WEI PROJECTS
To find out more about our available resources, contact WEI.
Wellbeing and Equity Innovations (WEI) maintains an ongoing schedule of cooperative projects in partnerships throughout the country. WEI conducts research, trials, workshops, training and other programs tailored to your needs.
WELLBEING DEVELOPMENT
Our Wellbeing Development focus is dedicated to enhancing the behavioral health and stability of individuals and families, particularly those impacted by the criminal legal and justice systems.
We address critical issues such as mental health, trauma recovery, and social support for those navigating the challenges of community stability.
Our initiatives aim to build resilient communities where families are supported, behavioral health needs are met, and individuals affected by the justice system can thrive.
WELLBEING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
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Breaking the Cycle of Violence with Trauma-Informed Diversion
The project aims to disrupt the accelerating cycle of violence in Indianapolis by testing a novel trauma-informed diversion program that engages adult defendants who are victims of nonfatal shootings and are now facing criminal charges. [SEE PDF] This project addresses the victim-offender overlap as a key strategy for intervening on community violence. Funding Partner: Joyce Foundation
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Studying Resilience: Impact of Trauma, Substance Use, & Incarceration on Young Adults
Using a national cohort study this study examines social resiliency mechanisms during emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) that attenuate the effects of trauma, substance use, and incarceration for tailored interventions. Doing so will provide guidance on preventing young people’s entrenchment in the US criminal legal system and reduce related health and social disparities. Funding Partner: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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Long-Term Evaluation of the 5-Key Model for Reentry conducted by the Research Triangle Institute
This research involves a long-term evaluation of the 5-Key Model for Reentry. The goal of this effort is to determine the effectiveness of the 5-Key Model at reducing recidivism, conduct a cost-benefit analysis, study the link between violent recidivism and traumatic-brain injuries, and understand the reentry experience for 5-Key Model participants. Funding Partner: National Institute of Justice
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Trauma-Informed Reentry Services for Young Adults: A Multi-Site Study
This randomized controlled trial examines the mediators and effectiveness of a comprehensive trauma-based reentry program for young men (aged 18-35) assessed as violent and/or moderate- to high-risk for recidivism as they release from prison to the community. Funding Partner: National Institute of Justice
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Infusing Wellbeing and Peer Support Into Reentry
Using an unprecedented approach, WEI and Nebraska officials have partnered to transform the culture of reentry with a focus on wellbeing and remarkable engagement of peer support beginning on Day 1 of a person’s incarceration. This project adapted the 5-Key Model for Reentry [SEE PDF] to be delivered by peers and staff residing and working in correctional facilities. Anonymous Funder
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Behavioral Health Literacy Interventions in Incarceration Settings
A significant knowledge gap exists regarding whether incarcerated individuals understand the role of Behavioral Health Disorders (BHDs) in their lives, the symptoms being treated, and how to access available resources. This project aims to advance behavioral health literacy (BHL) among carceral residents and staff to improve clinical practice by developing and pilot-testing interventions in prisons. Funding Partner: National Institute of Health
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Alternative Prosecution Program for Positive Outcomes
The Alternative Prosecution for Positive Outcomes (APPO) program aims to break the cycle of violence in Atlantic County. APPO focuses on individuals who are victims of nonfatal shootings, individuals at risk of retaliation, and other victims of violence. [SEE PDF] The program provides therapy, violence prevention, and trauma treatment, along with support for substance abuse, mental health, employment, education, and housing and aftercare and family supports. Funding Partner: New Jersey Attorney General’s Office
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Retaining Talent: Training to Support Second Chance Hires
This project expands the Retaining Talent Initiative to bridge the gap between employers and an untapped, skilled workforce. This project engages organizations to implement strategies for second chance hiring, promotion, and retention, focusing on integrating individuals with incarceration histories into the workforce. We provide businesses with training and resources to support these hires, establish partnerships with correctional facilities to prepare individuals for reentry, and create a comprehensive model that can be replicated across Florida and beyond to enhance employment opportunities and community prosperity. Funding Partner: JPMorgan Chase Foundation
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TRANSFORM Nebraska and Support4Families
The project focuses on implementing Support4Families [SEE PDF], a group-based intervention that provides skills training, emotional support, and resources to families of individuals released from prison, helping them navigate the challenges of reintegration. The TRANSFORM Nebraska Network will bring together stakeholders from various sectors to address stigma, systemic barriers, and gaps in services that impact successful reintegration. Led by NDCS and WEI, these initiatives aim to create a replicable model for other states, enhancing family support and building safer, more resilient communities. Anonymous Funder
RACIAL EQUITY
We are committed to advancing Racial Equity within the criminal legal and justice systems by challenging systemic inequities and promoting fair treatment.
Our work involves dismantling barriers that perpetuate racial disparities from initial law enforcement contact to incarceration, sentencing, and reentry, ensuring that race does not determine outcomes in justice, health, or economic stability.
Through research, education, and community engagement, we strive to create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.
RACIAL EQUITY PROJECTS
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Advancing Racial Equity and Improving Jail Culture
The overall project goal is to establish a process of rigorous community-engaged racial equity intervention development and data driven quality improvement process for conditions of confinement. Our goal with this transformative project is to produce a replicable, innovative, efficient, and effective community-engaged model to promote racial equity in jail and other legal system settings. Funding Partner: McArthur Foundation
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Transforming Health Equity in Primary Care: Antiracism as Key Intervention
The project proposes a transformative approach to improving health equity by engaging communities to develop a system map of racism in integrated primary care and establishing a process for developing, simulating, and measuring effects of new antiracism interventions in health care. Funding Partner: National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities
RESEARCH
Our Research efforts are focused on the criminal legal and justice systems, rooted in rigorous scientific inquiry, research-practitioner partnerships, and community collaboration.
We conduct randomized controlled trials, causal and qualitative studies, and quality improvement initiatives to generate evidence that informs best practices in justice reform.
By engaging in community participatory research methods, we ensure that our studies are grounded in the lived experiences of those most directly impacted by the justice system, leading to innovative and sustainable solutions that address real-world challenges.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
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Cost-Benefit Analysis of Prosecutor Diversion Programs
This study examines the costs and benefits of prosecutor diversion programming to reduce recidivism while addressing racial and ethnic disparities. Funding Partner: Arnold Ventures
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Rural Violent Crime Reduction: A Field Review
Although most public attention is focused on violence in urban communities, violence in rural communities occurs at striking rates. The WEI Team collaborates with LISC Safety & Justice to elevate lessons learned from the field and highlight opportunities for future high-impact work. Funding Partner: Local Initiatives Support Corporation
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Holistic Services Public Defense Evaluation
This project is an evaluation of the Holistic Defense Services Program (HDSP) in seven trial offices in the state. The process evaluation will examine issues of feasibility and acceptability of HDSP including staffing configurations required, sustainability, and staff and client satisfaction with the HDSP approach. The impact evaluation will assess program completion, disposition, re-arrest, and criminal charges and convictions. Funding Partner: Missouri State Public Defender
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JCOIN 2.0 Coordination and Translation Center
The project is a renewal of the JCOIN 2.0 Coordination and Translation Center (CTC), which aims to advance the use of scientific knowledge in legal, community, and health settings to address the needs of individuals involved in the criminal legal system (CLS) who are at greater risk for overdose. The CTC will focus on several key objectives: disseminating research to reduce the gap between evidence and practice, engaging stakeholders meaningfully, expanding outreach and capacity building for practitioners and organizations, and implementing strategies to enhance the translation of research findings into actionable practices. Key innovations include the introduction of a Lived Experience Panel, testing a new framework (I-TranSS) for implementation in low-cost studies, providing research opportunities through the LEAP program, and prioritizing health equity in all efforts. The project will also continue to develop the workforce and early career researchers while expanding its impact through targeted technical assistance, training, and dissemination activities. Funding Partner: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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RNR Simulation Program Tool
Our team is working with rural and urban counties in Pennsylvania to implement the RNR Program Tool for Adults, developed by Faye Taxman. The tool compares the primary needs of clients to the available programming in the county. Many agencies face challenges engaging treatment provider networks and understanding available community programming. By examining jurisdictional capacity, we can identify important service gaps for both sub-populations and the overall client base, guiding effective and targeted interventions. Funding Partner: George Mason University
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Quality Improvement for Programs Serving Criminal Legal and Justice-Involved Individuals
The purpose of this initiative is to assist the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) to improve the quality of 80 programs geared towards working with individuals that are violence-prone, involved in the criminal legal system, and/or diverted from the criminal legal system. The emphasis is programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, reentry, supervised release, employment services, and transitional housing. The goal is to bolster the quality of direct services provided by provider organizations for justice and legal system involved individuals. Funding Partner: Mayors Office of New York City
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Comparative Effectiveness of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs in State Prisons
This research study will compare the long-term effectiveness of two unique substance use disorder interventions, Therapeutic Communities (TC)s and Interactive Journaling, to treatment as usual (TAU) for male and female individuals incarcerated in Florida prisons who are in need of substance use disorder treatment. The primary outcome of interest for this study will be reincarcerated to a Florida Department of Correction facility for any reason. Funding Partner: Arnold Ventures