Evaluating What Works in Community Violence Intervention
Research shows that exposure to community violence and traditional justice system responses can harm mental health and increase the risk of future violence. In contrast, strong social ties and community resources can break this cycle and promote well-being. Community-based organizations, healthcare providers, local leaders, and law enforcement are working to address rising rates of violence in cities like Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.
The Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS) provides coordinated training and technical assistance to build community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystems in high violence areas. CAPS bring together four partners—Cities United, the Community Based Public Safety Collective, the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, and the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform—to (a) reduce gun homicides and nonfatal shootings in eight cities over five years and (b) address structural violence in communities.
There was a recognition that we could do more together than separately. Instead of competing for [grant] dollars, we should leverage each other’s strengths [to] build buy-in nationally for this model of community violence intervention.
-CAPS Program Manager
The CAPS Evaluation
With support from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education and Ballmer Group, AIR is evaluating how CAPS works by collecting qualitative data from CVI practitioners and analyzing gun violence trends in cities receiving CAPS support.
Key questions include:
What are the necessary conditions for implementing CAPS strategies?
How do CVI ecosystem practitioners apply CAPS recommended strategies?
What is the correlation between gun violence trends and cities receiving CAPS support?
This approach reflects a shift toward addressing violence as a public health issue. By coordinating support across sectors, CAPS strengthens local organizations, promotes trauma-informed practices, and builds lasting ecosystems to reduce violence.
Findings from the study will be shared through policy- and practitioner-focused briefs in 2026 to support ongoing work to reduce gun violence.
