Evidence-Based Practice Results - Proven Strategies

The list of Evidence-Based Programs and Strategies used by the Governor's Office of Gang and Youth Violence Policy was complied by Peter Greenwood, Ph.D.

Strategies in the PROVEN category are generic program strategies that have been found to reduce recidivism, substance use, and/or antisocial behavior in rigorous meta-analysis.

Strategies
INEFFECTIVE PROGRAMS Setting Target Age Group Outcomes
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Prevention or Intervention using structured goal setting, planning and practice.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 Elementary School
High School
Middle School		 26% reduction in recidivism (Lipsey)
11% reduction in recidivism (WSIPP)
Behavioral Programs
Prevention or Intervention that awards selected behaviors.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 Elementary School
High School
Middle School		 22% reduction in recidivism
Group Counseling
Prevention or Intervention using group counseling led by a therapist.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 Elementary School
High School
Middle School		 22% reduction in recidivism
High School Graduation
Prevention or Intervention: graduation from high school.		 Classroom High School 21.1% reduction in recidivism
Mentoring
Prevention or Intervention using mentoring by a volunteer or paraprofessional.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Elementary School
High School
Middle School		 21% reduction in recidivism
Case Management
Prevention or Intervention using a case manager or case team to develop a service plan and arrange services for juvenile.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 20% reduction in recidivism
Counseling / Psychotherapy
Prevention or Intervention: individual counseling.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 16.6% reduction in recidivism (WSIPP)
5% reduction in recidivism (Lipsey)
Pre-K Education for Low-Income Families
Prevention providing high-quality early childhood education.		 Classroom Early Childhood 16.6% reduction in recidivism
Mixed Counseling
Prevention or Intervention: combination of individual, group and/or family.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 16% reduction in recidivism
Teen Court
Intervention for juvenile offenders in which they are sentenced by their peers.		 Community High School
Middle School		 14% reduction in recidivism
Family Counseling
Prevention or Intervention: family counseling.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 13% reduction in recidivism
Social Skills Training
Prevention or Intervention: teaching social skills.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 13% reduction in recidivism
Challenge Programs
Prevention or Intervention: provide opportunities for experimental learning by mastering tasks.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 12% reduction in recidivism
Family Crisis Counseling
Prevention or Intervention: short-term family crisis counseling.		 Community
In-Home		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 12% reduction in recidivism
Mediation
Intervention where offender apologizes to victim and meets under supervision.		 Community
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 12% reduction in recidivism
Multiple Coordinated Services
Intervention providing a package of multiple services to juveniles.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 12% reduction in recidivism
Restorative Justice for Low-Risk Offenders
Intervention using victim-offender conferences and restitution.		 Community High School
Middle School		 10% reduction in recidivism (Lipsey)
8% reduction in recidivism (WSIPP)
Academic Training
Prevention or Intervention: tutoring, GED programs, etc.		 Classroom High School
Middle School		 10% reduction in recidivism
Service Broker
Intervention using referrals for juvenile services with minimal role afterward.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 10% reduction in recidivism
Sex Offender Treatment
Intervention using a cognitive-behavioral approach specifically for juvenile sex offenders.		 Classroom
Community
Institution		 Elementary School
High School
Middle School		 9.7% reduction in recidivism
Restitution
Intervention: offender provides financial compensation to victim and/or community service.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 9% reduction in recidivism
Mixed Counseling with Referral
Intervention: supplementary referrals for other services.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 Early Childhood
Elementary School
High School
Middle School
Parents		 8% reduction in recidivism
Job-Related Interventions
Prevention or Intervention: vocational counseling, job placement, training.		 Classroom
Community
In-Home
Institution		 High School
Middle School		 6% reduction in recidivism
Peer Counseling
Prevention or Intervention: peer group plays therapeutic role.		 Classroom
Community		 High School
Middle School		 4% reduction in recidivism
Diversion with services
Intervention using citizen accountability boards and counseling compared to court supervision.		 Community High School
Middle School		 3.1% reduction in recidivism