Lead Investigator: Kevin W. Allison, Ph.D.

Background: Research and experience indicate notable limitations in the effective dissemination and widespread implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies. Within individual communities, decisions made by administrators in varied public (e.g., city government, public schools, police and health departments) and private (youth serving nonprofits, local and national philanthropic organizations) institutions determine the local availability of youth violence prevention activities and resources. In addition, there are often limited structures, organizational practices, or inter-agency linkages that support the coordination of prevention efforts that are lead by different institutions. In the current project, we will conduct a qualitative analysis of public and nongovernmental organization administrators’ perceptions of the barriers and supports to effective community violence prevention efforts for youth. Importance: The identification of specific challenges and supports to the provision of effective prevention services to youth provides an opportunity to articulate potential responses to these barriers and to support conversations that may assist in removing these barriers. This work will inform our local community mobilization plan.