What’s Science Got to Do With It? Shaping Public Policy on Violence

Prevention

Charles J. Homer

What does it take to move policy?

• Political will • Scientific evidence

base • Social

Infrastructure

2

Brain Science and Political Will

• Potential to challenge core beliefs about crime: – Core belief 1: Bad people cause crime – Core belief 2: Criminal behavior inevitable result of

inadequate parenting – Core belief 3: Criminal behavior results directly from

lack of alternative means of economic support – Core belief 4: Toughness is the only effective strategy

• Gives an opening for public support for

alternatives strategies for violence prevention… with risks

3

Mobilizing Political Will

• Grass roots movement • Windows of opportunity • Motivated leaders • Convergence of interests

Brain Science and Evidence Base

• The long game: – Early childhood education – Parent education and support – Directly addressing conditions of disadvantage:

• Exposure to violence, substance use, homelessness

Brain Science and Evidence Base

• The shorter term game: – Developing “executive function” capabilities in

adolescence and young adulthood – Recognizing impact of “trauma” and adjusting

approaches (mental health, policing, human services) accordingly

Cure Violence

• Theory based intervention – Theory of contagion/infectious disease – Tie to brain science…through trauma

• Very good evidence of effectiveness • Diffusion of innovation / natural spread • What will it take to get to “tipping point”?

Evidence and Policy 2008-2016

• Tiered evidence initiatives – Home Visiting – Teen Pregnancy Prevention

• Evidence-based Policymaking Commission Act of 2016

• Other arenas (health care): Cost savings

8

Social Infrastructure

• Potential obstacle to spread • Is this a public health function (Baltimore) • Human services function

– community action agencies

• Education • Policing

9

Examples of Relevant HHS and Other Federal Policies

Two Generation Strategies

Federal Interagency Re-Entry Council

Federal Interagency Re-Entry Council

Reenty Mythbuster Series

Reenty Mythbuster Series

Federal Agencies Change Hiring

Reenty Mythbuster Series

Federal Agencies Change Hiring

Reenty Mythbuster Series

Federal Agencies Change Hiring

Performance Partnership Pilots

Thank you!

Charles J. Homer, MD, MPH Deputy Assistant Secretary, Human Services Policy - ASPE/HHS

(202) -690-7409 – charles.homer@hhs.gov