Evaluating Gang Prevention and Youth Development Programming: Gaining Trust from Youth and Young Adults in Disadvantaged Communities

• In Event: Challenging Data Collection: Working with Gang-involved and Violent Youth and Adults

Abstract

The Urban Institute and Harder+Co have been evaluating the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program since 2009. The GRYD program offers prevention and intervention services in 12 communities to youth, young adults and their families that are either at-risk of gang joining or already gang-affiliated. This presentation describes the evaluation of these GRYD program components, including discussions on using mobile technology (tablets) with a literacy-challenged population; working with community-based partners to recruit youth, obtain parental consent, and act as liaisons between evaluators and the community; and successfully surveying a young, disadvantaged population with cultural sensitivity and respect. Challenges and successes of conducting evaluations of large-scale, community based interventions like GRYD are discussed.

Authors

• Samantha Lowry, Urban Institute

• Jesse Jannetta, Urban Institute

• Meagan Cahill, Urban Institute

• Miriam Becker-Cohen, Urban Institute

• Darakshan Raja, Urban Institute

• Maria Serakos, Urban Institute

• Emily Tiry, Urban Institute