2000

* An Advisory Board is formed to provide input and support the mission of the Partnership. Board members represent diverse organizations that represent medicine, law enforcement, the justice system, education, business, social services, faith communities, and child advocacy.

* The Advisory board meets quarterly and is divided into workgroups that focus on data surveillance, education and training, research and evaluation, and external relations and policy development.

* The Board develops a comprehensive vision statement for the Partnership as follows:
“The Partnership is a statewide multi-disciplinary approach to firearm violence prevention. The aim of the Partnership is to facilitate a coordinated, unified strategy that will result in long-term policy efforts regarding firearms and public safety. The Partnership will facilitate collaboration and information sharing among various domains including health care, law enforcement, judiciary, human services, policy making, and community organizations (including the faith-community). Using a public health model, the Partnership seeks to educate and inform all Indiana residents about issues pertaining to the prevention of firearm violence in their communities.”

* Lori Lovett is hired on a part-time basis as Program Manager for Education and Training and Ruby Grosdidier is contracted as a Public Relations Consultant.

* Collaborative agreements are formed with Indianapolis Police Department (IPD), Marion County Coroner, and Marion County hospital medical directors in support of the Partnership’s data collection effort.

* The Partnership contracts with the IU Center for survey Research in Bloomington to field a random, statewide, telephone survey related to firearm injury prevention policy measures, which mirrors a national survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. Responses indicate wide support for firearm legislative and policy efforts such as background checks at gun shows, child access prevention laws, and other such safety measures.

* The Partnership hosts its first annual meeting sponsored by Clarian Health, entitled “The Public Health approach to Prevent Injuries and Death due to Gun Violence.” The keynote speaker is Stephen Teret, Director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research, Johns Hopkins University.

* The Partnership establishes a relationship with the IU School of Medicine Pediatric Residency Program and begins offering monthly lectures to residents on firearm injury prevention and the pediatrician’s role in reducing injuries and deaths.

* The Partnership along with Board Members and other local child advocacy organizations spearhead the first Million Mom March in Indianapolis to coincide with a national campaign. A total of 850 mothers and their families participate in the March which converges in Military Park.

* The Partnership in collaboration with other child advocacy organizations coordinates the Silent March to coincide with a national campaign. To signify the number of gun deaths that year, 814 pairs of shoes are donated and displayed at the Children’s Museum, and then mailed to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Indiana’s efforts are highlighted in the “USA Today.”