Building Safe and Healthy Communities
Informing policies, practices, and programs with research and evidence
Individuals, families, and communities impacted by violence, substance misuse, or justice system involvement often face long-term barriers to success. The lasting effects of violence and trauma disrupt healthy development, perpetuate cycles of harm, and limit future outcomes.
WestEd’s prevention-focused, evidence-based solutions help to address these challenges and build safe, healthy, and supportive communities for all.
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More Related to This Focus Area
Featured Services and Projects
Violence Prevention Navigation Framework
The Violence Prevention Navigation Framework (VPNF) assists leaders in prioritizing, assessing, and developing appropriate strategies to reduce and prevent gun violence.
Project
Safe and Successful Youth Initiative
SSYI uses a public health approach to eliminate lethal and nonlethal violence among young people at the highest risk for violence.
Project
Justice & Prevention Research Center
The Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC) helps implement and evaluate efforts to promote positive youth development, physical health, and well-being.
Center
Insights & Impact
Resources
Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.
Featured Experts
Trevor Fronius
Trevor Fronius is the Director of Justice and Prevention. He is a criminologist with a focus and expertise in using research and evaluation methods to help local, state, and federal interest holders address issues related to school and community violence and safety.
Expert
Shaun Ali
Shawn Ali is a Senior Justice Technical Assistance Specialist for the Justice and Prevention Research Center, supporting violence prevention initiatives like WestEd's Violence Prevention Navigation Framework to help communities reduce violence and build sustainable, improved outcomes.
Expert
Ashley Boal
Ashley Boal is a Senior Research Associate for the Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC). She brings years of experience conducting research and evaluation studies across a diverse range of content areas including education, criminal justice, violence against women, and mental and physical health.
Expert
Kerwin Henderson
Kerwin Henderson is a Senior Justice Technical Assistance Specialist with the Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC). He has more than 10 years of experience consulting and providing Technical Assistance at the state and local levels to address critical issues and implement reforms across the criminal justice system.
Expert
Sarah Guckenburg
Sarah Guckenburg is a Senior Research Associate with the Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC). She specializes in research and evaluation of public health, substance misuse prevention, violence prevention, justice, and school mental health initiatives.
Expert
Jennifer Loeffler-Cobia
Jennifer Loeffler-Cobia is the Director of Justice and Public Health Policy and Practice for the Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC). She is a national expert in multisector, evidence-based practices to translate research into actionable outcomes to reduce recidivism, violence, and substance abuse.
Expert
Jonathan Nakamoto
Jonathan Nakamoto is a Senior Research Associate. He specializes in developing and managing experimental and quasi-experimental research designs, conducting statistical and cost analyses, designing and administering surveys, and has extensive experience in managing and analyzing longitudinal and multivariate data.
Expert
Lori Toscano
Lori Toscano is the Director of Justice Technical Assistance. She a national expert in community violence intervention with a focus on assisting states, localities, and community-based organizations with identifying, implementing, and operationalizing evidence-based strategies.
Expert