Evaluation of a Healing-Centered Community-Wide Approach to Addressing Firearm Violence in New Orleans

The Tulane University Violence Prevention Institute proposes to evaluate the New Orleans New Orleans Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) implemented by the New Orleans City Health Department. The purpose of the proposed research is to evaluate the development and implementation process and conduct a quasi-experimental study to assess system change and the impact of a community-based, healing-centered gun violence intervention in decreasing rates of non-fatal and fatal firearm violence in New Orleans. Project activities include a process evaluation with participant observation and qualitative interviews and focus groups; a quasi-experimental outcome evaluation including collection and analysis of survey data, a time series analysis utilizing secondary data, and qualitative focus groups; and a larger dissemination effort with annual community events to disseminate research findings, reports, policy briefs, and academic presentations and publications. Expected outcomes include development of a model for cross-sector coordination and community engagement in violence prevention and intervention in New Orleans, expansion of the evidence base on the efficacy of healing-centered approaches to violence reduction, and furthering criminal justice practice and policy to address violence prevention locally in New Orleans, statewide, and nationally. The Vera Institute of Justice will act as a subrecipient to assist with the process evaluation and dissemination activities.