Community Science conducted a national cross-site evaluation of this initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in 11 urban, rural, and tribal communities. We also provided evaluation technical assistance and capacity-building support to local Safe Start communities. The purpose of the initiative was to foster the development of a system of care for children exposed to violence and their families and to reduce the impact of the children’s exposure. Community Science used a rigorous cross-case analysis to determine the initiative’s impact on system changes as well as on child and family outcomes. The evaluation included working in partnership with Safe Start grantees and their local evaluators to develop meaningful evaluation strategies and providing evaluation-related training and technical assistance. Community Science also provided case-study development, cross-case analysis, and assistance in implementing local quasi-experimental designs to determine the impact of research-based interventions on young children and their parents. We also provided best practice guides to assist grantees in better serving children exposed to violence and their families. (2000-2010)
