In: Crime and Violence Prevention ISBN: 978-1-63483-792-7 Editors: M. F. Taylor, U. Khan and J. A. Pooley © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Chapter 12 DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION: LESSONS LEARNED FROM ALBERTA, CANADA Elizabeth Dozois 1 , MA, Lana Wells 2, , MSW, RSW, and Claire V. Crooks 3 , PhD 1 Word on the Street Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2 University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada 3 University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada ABSTRACT . Many of the precursors of domestic violence emerge in childhood and adolescence when the skills and behaviors that govern relationships are acquired. Subsequently, supporting the development of healthy relationship skills among children and youth is a key lever for primary prevention of domestic violence. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a helpful and complementary framework for violence prevention, as it focuses on developing the core processes by which children and youth learn to regulate emotions, care for others, develop healthy relationships, and make good choices. In the province of Alberta, Canada, this approach is currently being implemented and tested through a population-based, multi-level strategy designed to promote socio-emotional learning in youth and create the socio-cultural resources and supports required to ensure success of the strategy. INTRODUCTION The Alberta Healthy Youth Relationships Strategy (AHYR) is comprised of seven interventions aimed at multiple levels, including individual, family, community and system level. Now three years into implementation, the AHYR Strategy is a rich case example, one  Corresponding Author: Lana Wells, Brenda Strafford Chair & Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N1N4. Phone: 403220-6484. Email:lmwells@ucalgary.ca. The exclusive license for this PDF is limited to personal website use only. No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted commercially in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services.