Research Core Project A (Bullying Intervention)

• Evaluation of violence-prevention programs in middle school with a focus on school climate – extension of previous quasi-experimental evaluations.

Research Core Small Project B (Organizational Networks)

• Focus on organizational networks, how their relationships change, how their approaches to youth violence prevention evolve, and how resources for youth violence prevention services change over time as they collaborate with the NUPACE. Propose an annual survey and interview of a representative from each organization in the target area over three years.

Research Core Small Project C (GIS and Neighborhood Asset Mapping)

• GIS and spatial analysis– moving in a positive direction by mapping assets; Linking neighborhood characteristics to protective factors, and in turn, to youth violence. Students in the community are asked to generate a list of neighborhood risk and protective factors for youth violence; this will be translated into a taxonomy of community assets and problems. Students will then walk through neighborhoods and code assets and problems based on the taxonomy, and identify the location electronically through GPS device. Propose mapping social networks of students with peers in the community, and parents with organizations in the community.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

• Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools- Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2005–06.
  
• Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report
• A Strategic Framework for Improving Racial/Ethnic Minority Health and Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities

IInformation Small Project- Conduct youth self-report surveys (N=2,500) from youth throughout Nashville (NYS) administered every other year (2005, 2007, 2009) through Oasis Center and Alignment Nashville.