The Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support Center (EPISCenter): State-Agency and State-University Partnership for Building State and Community Capacity for Effective Prevention and Intervention

Dr. Stephanie Bradley
Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

The Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support Center (EPISCenter), is a grant-funded project of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) in partnership with the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center at the Pennsylvania State University, and is a US national model for capacity building.
This session will share examples from EPISCenter’s work with PA policy makers and community members to advance evidence-based practices at the state and local levels, a state-agency and state-university partnership to support evidence-informed decision making at the state and local levels.
Community and neighborhood members play important roles in promoting the healthy development of children, youth, and families. They have the best understanding of their local context, and often they are the most likely resource for carrying out activities that address local problems. State agencies develop funding and policy priorities that impact the resources available to communities to address the challenges they face.
Both of these groups – state agencies and community members – can benefit from support from a university partner who can provide expert consultation to build their capacities to use the best research to inform decisions and actions.