Best Practices for Developing Resilient Communities and Addressing Violent Extremism

This study began with the recognition that CVE needs more than simply a name change and sought to build knowledge that could inform changes in policies and programs. The overall goals of this study were twofold:

1. Identify lessons learned from the mental health and education fields to inform ways of addressing violent extremism.
2. Delineate how professionals from the mental health and education fields could best become involved.

The key conclusion were: 

1. A criminal justice framework is insufficient for addressing violent extremism.
2. Efforts to address violent extremism should enhance community resilience to all hazards.
3. Multidisciplinary approaches have the potential to significantly enhance efforts to address violent extremism.

Unlike a criminal justice approach, basing violence prevention efforts in mental health and education approaches offers significant promise in building community buy-in and participation, the necessary foundation for community-based initiatives.