Courageous Prevention
Beverly Kingston, Ph.D.Director and Senior Research Associate
Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence Institute of Behavioral Science | University of Colorado
Boulder
“Start with why"― Simon Sinek
Courageous Prevention
My Why…
“Creating systems and structures to support human
potential”
Being Brave & Trusting Yourself
Vision & Passion
with the Best Intentions…
…but was it
effective?
Importance of Passionate
Implementation + Evaluation:
A Great Marriage
News headline violence
Many people are hurting
We must address the root causes
Current Reality
For such a time as this…
Great Courage
What is your “Why”?
My Forever Research Questions
• What are the best things we can do in our schools and communities to support healthy development?
• How do we put those things into place?
What do we already know?
…we could reduce violence by 30% using knowledge we already have
Shared Risk & Protective Factors
Jenson & Fraser, 2011; National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2009; Biglan, 2015; Puddy and Wilkins 2011; Wilkins, Tsao, Hertz, Davis, & Klevens, 2014; National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2016
Same Risk & Protective
Factors
Multiple Problem
Behaviors & Positive
Outcomes
Nurturing Environments
1. Promote and reinforce prosocial behavior
2. Minimize socially and biologically toxic conditions
3. Monitor and set limits on influences and opportunities to engage in problem behavior
4. Promote mindful psychological flexibility in the pursuit of prosocial values
Biglan & Prinz 2017; Biglan 2015; Biglan, Flay, Embry & Sandler 2012; Kingston et al. forthcoming
Comprehensive & Coordinated Approach
• Developmental/life course
• Ecological
• Public health approach
Fagan and Catalano 2013; Jenson and Fraser 2011; Mercy and Vivolo-Kantor 2016; National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies 2009; Ridgeway 2014
Implementation Science: Formula for Success
Effective Programs x Effective Implementation x Enabling Context =
Positive Outcomes
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development – www.blueprintsprograms.com
National Implementation Research Network – http://implementation.fpg.unc.edu/module-2/implementation-drivers
Scacia et al., 2015Wandersman et al., 2014
We know a lot about how to prevent and address problem behaviors
YET…
…less than 10% of child welfare and education agencies are implementing
evidence-based programs
Henggeler & Schoenwald, 2012 ; Gottfredson & Gottfredson, 2002; U.S. Department of Ed.. 2011
Why the gap between what we know works and what we are
putting into practice?
Flooded
Comprehensive Projects:
*Check out – http://www.liberatingstructures.com
Courageous Actionin Service of our Why
Begins with listening to ourselves…longing and letting go
Taking Courageous Action
Letting Go• What am I ready to let go of?
Longing• What is coming forth? What is
calling me? What do I long for?
With Courageous Action…
things may not always go as planned
My Supports…