Safer Communities Programs
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has placed a high priority on creating safer communities through supporting violence prevention and intervention programs. Millersville University partners with federal, state, and local entities to collaboratively implement research projects, creating safer communities with a focus on trauma-informed practices.
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Partner Organizations
Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services, OMHSAS Info | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal of OMHSAS is to transform the children's behavioral health system to a system that is family and youth guided, implement services and policies to support recovery and resiliency in the adult behavioral health system, and assure that behavioral health services and supports recognize and accommodate the unique needs of older adults.
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) serves as the justice planning and policymaking agency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By bringing together a wide range of experts in the fields of criminal and juvenile justice, victim services, and related professions, PCCD coordinates the collective examination of problems, proposes solutions, and evaluates the impact of those solutions.
Heal PA is a multisector, multidisciplinary coalition developed and sponsored by the Governor's Office of Advocacy and Reform (OAR). The coalition is organized into a variety of diverse action teams focused on implementing the Trauma-Informed PA Plan.
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Research and Resources
Community Health Workers Research
Trauma-Informed Resources
SAMHSA, Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach
Prevention Institute's Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience (preventioninstitute.org)
Gun Violence Data and Resources
Gun Violence in the United States 2022 (jhu.edu)
HHS, Office of the Surgeon General: Firearm Violence in America | HHS.gov
Pennsylvania Dept. of Health, Enterprise Data Dissemination Informatics Exchange (EDDIE)
Everytown for Gun Safety, State and County Firearm Deaths and Injury Data
Pennsylvania Dept. of Health, Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System (PA-VDRS) VDRS (pa.gov)
Pennsylvania State Police, Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System Home (pa.gov)
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and Prevention Resources
SAMHSA's Violence Prevention Resources | SAMHSA
U.S. Dept. of Justice's webinar Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series Part 3:
CVI in Practice Part 3 Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series: CVI In Practice - YouTube -
Program Staff
The Safer Communities Program is housed in the Division of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives. Program staff includes:
Denise Muller, M.P.H., M.A. – Program Director, Safer Communities
Phone: 717-871-4085 | | Denise.Muller@millersville.eduA passionate leader in trauma-informed community-building, Denise is dedicated to co-creating safer, more inclusive spaces. As the Safer Communities Program Director, she leads a $3.9 million initiative, supporting nonprofits across Pennsylvania to implement peer-led community violence intervention (CVI) programs. With over 20 years of experience, Denise has championed culturally responsive, school-based, multi-tiered systems of support, equipping educators in rural, urban, and tribal communities with essential tools to improve student well-being through data-driven decision-making. Her leadership extends to congregational settings, where she has provided spiritual care while modeling a leadership approach that integrates contemplative practices with civic engagement. She also spearheaded a statewide prisoner reentry initiative, mobilizing volunteers and partner organizations to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and opportunity. Beyond her professional work, she embraces a life of creativity and exploration through yoga, storycatching, sauntering in nature, and adventuring with her spouse.
Victor DeSantis, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator, Vice President for University Relations and Strategic Initiatives
Phone: 717-871-5955 | |Victor.DeSantis@millersville.eduVictor executes a proactive external affairs strategy that advances the University's goals and mission with industry and community partners as well as elected and appointed officials at local, state, and federal levels. He provides executive oversight to the university's communications and marketing office, workforce and economic initiatives, and strategic outreach projects. He serves as a senior advisor to the University President on external and government matters and serves on the President's cabinet.