How can we measure the success of DHS prevention programs?

Evaluating Terrorism Prevention Programs

So What?

DHS has given millions of dollars in prevention grants to communities across the U.S. But the department lacks an overall view of how well these programs work. While measuring prevention programs is, in itself, a difficult task, the department nevertheless needs to show return on its investment in this critical area.

Project Summary

This project will evaluate DHS-funded local prevention programs that try to help communities, nonprofits, and other institutions prevent terrorism. The research team will also create tools to assist with future evaluation activities.

Purpose/Objectives

This project will evaluate two DHS-funded  prevention programs – the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program and Invent2Prevent. Overall, this effort will contribute to evidence-based research on promising practices for locally based frameworks for preventing terrorism.

Method

In this project, researchers will collect qualitative and quantitative data from selected DHS programs. Methods will include interviews with staff, focus groups, surveys, and observations to assess the programs. Researchers also will use best practices identified in a literature review to create a final report and an evaluation toolbox.

---

Reports and Publications

NCITE

TVTP Grant Program Formative and Outcome Evaluation Report

This comprehensive report outlines the findings of the research team following a multi-year evaluation of the DHS TVTP Grant Program.

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center

Invent2Prevent (I2P) Program Evaluation: Process & Preliminary Outcomes Evaluation Report

This report, authored by the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, includes process evaluation findings and preliminary outcomes from archival data provided by the I2P program.

---

Research Team

Matt Allen, Ph.D.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Assistant Professor of Management
• College of Business Administration
• Head of Business Strategy at NCITE
• Expertise: Applied research, solution implementation

Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles, Ph.D.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Associate Professor
• College of Business Administration
• Expertise: Entrepreneurship, innovation, global strategy

Nick Arreola, Ph.D.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Instructor
• College of Business Administration

Denise Bulling, Ph.D.

• University of Nebraska – Lincoln
• Senior Research Director at UNL Public Policy Center

Sarah Cook

• RTI International
• Director of Security and Extremism Research Program

Andrea Walker, Ph.D.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Research Associate at NCITE