Heather Bland
Research Manager
Expertise
Expertise
Heather Bland is a Research Manager for the Crime Lab and Education Lab. In this role, Heather manages a portfolio of three projects focused on youth violence intervention and school re-engagement in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools.
Prior to working at the Education Lab, Heather interned with the Crime Lab and supported several internal and external communication initiatives with the Chicago Police Department. Heather holds an MA in Digital Communication and Media Arts and a BA in Public Relations and Advertising from DePaul University.
Back to Our Future (B2OF)
Back to Our Future (B2OF) is a state-funded, district-led, evidence-informed effort to re-engage disconnected students at an elevated risk for gun violence involvement.
Read the new policy brief.
Youth Advocate Programs
The Crime Lab and Education Lab, in partnership with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), conducted a randomized controlled trial of YAP’s wraparound advocacy services to evaluate the program’s impact on youth academic outcomes and violence engagement outcomes.
Choose to Change (C2C)
The Choose to Change program combines trauma-informed therapy with wraparound supports with the goal of reducing youth violence while improving educational outcomes outside of an institutional setting.
