Conclusion
To date, much time and attention have been devoted to discovering which violence prevention programs are effective. By outlining high standards of program effectiveness, reviewing outcome evaluation results for numerous programs, and identifying successful programs, the Blueprints Initiative has helped answer some of the questions about what does and does not work in violence prevention. However, answering such questions is only the first step in meeting the greater challenge of preventing violence. To ensure continued program success, practitioners must turn their attention to quality of implementation. The preliminary data here suggest that obstacles are unavoidable. However, they do not have to lead to poor implementation or failure. Sites can overcome problems through a network of support at all levelsstaff, supervisory, administrative, and community. These preliminary data also suggest that program designers have new roles in violence prevention. Once they have proved that their programs are effective, designers must address the new task of making their programs available to the public. At this stage, providing ongoing technical assistance to agencies and schools throughout the Nation requires as much coordination, care, and scientific rigor as were required in the research trial to prove that the programs are effective.
By supporting the replication of Blueprints programs, OJJDP has helped create a complete package of programs, technical assistance, and process evaluations (i.e., program monitoring) for States, communities, schools, and local agencies that are attempting to address the problems of violence, crime, and substance abuse. OJJDP’s support of the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative is not only a major effort to disseminate information on effective programs and provide funding for training and technical assistance to help these programs get established in communities, it is also an attempt to systematically gather information on the challenges that arise in adopting new programs and in widely disseminating them.
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