Prince William County Convenes Regional Leaders to Advance Harm Reduction and Community Safety Strategies

Prince William County, VA — The Prince William County Office of Community Safety (OCS) convened regional leaders, service providers and community partners for a Harm Reduction Workshop and Landscape Analysis Convening, marking a significant step toward strengthening a coordinated, data-informed approach to community safety across the Greater Prince William region. 

The workshop brought together stakeholders from Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, health care systems, community-based organizations and public safety agencies to align strategies, share expertise and identify opportunities to enhance collaboration in addressing harm and violence. A central theme of the workshop was clear: community safety is a shared responsibility that requires strong, intentional coordination across systems. Participants emphasized the need to move beyond siloed approaches and build a more connected ecosystem that ensures residents can access the right services at the right time. 

“This convening reflects our commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to safety,” said Dr. Tauheeda Yasin, Director of the Office of Community Safety. “By bringing partners together, we are strengthening relationships, improving coordination and building a system that better supports individuals and families across our region.” 

Throughout the workshop, participants identified several key priorities for advancing harm reduction and violence prevention efforts: 

• Strengthening cross-agency coordination to reduce duplication and improve service delivery 

• Elevating the role of lived experience and trusted messengers in building community trust 

• Developing a centralized, real-time resource directory to improve access and navigation of services 

• Addressing gaps in continuity of care, particularly across critical transition points such as 911 response, hospital care and reentry 

• Leveraging high-impact intervention moments, including crisis events, as opportunities for engagement and support 

• Supporting the sustainability and well-being of frontline workers in harm reduction and outreach roles 

The workshop also reinforced the importance of a regional approach, recognizing the interconnected nature of services across Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. Participants emphasized that a “Greater Prince William” lens is essential to effectively coordinate resources and improve outcomes across jurisdictional boundaries. 

The workshop is part of an ongoing partnership with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, which is leading a comprehensive landscape analysis to assess the region’s harm reduction ecosystem. This effort includes stakeholder interviews, data analysis and system mapping to identify strengths, gaps and strategic opportunities. According to a representative from Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), the workshop “reinforced how imperative it is to continue holding workshops like these” to strengthen partnerships and better protect the community, particularly in high-danger domestic violence cases. 

In the coming weeks, stakeholders will continue contributing to the landscape analysis process, which will culminate in a report outlining actionable recommendations to enhance coordination, improve service delivery and strengthen community safety outcomes. 

“This is not a one-time conversation,” Yasin said. “It is the beginning of a sustained effort to align our systems, invest in what works and build a more responsive, person-centered approach to harm reduction and community safety.” 

Learn more about the Office of Community Safety at pwcgov.org/ocs. 

Media Contact: 

 
Office of Community Safety 
Prince William County, VA 
Dr. Tauheeda Yasin, Director  

[email protected]