Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County

About Us

The Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County (VPC-OC) was established in 1996. It remains the only countywide affiliation of businesses, community organizations, public and private agencies, and individuals promoting violence prevention through a public health approach. 

Our Mission

Promote the health and wellness of our community by reducing violence
 

Our Goals

Promote policies that prevent violence

Change community norms by establishing non-violence as a desirable behavior

Foster communication and collaboration among community members, stakeholders, and agencies currently addressing violence in Orange County, California

What We Do

Educate about violence and violence prevention at meetings, through "quick fact" sheets, and more

Review important issues and take a stand through our position statements

Increase community awareness about violence and violence prevention

Advocate for violence prevention strategies for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities and for policies and legislation that support these strategies

Provide resources for helping professionals

 

VPC-OC Organizational Structure

Executive Committee

Provides leadership regarding violence prevention strategies and activities of the Coalition. Conducts Coalition business. Committee includes members from each committee and Coalition members at large.

Executive Committee Members are:

Dallas M. Stout, Psy.D., 2004-2008 Co-Chair DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting
Debra L. Stout, Psy.D., 2004-2008 Co-Chair DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting
Mary Leigh Blek, PHN OC Brady Campaign Chapter
Kelly Broberg, MPH OC Health Care Agency
Linda Kearns, BSW OC Department of Education
Danielle Nava, MAOL Anti-Defamation League
Berenis Quinones, MPH OC Health Care Agency
Daria Waetjen, Ed.D. OC Department of Education
Patricia Lenahan, LCSW, MFT, BCETS UCI School of Medicine (Ret.)
Jan Sener City of San Clemente
Alison Lehman, BA OC Human Relations Commission
Christine Laehle, BS OC Department of Education

Policy Committee

Mary Leigh Blek, Chair

 
bulletReviews legislation concerned with the prevention of violence.
 
bulletProvides accurate information regarding violence policy issues.

Resource Committee

 
bullet Acts as a resource for violence prevention and coalition information.
 
bullet Produces fact sheets, resource cards, calendar of violence prevention activities.

VPCOC Ambassador Council
Provides expertise, support, and counsel to the executive committee as previous Ambassador of Peace Award winners in their field to reduce violence. 

Alan Albright (2006) – OC Health Care Agency
Linda Biehl (2002) – The Amy Biehl Foundation
Charlie Blek (2008) – OC Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence
Mary Leigh Blek (1997) – OC Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence
Claire Braeburn (2000) – OC On Track
Craig Chen (2002 Youth) – OC On Track
Darcy Fehringer (2008) - Anti-Defamation League
Tina Fernandez (1999) – OC Human Relations Commission
Rosa Galindo (1999) – Santa Ana Unified School District
Alberto Gedissman, MD (1997) – PowerPlayMD-OC
Officer Dennis L. Grimm (2008) - Placentia police Department
Erin Gruwell (1998) – Freedom Writers Foundation
Rick Krey (2005) – Anaheim Union High School District
Don Lafoon (2007) - STOP-GAP
Patricia Lenahan (2007) – UC Irvine School of Medicine
Laura Long (2007) – United Way of OC
Gwen Hass (2001) – Leadership Institute for Teens
Fernando Leon (2004) – La Calle
Chief David Maggard (2007) – City of Irvine
Debbe Magnusen (2006) - Project Cuddle
Alexandria “Zan” Margolis (2007 Youth) – Carona Del Mar High School
Mary Marlin (2005) – Health Options 
Jack Miller (1998) – OC Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence
Pepe Montenegro (2003) – Newport Mesa Unified School District
 Cindy Nagumatsu-Hanlon (2005) – Garden Grove Police Department
Bruce Perry, MD (2006) – The Child Trauma Academy
Jan Sener (2002) – OC Sheriff’s Department
Alton Steele (2006) – ACCESS Schools
Lucy Steinberg (2001) – Leadership Institute for Teens
Dallas M. Stout, Psy.D. (2004) – DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting
Terry Thompson (2000) – OC On Track
Al Valdez (1998) – OC District Attorney’s Office (ret.)
Daria Waetjen (1998) – OC Department of Education
Denise Weiland (2008) - Newport Mesa Unified School District
Zoe Weintraub (2008 Youth) - San Clemente High School
Billie Weiss (1998) – Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles
Garen Wintemute, MD, MPH (2006) - UC Davis School of Medicine

 

Updated 03/08