Community Intervention for Adolescent Violence
(SOAR Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to test a community-level program designed to reduce violence and improve well-being among African American youth. The program, called the Integrated Community-Level Intervention, combines culturally responsive practices with schoolwide behavioral support to promote fairness and safety in schools. It specifically targets students facing challenges related to violence or at risk for mental health issues like suicidality. Youth attending a participating school who understand English are eligible to join. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative solutions that could enhance community safety and youth well-being.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for African American youth?
Research has shown that the Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) program helps reduce violence and suicidal thoughts among middle school students. SOAR focuses on building positive relationships and support within schools. As a community-level program, it aims to improve students' environments and experiences without medication. Programs like this typically have a low risk of harm because they emphasize education and behavior change.
Studies of similar programs have reported no serious side effects, suggesting that SOAR is likely safe for participants. The program uses culturally-responsive practices, considering the specific needs and backgrounds of the students. This approach increases the likelihood that participants will find the program both helpful and safe.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Integrated Community-Level Intervention called Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) because it offers a fresh approach to addressing adolescent violence. Unlike typical interventions that might focus solely on punitive measures or individual therapy, SOAR combines Culturally-Responsive Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (C-SWPBS) with Culturally Responsive Practices (CRP) to create a holistic, school-level solution. This year-long program is designed to not only reduce violence but also foster an environment that supports students' overall achievement and resilience, making it a comprehensive strategy that could transform school communities.
What evidence suggests that this intervention is effective for reducing violence among African American youth?
Research has shown that community programs can help reduce violence and suicidal thoughts in teenagers. This trial tests the SOAR program as an intervention to achieve these outcomes by encouraging positive relationships and using culturally aware methods in schools. Past projects, such as the Aban Aya Youth Project, demonstrated that school involvement can reduce violence among young people. This suggests that the SOAR program, which uses similar methods, could help African American youth by reducing violence and improving their quality of life.12678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for African American youth attending participating schools, school personnel employed at these schools, and police from participating precincts. Participants must understand English and be able to give assent or consent.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Implementation of the Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) program, including Culturally-Responsive Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Culturally Responsive Practices
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in violence-related behaviors, perceptions of police, and other outcomes through surveys and archival data
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Integrated Community-Level Intervention
Trial Overview
The study tests a multisystemic prevention program aimed at reducing violence and suicide among African American youth by promoting equity in education and law enforcement systems.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) is an intervention condition consisting of both Culturally-Responsive Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (C-SWPBS) and Culturally Responsive Practices (CRP). It is a year-long, school-level intervention.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of South Alabama
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Collaborator
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and ...
The goal of SOAR is to reduce violence and suicidality in middle school students. How will SOAR do that? SOAR is working to build positive relationships ...
Challenges in Evaluating a Community-Level Intervention to ...
We propose a multiple baseline experimental design to evaluate the impact of a community-level youth violence and suicidality prevention strategy.
Community Intervention for Adolescent Violence (SOAR Trial)
Research shows that community-based interventions, like the Aban Aya Youth Project, can help reduce violent behaviors in adolescents by involving schools, ...
4.
icjia.illinois.gov
icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/community-violence-prevention-intervention-and-suppressionCommunity Violence Prevention, Intervention, and ...
This article uses this framework to provide examples of evidence-based practices and programs that strengthen youth resilience and build social capital and work ...
5.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/380518045_Challenges_in_Evaluating_a_Community-Level_Intervention_to_Address_Root_Causes_of_Youth_ViolenceChallenges in Evaluating a Community-Level Intervention ...
We propose a multiple baseline experimental design to evaluate the impact of a community-level youth violence and suicidality prevention strategy. A multiple ...
SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and ...
SOAR is a multi-system intervention and research program that aims to reduce youth violence and suicidality. We work with school personnel at four middle ...
Connecting the Dots: State Health Department Approaches ...
This includes integrating data sources on violence outcomes (eg, child abuse and neglect, suicide) as well as risk and protective factors (eg, affordable ...
8.
rstreet.org
rstreet.org/research/intervention-over-incarceration-a-limited-government-approach-to-youth-violence/Intervention over Incarceration: A Limited Government ...
Nonfatal violence is even more widespread, with the rate of violent victimization for persons ages 12 to 17 more than doubling from 2021 to 2022 ...
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