During a two-year period in Santa Maria, California -a city of 103,000- there were 23 murders within 17 months. This epidemic had many contributing factors, including gun violence. As the community reeled and came together, one factor that arose was the need for accessible mental health services. Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley (FBSMV) was asked during this time to develop a violence reduction program in the schools. The mission created by FBSMV was to partner with all members of the community to achieve resilience against substance use, reductions in violence, and promote a healthy and saf
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