The overall objective of this study is to implement and test a strengths-based, community-driven intervention to reduce gun violence by (1) improving housing stability through providing financial assistance coupled with comprehensive financial education for the re-entry population as well as their family members, and (2) fostering greater support for mental health by training a trusted network of community members in trauma-informed counseling.
Proposed is a type I hybrid effectiveness/implementation study using a neighborhood-level, stepped-wedge trial design across seven primarily socially vulnerable neighborhoods in New Haven. Residents of each neighborhood who have been affected by incarceration (i.e., currently have a family member incarcerated or a person returning to the community from prison within the last 12 months) will be eligible for our intervention for a period of 6 months. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) implementation science frameworks will be used to measure and track processes in achieving outcomes. A mixed methods approach will be used, primarily the use of quantitative methods for this study, along with qualitative focus groups will be conducted to assess some implementation outcomes. The primary outcome, rates of gun violence at the neighborhood level, are obtained from administrative data. Survey data will be collected for some implementation process measures (e.g., assessing acceptability and appropriateness of the intervention).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
61,770
The two components of the TRUE HAVEN intervention are: housing support for recently incarcerated people as well as family members of currently incarcerated people, and mental wellness training for neighborhood residents to participate in trauma-informed care training sessions.
Beaver Hills
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGDixwell
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGDwight/West River
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Change in rates of gun violence
The neighborhood rate of incident gun violence assessed among everyone in the neighborhoods; these data will be provided annually by the New Haven Police Department.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, and 36 months
Change in neighborhood social cohesion using the Social Cohesion sub-scale of the Sampson Collective Efficacy Scale
This is a neighborhood-level outcome on residents' perception of the strengths of relationships and solidarity among their neighbors. Data will be provided annually from DataHaven based on a representative sample of approximately 1% of population across each neighborhood of New Haven. The measure is based on Social Cohesion sub-scale of the Sampson Collective Efficacy Scale, which is a 5-point scale (score range: 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree)).
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months
Change in participant self-efficacy based on the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale
Individual-level perceptions and reactions to life's situations will be measured using a survey among the about 700 recruited participants. The measure is based on the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, which is a 4-point scale (score range: 1(not at all true) to 4(exactly true)).
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months
Change in perceived health and well-being based on the Well-being Assessment
Individual-level perceived health and well-being including dimensions of subjective well-being, general health, health problems, sense of direction and purpose in life, emotional support, and sense of belonging to community will be measured using a survey among the about 700 recruited participants. This composite measure is based on Well-being Assessment (Adult - 12 items) - 100 Million Healthier Lives. Each item is an 11-point scale (score range: 0(worst) to 10(best)). Higher scores indicate better perceived health and well-being.
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Fair Haven
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGHill North and South
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGNewhallville
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGWest Rock/West Hills
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
RECRUITINGTime frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months
Change in financial security
Financial readiness for an emergency will be assessed using a survey among the recruited participants. The measure is based on one 5-point item (score range: 1(worst) to 5(best)) measuring financial capability.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months