The project, called Blueprints for Violence Prevention, has identified 11 prevention and intervention programs that meet a strict scientific standard of program effectiveness. Program effectiveness is based upon an initial review by CSPV and a final review and recommendation from a distinguished Advisory Board, comprised of seven experts in the field of violence prevention. The 11 model programs, called Blueprints, have been effective in reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency, and substance abuse. Another 18 programs have been identified as promising programs. CSPV has contracted with the designers of the Blueprints program to provide a package of training and technical assistance, and CSPV is conducting a process evaluation to ensure program fidelity at each site.
Technical assistance includes help with choosing a program and planning for program implementation.
The technical assistance component also provides expert assistance in implementing a Blueprints program including training, on-site technical assistance visits to troubleshoot problems, and regular telephone consultation. Key findings from these and other research and evaluation efforts have spurred the development of some new major new research initiatives, such as the Girls Program Evaluations and Girls Study Group and research on American Indian and Alaska Native juveniles. We anticipate that this research will help reduce the increasing number of female offenders and tailor programs specific to their needs. We expect that the American Indian and Alaska Native juvenile research will produce the same type of results among those young people. For too long in this country, we ve based criminal and juvenile justice policy and practice on our assumptions about what we thought would work, rather than on sound data that tell us what, in fact, is working or is promising.