Josh Peterson

As a Senior Public Health Specialist for the Minneapolis Health Department, Josh works on violence prevention, juvenile justice, and youth development. He co-created Next Step, a hospital-based violence intervention program that serves victims of violent trauma at the largest Level I trauma center in the state. He also designed a program for young people at risk of involvement with violence that is implemented in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. In addition to managing those, Josh serves as Project Director for a CDC-funded violence prevention grant, oversees the City’s portion of a 24/7 Juvenile Supervision Center, and provides technical assistance to policy makers, other City departments, and community-based agencies. He’s also been an active member of the Twin Cities music scene for over 20 years. 

The Minneapolis Health Department (MHD) is the local public health agency for the City of Minneapolis. MHD delivers a diverse range of public health interventions directly and in partnership with other government and community agencies toward its mission of improving the quality of life for all people in the city by protecting the environment, preventing disease and injury, promoting healthy behaviors, and creating a city that is a healthy place to live, work, and play.