About VPA Jamaica
Working Together to Find Solutions
Our Mission
The VPA (Jamaican Chapter) was launched in November 2004 during the University of the West Indies’ Medical Research Conference. Our message is “Violence is Preventable” and we seek to build an alliance with all sectors of society that creates safe communities where children can grow up free from fear and violence.
Our Vision is a violence free and safe Jamaica, achieved through a multi-sectoral approach that unites around a shared vision for the prevention and reduction of crime and violence in Jamaica.
The VPA utilizes a data-driven, evidence-based approach to violence prevention — supporting primary prevention, integrated community development, and public education while lobbying for the integration of violence prevention into social and educational policies.
The Team
Prof. Elizabeth Ward, OD
Chairperson
A medical doctor and epidemiologist known as the ‘Data Doctor’. Co-founder of the Violence Prevention Alliance, Professor Ward leads with a data-driven approach to curbing public health crises including crime and violence in Jamaica.
Dr. Deanna Ashley, CD
Executive Director
A retired director of health promotion in the Ministry of Health, recognised with two national honours — the Order of Distinction (OD) and the Commander of Distinction (CD) — for her outstanding service in public health.
Mrs. Winsome Heslop
Finance & Administration Manager
Responsible for the financial management and administrative operations of the Violence Prevention Alliance Jamaica.
Ms. Jonelle Llewellyn
Research Associate
Joined VPA mid-2019 with a focus on translating violence prevention research into useful outputs for reducing risk in children and adolescents. Also serves as Project Administrator for CAPP.
Technical Team
Colleen Wint-Bond
Programmes & Communications Consultant
A Developmental Communications Practitioner with experience in the public and private sectors in Jamaica and CARICOM agencies throughout the Caribbean.
Ms. Saffrey Brown
Strategic Planning & Community Development Consultant
Head of Innovation at The Leap Company. Considered the architect of the social enterprise eco-system in Jamaica. A 2019 Eisenhower Fellow.
Mr. Andre McNab
Data Management Consultant
Coordinates VRI and spatial data management activities. Over a decade’s experience as Data Manager at Jamaica’s Ministry of Health, with expertise in spatial, scientific and metadata management.
Dr. Kim Scott
Resiliency & Wellness Consultant
Completed her Bachelor’s in Human Biology and Psychology at the University of Toronto and her Medical degree at UWI Jamaica, with a Master’s in Public Health focused on behavioral and emotional health.
Alliance Members
Membership is open to any organisation actively involved in violence prevention in Jamaica.
- Ministry of Health and Wellness
- Ministry of National Security
- Ministry of Education, Youth & Information
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security
- Jamaica Social Investment Fund
- Mona Geoinformatics Institute
- Jamaica Broadcasting Commission
- Manchester Peace Coalition
- Nurses Association of Jamaica
- Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches
- Children First
- Dispute Resolution Foundation
- Medical Association of Jamaica
- VPA Community Action Network
- Combined Cadet Force
- United Nations Development Programme
- Pan American Health Organization / WHO
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- UN Women
- The University of the West Indies
- University of Technology, Jamaica
- Peace Management Initiative
- Caribbean Child Development Centre
- Jamaica Council of Churches
- VPA North East
Key Partners & Donors
We are grateful to all present and past partners and funders who have helped advance VPA’s mission.
