Preventing Youth Violence Through Building Equitable Communities

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA · Nov 25, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This trial is testing the SOAR program, a school- and community-based plan designed to prevent violence and suicide among African American youth by addressing racism in schools. The program combines culturally responsive teaching practices with a whole-school behavior approach and involves community partners. Researchers will look to see if SOAR lowers violence by students, reduces suicide risk, and improves school climate and fairness in discipline over time, using data collected from students, teachers, and school records for up to five years.

Who can participate and what to expect: the study invites youth who attend participating schools and can assent (youth) or provide consent (school staff), and they must understand spoken or written English. About 1,600 participants are expected across four communities in Mobile, Alabama. If eligible, students and teachers will complete surveys every three months during the school year for up to five years, and schools will share records on discipline and related incidents. The intervention is delivered for about a year in each school, with ongoing coaching and community involvement. Results from this study are not yet available, and enrollment is currently ongoing by invitation (start 2022, anticipated completion in 2027).

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Youth will be eligible for the study if they attend a participating school, are capable of providing assent, and are able to understand spoken or written English.
• • School personnel will be eligible if they are currently employed at a participating school.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to give assent or consent.