Hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Denver March 13-15 for a first-of-its-kind conference focused on programs scientifically proven to prevent or reduce youth violence, delinquency and drug use.
Nationally renowned experts on youth development will speak at the Blueprints Conference hosted by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The event will be held at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 1550 Court Place.
The conference will highlight 12 model programs known as the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative. These rigorously examined programs were identified for their effectiveness from among more than 800 to be reviewed since 1998. Another 16 programs identified as "promising" also will be featured at the conference.
Keynote speakers will include Michele Ridge, former First Lady of Pennsylvania and advocate of evidence-based programs for youth; Delbert Elliott, executive director of the CU-Boulder Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, distinguished professor emeritus and senior scientific editor of the U.S. Surgeon General's report on youth violence in 2000; David Hawkins, professor and founder of the Social Development Research Group at the University of Washington; and Jennifer Atler, executive director of Invest in Kids.
The conference is open to the public but a registration fee is required. For more information or online registration visit
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence is part of the CU-Boulder Institute of Behavioral Science. For more information about the center visit