Evaluation of the Gang Reduction Program (GRP): Proposal for a One-Year Supplemental Extension

The Urban Institute will complete its evaluation of the Gang Reduction Program which was extended in each of the four sites through September, 2007. The goal of the Gang Reduction Program is to reduce gang crime and violence. The categories of programmatic approaches that were initially included in the GRP framework were primary prevention, secondary prevention, intervention, and suppression. Reentry was later added. The goal of the process component of the evaluation is to examine the nature of the collaboration between local GRP teams, individuals,organizational stakeholders, and federal partners in the development of program plans consistent with GRP framework; the translation of assessment analyses into program plans; and how actual implementation of GRP programs and activities match local strategic plans and the OJJDP GRP framework. The goal of the outcome/impact component is to examine the effects that the primary prevention efforts have on the reductions of community risk factors, increases in protective factors and changes in community-wide perceptions and behaviors; the effects of secondary prevention efforts, intervention efforts and the effects on the provision of services to gang involved youth on educational achievement, reduction of truancy, employment and other community outcomes; suppression efforts and the overall effects of the GRP program on gang related incidents.NCA/NCF