Project Description
This research project strengthens youth gun-violence prevention and support by combining three things:
- A clear map of what exists: a living inventory of local programs and services
- Community voice: listening to youth and families most impacted, including victims and survivors
- Practical next steps: recommendations partners can act on to improve coordination, reduce gaps, and invest in what works
Our goal is simple: make support easier to find and easier to reach—and make it easier for partners to work together.
Phase 1: Map what exists + review what works
We are building a living inventory of local youth violence prevention and victim/survivor support programs, and creating shared categories so services are easy to understand and compare. In parallel, we will complete a short literature review of evidence-based strategies and national policy approaches that could fit locally.
Phase 2: Choose a focus area + build safe engagement tools
Using data and partner input, we select a target area for deeper learning. We will also develop the tools for Phase 3—interview guides, recruitment materials, and safety/confidentiality steps—so the engagement is respectful, trauma-informed, and realistic for participants.
Phase 3: Listen to impacted youth and families + turn input into action
We plan to conduct interviews with youth and impacted families (including victims/survivors of gun violence) to understand needs, barriers to accessing help, and what trusted support looks like. We will then synthesize findings into clear themes and a set of practical recommendations and next steps for partners—focused on coordination, equity, feasibility, and impact.
Project Team
This project is sponsored by Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon and led by the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council.
Advisory Committee
- Dr. Kyla Armstrong-Romero — Director, Juvenile Services Division, Multnomah County Department of Community Justice
- Dr. Christopher Campbell — Associate Professor, Dept of Criminology and Director of Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute, Portland State University
- Kimberly Dixon — Youth Violence Prevention Advocate
- Ronnie Fa'avae — Youth Violence Prevention & Response Manager, Portland Public Schools
- Keeble Giscombe — Former Director, Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, Oregon Youth Authority
- Yolanda Gonzalez — Senior Manager, Direct Clinical Services, Behavioral Health Division, Multnomah County Health Department
- Chief Travis Gullberg — Chief of Police, Gresham Police Department
- Lionel Irving — Founder and Executive Director, Love is Stronger
- Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon — Multnomah County Commissioner, District 4
- Mika Keegstra — Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Public Health Division, Multnomah County Health Department
- Charlene McGee — Director, Chronic Disease Prevention and Public Health Promotion, Multnomah County Health Department
Research Team
- Dr. Seyvan Nouri — Research and Policy Manager, LPSCC
- Ashley Graff — Strategy & Policy Director, District 4
- Sarah Mullen — Executive Director, LPSCC
- Enrique Rivera — Project Coordinator, LPSCC
- Christina Youssi — Operations Coordinator, LPSCC
- Jae Collett — PSU Student
- Wendy Karch — PSU Student
- Kit Webster — PSU Student
For more information, contact the project lead, Dr. Seyvan Nouri.