Our Research
What We Study
We conduct applied research on criminal and juvenile justice, behavioral health, and substance use systems, with a focus on how policies, practices, and decision-making processes shape individual and system-level outcomes.
Our work examines patterns of arrest, referral, diversion, and system contact; access to mental health and substance use treatment and services; youth and adult justice system involvement; and variation in justice responses across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
We analyze how systems operate in practice, including where disparities, service gaps, implementation challenges, and coordination barriers emerge, and translate rigorous research into actionable insights that support transparency, accountability, and sustained system improvement.
Expert Consulting
What We Consult On
We provide expert consulting in justice, mental health, and substance use. We work with organizations, educational institutions, and media partners to deliver research-informed training, technical assistance, strategic planning, operational support, and policy analysis.
Our consulting also extends to television and film, where we serve as subject-matter experts to support accurate, ethical, and realistic portrayals of justice and behavioral health systems.
Parent Pal
How We Support Families
Parent Pal is an evidence-informed support service designed to help parents and caregivers navigate challenges related to youth behavior, mental health, and system involvement. Services include individual coaching sessions, practical guidance grounded in developmental and behavioral research, and a complimentary introductory support call.
Parent Pal operates with a strong emphasis on confidentiality, respect, and family-centered support.
Click on parent-pal.com to get started!
AAJJRS
How We Advance Research
The American Association of Juvenile Justice Researchers & Scholars (AAJJRS) advances and disseminates research on juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, and youth victimization.
AAJJRS supports a diverse community of researchers, scholars, practitioners, and students committed to evidence-based approaches and rigorous scholarship in juvenile justice. AAJJRS fosters collaboration, professional development, and engagement through publications, events, podcasts, and blogs. AAJJRS also publishes a public-facing Substack that shares research-informed insights on juvenile justice with audiences beyond the academic community.
To learn more about AAJJRS and join, click on aajjrs.org.
Police Accountability, Oversight & Transparency
What We Advise
We provide research, policy, and technical assistance support related to police accountability, transparency, and oversight systems. We support agencies, oversight bodies, and community stakeholders seeking to strengthen evidence-informed accountability practices, data transparency, governance structures, and public trust.
Our experience includes engagement with police accountability and oversight boards, policy and procedure review, accountability frameworks, governance and operational considerations, and disciplinary review and oversight processes.
We also provide support related to:
- Oversight and accountability metrics
- Administrative and stop-data analysis
- Public-facing reporting and transparency strategies
- Research translation and policy briefs
- Community-informed accountability approaches
- Monitoring and implementation support
- Equity and disparity analysis
- Data interpretation and technical assistance
We approach this work through a research-informed, systems-focused lens that emphasizes practical implementation, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making.
Knowledge Sharing
What We Will Share
We are expanding our efforts to make research and expertise more accessible to communities, practitioners, and policymakers.
- Ask an Expert
We will soon launch free public sessions where participants can ask subject-matter experts about criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health, and substance use issues. These sessions are designed to translate complex topics into practical, accessible guidance. Stay tuned.
- Infographics and Factsheets
We develop research-informed infographics and fact sheets to support planning, education, and policy development in criminal and juvenile justice, behavioral health, and substance use. Custom infographics are also available upon request to meet community and organizational needs.
- Podcast on Mental Health
We will soon launch a podcast focused on mental health, featuring conversations with leading experts. Episodes will explore topics such as the classification of mental disorders, evidence-based treatments, case management, holistic and group-based approaches, and emerging practices. Stay tuned.