OJJDP News at a Glance: Implementing Blueprints for Violence Prevention

The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at the University of Colorado at Boulder launched the Blueprints for Violence Prevention project in 1996 to identify programs that effectively reduce juvenile violence, aggression, delinquency, and substance abuse. To meet the Blueprints criteria, a program must be formally evaluated, demonstrate significant treatment effects, sustain these effects for at least a year, be replicated in at least one location, and have benefits that exceed costs.

To date, CSPV has reviewed some 600 programs. Eleven have been identified as Blueprints programs (see sidebar), and another 21 have been designated as promising programs. OJJDP has partnered with CSPV to promote replication of the Blueprints models by providing sites with detailed handbooks and training and technical assistance.

During summer 2003, OJJDP informally surveyed state juvenile justice specialists about implementation of the Blueprints programs. Of the 46 states that provided information, 40 have implemented one or more programs. The most widely implemented programs are Multisystemic Therapy (30 states), Functional Family Therapy (21 states), Big Brothers Big Sisters (15 states), and the Bullying Prevention Program (12 states). Funding for Blueprints implementation comes from OJJDP formula and block grants (21 states), state/local/private sources (19 states), or a combination of OJJDP grants and other sources (9 states).

For additional information about the Blueprints project, visit the OJJDP Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ojjdp, click on Programs, and select Search.

	Blueprints Programs
	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a nationwide mentoring program.
	Bullying Prevention Program, a school-based intervention to reduce and prevent bullying.
	Functional Family Therapy, a family therapy diversion program for at-risk youth with behavior disorders.
	The Incredible Years, three curriculums to promote emotional and social competence in young children.
	Life Skills Training, an intervention designed to prevent or reduce gateway drug use in preteens.
	The Midwestern Prevention Program, a community-based adolescent drug abuse prevention program.
	Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, an alternative to confinement or detention for chronic juvenile offenders with behavior or drug abuse problems.
	Multisystemic Therapy, a multidimensional, home-based family therapy program designed for young chronic and violent offenders.
	Nurse-Family Partnership, a nurse home visitation program for pregnant, first-time mothers.
	Project Toward No Drug Abuse, a drug abuse prevention program for high school-age youth.
	Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies, a program that promotes emotional and social competency and reduces aggression and behavior problems in grade school children.