Drug Market Intervention Training, Technical Assistance, Public Awareness, and Outreach Program

Michigan State University (MSU) will deliver training and technical assistance activities (TTA) in support of Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. MSU will focus on delivering the Research Partner Orientation Course (RPOC) and field testing the Violence Reduction Assessment Tool (VRAT). The Research Partner Orientation Course (RPOC) is intended to support effective integration of research partners into violence reduction task forces/cross sector partnerships like PSN and BCJI. The RPOC provides background on the evolution of the action research approach as well as specific elements of the Research Partner model (e.g., problem assessment, linking to evidence-based practice, ongoing assessment, and evaluation). Building on this foundation, the RPOC works through key components of making the partnership succeed. This is followed by a module on best practices for violence reduction and information on technical assistance to support research partnerships as well as the overall PSN or BCJI initiative. The purpose of the VRAT is to assist communities with assessing their local violent crime problem, identifying evidence-based and promising strategies for reducing violent crime, assessing their capacity to effectively implement a violence reduction strategy, and linking communities to resources to accomplish the first three goals. At these trainings, when applicable, MSU will field test the VRAT with each site and deliver the RPOC.

NCA/CF