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or failure of initiatives aimed at reducing youth and gang crime as well as early prevention and intervention efforts. These organizations and their work product will be utilized not only during the assessment process, but on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Commission will carefully review the report from the City of Los Angeles9 on how to evaluate the efficacy of programs and what criteria can be used to measure success. This report, along with the assessment results, will assist EPIC in making recommendations that are grounded in reality and have a clear potential for accomplishing their goals and objectives. The Commission believes that any initiative must have well articulated and measurable objectives. During its strategic planning retreat, the Commission developed a series of potential benchmarks that can be used to determine whether its work and strategies have helped create healthier and more successful communities for youth and their families. These benchmarks will be expressed in specific, measurable percentages over years (i.e. a 25% decrease in gang violence in 2 years), and include: • Increased community involvement and new EPIC members • Reduction in gang crime • Increased and sustained support by government officials, as well as private and public agencies • A significant decrease in the number of Santa Ana youth who are in the criminal justice system/institutions • Significant reduction in gang membership • Increase in the number of Santa Ana youth who are gainfully employed • Increased community satisfaction in neighborhoods as related to gang activity • Improved parental awareness of gang issues and activity • Increase in student participation in mentoring programs • Identify specific numbers of at-risk youth and ensure they are involved in positive programs and activities (i.e. EPIC, Youth Commission, etc.) • Reduce graffiti so that the cost of removal is significantly lower • Increase the number of Santa Ana neighborhoods that have an action plan for graffiti. s Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick released a comprehensive report on anti-gang initiatives and how to evaluate community-based and government programs to ensure the wise spending of public and private funds. The report is available at http://www.lacity.org/ctr/audits/Final_Report_2-14-08.pdf. EPIC Progress Report to City Council - 2008 Page 23 19D-24