Event UChicago Crime Lab October 10, 2024

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.

Choose to Change® participants at their mentoring group session. Photo by Beking Media.

Watch the Webinar

View the Slides from the Webinar

Download PDF
Untapped-Levers-Webinar-10.1.24.pptx-1-1

Speakers

The webinar featured insights from researchers, CVI leaders, and community partners, including:

Researchers

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 SmithDirector 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
Press Release
UChicago Crime Lab
Oct 2024

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.

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Media Mention
WBEZ
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Media Mention
Fox 32 Chicago
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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.