The EPISCenter was established in 2008 with funds from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Aims and Goals
The Center seeks to promote the greater use and support of evidence-based prevention programs throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its primary goal is to advance high-quality implementation, impact assessment, and sustainability of programs to maximize the positive impact of prevention science on outcomes for youth.
Activities
To support and advance the use of evidence-based programs, the EPISCenter:
- Directs outreach and advocacy efforts to foster recognition, at the federal, state, and community levels, of the value and impact of proven prevention and intervention programs.
- Provides technical assistance to communities to improve implementation quality, promote the collection and use of program impact data, and foster proactive planning for long-term program sustainability.
- Develops resources, provides educational opportunities, and facilitates peer networking to disseminate current prevention science research.
- Conducts original research to inform more effective prevention practice and the successful dissemination of evidence-based programs.
Background
Under Pennsylvania’s Evidence-based
Delinquency and Violence Prevention
Programs Initiative, the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and
Delinquency (PCCD) has shaped a
strategy guided by science to impact
delinquency, violence, and substance
use. Through grants to local
communities, Pennsylvania has
purposefully chosen to invest in
disseminating proven effective
programs targeting youth problem
behaviors.
The programs supported under this
initiative have each been nationally
recognized as effective by federal and
state agencies and prevention science
organizations. Each has demonstrated
evidence of positive outcomes that
have been sustained over time. The
effects have been found using
scientifically rigorous evaluations, with
findings replicated in multiple
evaluations. As such, these programs
represent the greatest potential for
effectively preventing and reducing
delinquency.
Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Programs
The initiative supports the following
evidence-based prevention and
intervention programs:
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
- LifeSkills Training
- Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies
- The Incredible Years
- Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Project Towards No Drug Abuse
- Multisystemic Therapy
- Functional Family Therapy
- Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care
EPISCenter Staff
Brian Bumbarger, Director
Sandee Kyler, Assistant Director for Technical Assistance
Liz Kulling, Staff Assistant
Brittany Rhoades, Lead Evaluator
Kim Peters, Prevention Coordinator
Kimberly McCarthy, Prevention Coordinator
Clay Yeager, Outreach Coordinator
News and Publications
For More Information
EPISCenter
206 Towers Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-2568
Fax: (814) 865-3936
Email: EPISCenter@psu.edu