CE25-025 - Preventing ACES with Linkages and Stronger Systems (PALSS)

About This Grant

Project Summary/Abstract This study brings together researchers and subject matter experts from NORC at the University of Chicago and George Washington University with experience using innovative, integrated mixed research methods that combine systems and complexity informed evaluation (SCIE) and culturally responsive equity evaluation (CREE) approaches to evaluate community-level primary prevention interventions. In this project, the research team will evaluate the Mississippi-based program, LINK. LINK is a community-level initiative to build community capacity to prevent childhood adversity and maltreatment and promote health equity in Mississippi by strengthening local primary prevention ecosystems of social and economic services and supports. This project will fill a gap in the current community change literature by identifying the effectiveness of LINK— an existing primary prevention approach that addresses community-level conditions and strengthens economic supports to families—in preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) at the county level. This objective will be met by accomplishing the following aims: Aim 1: To evaluate the systems-strengthening capabilities of the community approach, LINK, and identify variations in LINK implementation and structure across Mississippi counties Aim 2: To evaluate the impact of LINK on county-level child abuse and neglect (CAN) and domestic violence (DV) rates Aim 3: To evaluate the role of community capacity as a mediator of the effect of LINK on county-level CAN and DV To address Aim 1, this study will administer a survey of community capacity across the state of Mississippi, document and describe LINK implementation, and conduct a thorough program and policy document and data review. To meet Aim 2, this study will conduct county fixed effects outcome models using child welfare administrative data to determine the effectiveness of LINK in reducing rates of child abuse and neglect and domestic violence at the county level across Mississippi. To address Aim 3, the results of the state-wide survey will be used to measure community capacity at the county-level, and this measure will be included in outcome models as a mediator of the impact of LINK on CAN and DV rates. Finally, to address Aim 1 & 2, qualitative, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the outcomes identified in previous analyses, and LINK’s connection to those outcomes, through a process called outcome harvesting. These interwoven study activities are rigorous and equitable, ensuring community voice is present at all phases of the research with a focus on understanding the role of building community capacity in prevention of adversity and promotion of health equity at the community level.