Untapped Levers for Reducing Gun Violence: The Impact of Behavioral Science Programs
The Crime Lab hosted a webinar on Thursday, October 10th that explored our latest findings on behavioral science interventions and their effectiveness in reducing gun violence.
The event provided an in-depth look at our growing portfolio of research on community violence intervention (CVI) programs, offering compelling evidence that behavioral science strategies can significantly improve public safety.
We discussed newly released results from our evaluation of Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) and Brightpoint’s Choose to Change® (C2C®). We also reviewed findings from programs such as Youth Guidance’s Becoming a Man (BAM), the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI), and a youth outreach forum program within the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. These studies serve as proof that behavioral science interventions are a critical lever in reducing violence in communities across the country.
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View the Slides from the Webinar
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The webinar featured insights from researchers, CVI leaders, and community partners, including:
Researchers
- Nour Abdul-Razzak, Research Director, Inclusive Economy Lab
- Monica Bhatt, Senior Research Director, Crime Lab
- Jonathan Davis, Assistant Professor, University of Oregon and Crime Lab Affiliate
Practitioners
- Jadine Chou, Chief of Safety and Security, Chicago Public Schools
- Dave Williams, Chief Program Officer, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP)
- Julie Noobler, Director of Metro Mental Health and Wellness, Brightpoint
Moderator: Kim Smith, Director of National Programs and External Affairs, Crime Lab
Latest Updates
University of Chicago Crime Lab Study Finds Youth Program Reduces Violent Crime, Results Persist for Three Years
A study of Choose to Change® (C2C®), a partnership between nonprofits Brightpoint and Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., found that participants are 39 percent less likely to be arrested for a violent crime.
University of Chicago says a CPS mentoring program drastically reduces arrests for violent crime
WBEZ’s Michael Puente covers the Crime Lab’s latest research on Choose to Change, a community violence intervention (CVI) program that aims to help young people in Chicago navigate a myriad of challenges, including high-stakes situations that could lead to violence.
Research shows signs of success in program stopping youth violence
Fox 32 Chicago covers new research from the University of Chicago Crime Lab showing how behavioral science interventions can reduce gun violence.