Community Resiliency Collective Efficacy Program to Prevent Community Violence A Randomized Trial Involving Youth and Adults in Selected Neighborhoods

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a community-centered approach called the Community Resiliency Collective Efficacy Intervention CRCEI in reducing community violence. This cluster-randomized controlled trial focuses on promoting thriving, resiliency, and social change through discussions on neighborhood transformation, racial and gender equity, and community leadership. The study involves diverse neighborhoods and includes youth and adult community members as participants. Participants in the intervention group will take part in nine sessions, including two community discussions and a seven-week training on topics such as community strengths, collective efficacy, peaceful intervention strategies, police roles, effective listening, and community resources. Comparison neighborhoods will receive nine health education sessions on various community health topics. The trial uses a community-partnered participatory approach to engage both youth and adults in ongoing dialogue and organizing efforts. During the study, participants will complete surveys assessing perceptions of neighborhood collective efficacy and community cohesion at baseline and about 12 months later. Researchers will also monitor community violence incidence over 1 to 2 years before and after the intervention, and gather qualitative data through interviews and observations. The study aims to measure changes in community social norms and self-reported violence exposure, providing a rigorous evaluation of this prevention method over a multi-year period.

Community Resiliency Collective Efficacy Intervention