The data reflected in this report highlights important information about the scope of data collection and key findings for a selection of the County’s evidence-based programs provided in schools during the 2021-22 school year. WestEd has been funded by the Office of Drug and Alcohol in Montgomery County to assist in evaluation planning, program evaluation implementation, and comprehensive reporting of alcohol and drug programming in the county. WestEd has designed data collection procedures, trained providers on data collection, and conducted analyses of the evaluation data collected from students participating in evidence-based programs provided in Montgomery County schools as well as other prevention programming offered throughout the county.
Public Health
Technology-Facilitated Crimes Against Children
Technology-facilitated crimes against children present challenges for law enforcement. To understand the repercussions of these crimes and how they are investigated, WestEd researcher Ashley Boal led the publication of a chapter, “Technology-Facilitated Crimes Against Children: The Scope of the Problem and Interventions,” published in Interpersonal Violence Against Children and Youth. Boal presents an overview of technology-facilitated crimes against children, discusses interventions, and summarizes knowledge about training for law enforcement. The chapter builds on our U.S. Department of Justice evaluation of training provided to investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
An Evaluation of Able Works’s Healthy Relationships Program for Justice-Involved Youth
Building a Smarter Prevention System: A Multiyear Substance Use Evaluation in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Evaluating Substance Abuse Programs in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Building on our team’s success and impactful leadership in the state, we are continuing our partnership with the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) in Berks County, Pennsylvania, to evaluate programming related to prevention of substance misuse. The goal of the evaluation is to lead improved understanding of the implementation and results of prevention programs in districts, schools, and communities across the county. Our team is designing data collection procedures, training COCA staff on data collection, and providing analysis and reporting for programs provided in schools, as well as other community-based prevention programming. We will also assist the county in its needs assessment process and reporting.