During my Violence Prevention Fellowship at LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, I gained valuable experience working at the intersection of public health, prevention education, and community advocacy. As the designated provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services in Loudoun County, LAWS plays a critical role in supporting survivors while also addressing the root causes of violence through prevention and outreach efforts. This fellowship allowed me to contribute to that mission while deepening my understanding of how violence prevention is an essential component of MCH.
Throughout the semester, my day-to-day work focused on supporting evidence-based prevention initiatives across Loudoun County. One of my primary responsibilities was authoring an evaluation report for a series of workshops conducted with parents at Loudoun County Public Schools. This involved analyzing participant surveys and identifying strengths and opportunities for future programming. I also collaborated on revising and developing trauma-informed curricula for systems-involved youth at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center, ensuring the content was age-appropriate and responsive to the experiences of vulnerable adolescents.
Another meaningful aspect of my fellowship was authoring LAWS’ LGBTQ+ Prevention and Outreach Strategic Plan. I identified ways to strengthen culturally responsive services, improve staff confidence in serving LGBTQ+ clients, and build stronger partnerships with LGBTQ+-serving organizations throughout the community. This experience reinforced the importance of inclusive, community-centered approaches in public health practice and highlighted how prevention must account for the unique needs of marginalized populations.
What I enjoyed most about this fellowship was the opportunity to see how public health principles can be applied directly within community settings. I learned how prevention, education, and advocacy work together to address the social determinants of health and reduce long-term harm for women, children, and families. The mentorship and collaboration with Jen Farnsworth, the Violence Prevention Manager at LAWS, also strengthened my evaluation and program development skills while exposing me to trauma-informed approaches to care and prevention.
This fellowship has further prepared me for a career in public health by showing me the importance of prevention-focused, community-based interventions in advancing health equity. It deepened my commitment to working in MCH and my interest in addressing the intersections between violence prevention, mental health, and family well-being. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to LAWS’ mission and to learn from professionals dedicated to creating safer and healthier communities.