Mobilizing Communities to Implement Evidence‐Based Practices in Youth Violence Prevention: The State of the Art

Abstract

Community mobilization can increase the effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in youth violence prevention. These strategies bring together people and organizations in a community to try to solve or reduce a problem. They help communities address the challenges of identifying EBPs, disseminating them to local decision-makers, and then implementing and sustaining them if they are successful. Science-based systems for implementing EBPs such as PROSPER and Communities That Care can help to integrate this complex work in communities. Further insight about implementing EBPs in youth violence prevention is being developed through the CDC-funded Academic Centers for Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention. Community mobilization approaches for seven of these programs are discussed, highlighting successful approaches and challenges encountered.

Addressing Core Challenges for the Next Generation of Type 2 Translation Research and Systems: The Translation Science to Population Impact (TSci Impact) Framework

“…Our review of the literature highlights two core challenges we must address to achieve population impact through EBIs (Backer and Guerra 2011; Durlak and DuPre 2008; Fixsen et al 2005; Glasgow et al 2006; National Research Council and Institute of Medicine 2009a; Proctor et al 2009; Spoth et al 2008; Westfall et al 2007). The first core challenge is to build infrastructures and the capacity for broad translation of evidence-based preventive interventions into community practices through prevention delivery systems.…”

Impact Challenges in Community Science‐with‐Practice: Lessons from PROSPER on Transformative Practitioner‐Scientist Partnerships and Prevention Infrastructure Development

“…At present, tested and effective preventive interventions to reduce youth violence reach only a small percentage of the population that could benefit from them (Backer and Guerra 2011). This special issue addresses a promising solution, namely, “community action among people and organizations in a community directed toward solving or reducing a problem” (Backer and Guerra 2011).…”

PROSPER partnership delivery system: Effects on adolescent conduct problem behavior outcomes through 6.5 years past baseline

“…To address this problem, further research has been recommended on: (1) effective strategies to better translate proven interventions into practice; (2) technical assistance and other supports for practitioners implementing evidence-based interventions; and (3) delivery systems for evidence-based interventions (Backer & Guerra, 2011; Spoth & Greenberg, 2011). …”

“…Yet, there are very limited data from randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of community partnership systems designed to deliver universal evidence-based interventions, particularly ones intended to reduce aggression and other conduct problem behaviors (Backer & Guerra, 2011; Hawkins et al, 2012; Spoth & Greenberg, 2011). An earlier study demonstrated that one such system, Communities That Care, was effective in reducing youth problem behaviors (Hawkins et al, 2012).…”