prevention plan with additional resources including those related to positive school climate, bullying and emergency response.

• Improving School Safety Through Bystander Reporting: A Toolkit for Strengthening K-12 Reporting Programs, Department of Homeland Security (2023)
  Toolkit providing schools and educators with actionable, practical and cost-effective initiatives for preventing violence and harm through increasing bystander reporting and referral mechanisms.

• Resources, Guidance, and Tools to Create Safer School Environments, SchoolSafety.gov (2023)
  A federal database of resources, guidance and information for schools related to safety topics that range from Bullying to Targeted Violence to Child Exploitation.

• Threat Assessment and Management – Model Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines, Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (2020)
  A detailed review of the state of Virginia’s public school system’s threat assessment landscape, containing overarching strategies and initiatives as well as details and examples. Developed in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting (2007), the Virginia approach is considered a model for other states.

Bystander Intervention and Referrals

• A Guide to Threatening or Concerning Behaviors, DHS National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office (2023)
  Quick visual guide outlining which behaviors are considered threatening or concerning regarding targeted violence. Useful for practitioners and community audiences to help “recognize the signs.”

• Foundations of Targeted Violence Prevention: Threatening or potentially concerning behaviors and where to report them, DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (2023)
  One-hour bystander awareness e-learning course meant to educate on concerning or threatening behaviors as well as related reporting and intervention.

• Resources, Right to Be
  Database of bystander resources, reports and training for a range of topics including intervention, harassment and active shooters.

• Referral services:
  • ExitUSA, Life After Hate
    Resource for exiting hate groups using professional and peer support.
  • Parents 4 Peace Helpline, Parents For Peace
    Free and confidential phone line for bystanders concerned about loved ones’ mobilizing to targeted violence.
  • Prevention Practitioners Network Directory, Eradicate Hate Global Summit
    Practitioner directory for targeted violence prevention referrals; also includes organizations and resources for related topics, such as youth resilience, digital literacy, and threat assessment teams.

• 10 Ways to Improve Community Reporting for Violent Extremism and Targeted Violence, National Institute of Justice (2021)
  Concise guide for improving community reporting that considers barriers and facilitators.

Community and Public Safety

• CISA Tabletop Exercise Packages, DHS Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
  A collection of exercise packages covering the topics of cyber and physical security, including targeted violence and active shooter attacks.

• Directory of De-escalation, Bystander, and Community Safety Trainings, Bridging Divides Initiative
  A directory of de-escalation, bystander intervention, community safety, and conflict resolution training and trainers visible by state, as well as national and online programs.

• Police-Mental Health Collaborations – A Framework for Implementing Effective Responses, Council of State Governments (2019)
  Guide for law enforcement organizations to learn how to implement initiatives for managing and responding to mental health calls and incidents.

• Reimagining Public Safety – A Toolkit for Cities, National League of Cities (2021)
  Five-step guide for reimagining and reframing public safety in cities created specifically for city leaders, with a focus on public health.

Diversion, Disengagement, and Reintegration

• Guide to Disengagement Programming, CREST Research (2023)
  A practitioner’s guide for designing and implementing interventions that promote and facilitate exits from hate and other targeted violence groups.

• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Community Toolkit, LEAD Bureau (2023)
  Toolkit for understanding, implementing and evaluating a community-based alternative to jail and prosecution for people whose crimes and behaviors are rooted in mental health, substance abuse, or poverty.

• RISE Action Guide: A New Approach for Disengagement from Violent Extremism, US Institute of Peace (2023)
  Community action guide on rehabilitating, reintegrating and reconciling targeted violence offenders, created for civil society organizations, government officials, trainers and other relevant stakeholders.  

• Violent Extremism in America: Lessons from Former Extremists and Their Families on Disengagement, RAND Corporation (2021)
  Recommendations for community-based actions and approaches to prevent and counter targeted violence, based on interviews with former extremists.

Behavioral Threat Assessment Training

• Master Trainer Program, DHS National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office
  Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management certificate program, which trains federal, state, and local officials and partners how to mitigate threats and prevent targeted violence.

• Prevention Practitioner Network Workshops, Eradicate Hate Global Summit
  • Workshop 1: Risk, Needs, and Threat Assessment
  • Workshop 2: Staffing Interdisciplinary Teams
  • Workshops 3 & 4: Civil Liabilities
  • Workshop 10: Multidisciplinary Teams in Practice
    Free recorded workshops previously presented by the Prevention Practitioners Network related to the topics above for the entire range of prevention practitioners and professionals.

• Targeted Violence Prevention Trainings, Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety
  • Domestic Extremism and Violent Extremism Awareness
  • A Community Approach to Behavioral Threat Assessment
  • Legal Considerations for Community-Based Threat Assessment Teams
  • Aberrant Behavior Recognition Training
    A landing page for exploring and registering for the current trainings available related to establishing, growing and enhancing targeted violence and threat prevention.

• Violence Prevention Training – Community Members, Frontline Practitioners, and Mental Health Specialists, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Free online violence prevention training with curriculum tailored to specific audiences: individuals, frontline violence prevention practitioners, and mental health workers

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-23-TTP-132-00-01.