Training & Technical Assistance Projects

JIRN works with local, state, and federal agencies to provide justice-related training and technical assistance (TTA). We work with Office of Justice Programs agencies to provide training and technical assistance on many criminal and juvenile justice issues. Below is a listing of current and selected past TTA projects.

Current Projects

Incident-Based Reporting Resource Center

JIRN is providing information to state and local researchers and analysts to facilitate their use of incident-based reporting (IBR) data, either from state systems or from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). JIRN’s Incident-Based Reporting Resource Center, funded by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, provides information and tools to facilitate the use and understanding of IBR data. The site includes information, reports, and examples for analyzing IBR and NIBRS data using SPSS, SAS, and ACCESS.

For more information, visit the project website at http://www.incidentbased.org, or contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

Law Enforcement-Based Direct Victim Services & Technical Assistance Program

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), with funding from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), partnered with the Justice Information Resource Network (JIRN) and the Center for Victim Research to carry out several research activities under the Law Enforcement-Based Direct Victim Services & Technical Assistance Program (LEV TTA). Through the LEV program, IACP supports agencies in either establishing brand new victim services programs in law enforcement agencies or enhancing existing programs. There is a dearth of research on law enforcement-based victim services, however, there is a lot of interest in this area. The research component to the LEV TTA program will help inform IACP’s work and make sure agencies are supported with data and research assistance. JIRN is very grateful to be engaged in several activities under the LEV TTA program with IACP including administering the LEV Mapping Survey, facilitating mini-grant research and evaluation projects of partnerships between LEV Grantees and research partners, and conducting six case studies of variously situated LEV Grantees.

For more information about this project, please contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.
More Information

State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers: Training and Technical Assistance Program

BJS has long supported the establishment and operation of Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) in the states and territories to collect, analyze, and report statistics on crime and justice to Federal, state, and local levels of government, and to share state-level information nationally. The information produced by SACs and their involvement in criminal justice projects has been and will continue to be critical to local, state, and Federal criminal justice agencies and community organizations as they develop programs and policies related to crime, illegal drugs, victim services, and the administration of justice.

The State Justice Statistics Program (SJS) is designed to maintain and enhance each state’s capacity to address criminal justice issues through the collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides limited funds to each state to coordinate statistical activities within the state, conduct research as needed to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve a liaison role in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) are units or agencies at the State government level that use operational, management, and research information from all components of the criminal justice system to conduct objective analyses of statewide and systemwide policy issues. SACs vary in their placement within the State government structures. Some are within a criminal justice or general State planning or coordinating agency; some are part of a governor’s advisory staff; and others are in a line agency such as the State police, attorney general’s office, or department of corrections. There are several housed in universities and one SAC is a registered non-profit public benefit corporation. Currently, most SACs (68%) are housed within their State Administering Agency (SAA), the location of SAAs varies from state to state. There are currently SACs in 51 states and territories.

The SACs perform various activities, including collecting, analyzing, and distributing criminal justice data, conducting policy-relevant research, and designing and implementing automated information systems. SACs play an important role in developing criminal and juvenile justice policy at the state and local levels. Their research provides the evidence that policymakers use to guide their decision-making. By furthering the use of evidence-based practices in their states, SACs promote the effective and efficient administration of criminal and juvenile justice. Contact information for all the SACs is available on the JIRN website.

Each State Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) is led by a SAC Director who manages the day-to-day operations of the SAC. The SAC Director has extensive knowledge of research methodology and statistical analysis techniques, as well as the ability to design and conduct research studies, and produce and present findings in written and oral presentations. Additionally, the SAC Director is familiar with the factors, issues, and processes involved in crime and the criminal justice system. The SAC Director is able to communicate effectively and maintain sound working relationships with all levels of staff, employees from other agencies, and public officials. A degree, with major studies in mathematics/statistics, computer science, criminology or a related social sciences field with emphasis on research methodology, from an accredited college or university is required.

The primary focus of the State Justice Statistics Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program for the Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) is to strengthen and enhance SACs’ core capacity to collect, analyze and publish statistical data. Located in 49 states as well as the District of Columbia and two territories, the SACs play a critical role in analyzing criminal justice data to assist in developing sound public policies and determining their impact. With priorities dictated by the needs of the state, SACs use operational, management, and research information from all components of the justice system to analyze justice policies and issues, evaluate criminal justice programs, and provide research and statistical analysis support to practitioners, policymakers, and the public. The goals of JIRN’s efforts under this program are to enhance the data collection, statistical analysis, applied research, and information dissemination capabilities of the SACs.

For more information, contact Jason Trask at jtrask@jirn.org.

This project is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Past Projects

Building Capacity for Performance Measurement and Evaluation (BCPME)

The purpose of the BCPME project is to improve the capacity of the Washington D.C. Justice Grants Administration and Victim Services (OJGAVS) sub-grantees to collect high-quality program data through a series of collaborative workshops conducted by JIRN. Workshop topics include overviews of evidence-based practices, performance measurement, and process evaluation. Project activities emphasize a collaborative learning environment so that grantees can build and share knowledge to maximize their organizational capacity and be more effective, efficient, and sustainable. JIRN also provides direct technical assistance to sub-grantees in the areas of data collection and reporting. Future analysis of performance measurement data will inform OJGAVS’ long-term strategy of supporting best practices for each of its funding priorities.

For more information about this project, please contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

Project Documents

The goal of BCPME is to build a collaborative learning environment, through the lens of data and performance measurement, so that grantees can build and share knowledge to maximize their organizational capacity to be more effective, efficient, and sustainable. See Chin, J. (2006) for more about this type of collaborative learning effort.

Center for Victim Research (CVR)

JIRN, in conjunction with the Urban Institute (Urban) and the National Center for Victims of Crime, and with funding from OVC, is carrying out a project designed to provide information on victim-related research, evaluation, and evidence-based practices to victim services providers across the country. This project proposal has five distinct and complementary goals: (1) building and institutionalizing capacity through an infusion of technology, training and innovation to ensure that the field is equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century; (2) promoting the collection and use of data collected; (3) increasing the volume of relevant data and research-based evidence for determining the impact of a policy, program, or practice; (4) supporting the production and dissemination of translated research; and (5) enhancing the ability of, and opportunities for, researchers and practitioners to work together.

For more information, visit the project website at wwww.victimresearch.org, or contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

This website is funded through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) Training and Technical Assistance Center

The DCRA TTA Center aims to increase state-level compliance with DCRA reporting requirements, improve the understanding of why deaths in custody occur, and develop solutions to prevent avoidable deaths.

The DCRA TTA Center has three components that further information sharing and foster peer-to-peer learning.

First, the DCRA collection within JIRN’s Justice Research Academy will provide online meeting capabilities, on-demand learning modules, virtual training support, and a comprehensive course catalog to enhance the availability of learning opportunities for SAAs and DCRA reporters.

Second, the online discussion boards serve as a place where interested parties can build a sense of community online and asynchronously exchange information regarding DCRA planning, implementation, and reporting.

Third, the DCRA TTA Center can provide onsite and virtual TTA to SAAs and other DCRA reporters. Center staff or our team of subject matter experts (SMEs) will provide the requested assistance.

For more information visit the project website at www.jirn/DCRA-TTA, or contact us at dcra@jirn.org.

This project is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Law Enforcement-Based Direct Victim Services & Technical Assistance Program

For more information about this project, please contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.
More Information

National Census of Victim Service Providers

The 2023 National Census of Victim Service Providers is a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics project being carried out through a cooperative agreement with the Justice Information Resource Network. This data collection was previously administered in 2017. The NCVSP is critical to understanding the current landscape of victim services across the country and providing national data on victim service provision and characteristics of victim service providers. By accurately gathering information on all provider organizations, we can identify gaps in services and funding needs for programs responding to the needs of crime victims and survivors in communities nationwide.

For more information, visit the project website at https://victimresearch.org/ncvsp-2023/, or contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

Smart Suite Training and Technical Assistance

The goal of this project is to support the development, enhancement, and translation of research and knowledge of research-practitioner partnerships in each of the Smart Suite programs.

The Objectives are: establishing or expanding evidence-based practices in all of the Smart Suite programs; collecting and analyzing criminal justice and public safety data; using data to identify criminal justice- and public safety-related problems; assessing implementation fidelity; measuring program outcomes; using data to determine program effectiveness; evidence translation and how to communicate findings to diverse audiences; making recommendations for program improvement and sustainability; developing “real-time” products and resources for strategic decision-making; tracking and supporting dissemination of research and knowledge in the Smart Suite Program; and communicating with a wide variety of audiences.

For more information, visit the project webpage at https://smartsuiteacademy.org, or contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

Understanding, Promoting, and Sustaining the Use of Research and Evidence-Based Practices by State Administering Agencies

JIRN, in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association and with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, carried out a project to provide assistance to the State Administering Agencies (SAA) in understanding and implementing evidence-based practices in their states. JIRN surveyed the SAA directors regarding EBPs in their states, and also conducted a literature review. The interviews captured information regarding the varying definitions of evidence-based practices that are employed by the SAAs, research and evaluation resources available to the SAAs and their sub-grantees, and the ways these agencies structure priorities and program decisions based on the needs of their respective states. In addition, respondents provided feedback about factors that facilitate or constrain their involvement in evidence-based practices.

As a result of this effort, JIRN, NCJA, and BJA partnered to present an Executive Session on Evidence-Based Policy and Practice. The session, held on January 8 and 9, 2013, brought together over 100 executive staff of state agencies designated by Governors to manage federal criminal justice assistance, directors of the states’ Statistical Analysis Centers (SAC), and federal officials from the Office of Justice Programs and BJA.

JIRN, in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), produced a series of “toolkits” on promoting the use of evidence-based practices in State Administering Agencies (SAAs). These toolkits include a briefing paper, an executive summary, and a slideshow. The slideshows can be tailored by SAAs to highlight their own efforts in promoting evidence-based practices in their state. An online class, consisting of the information provided in the toolkits as well as supplemental information, was also developed.

For more information about this project, please contact Susan Howley at showley@jirn.org.

Project Documents

Toolkit 1: An Introduction to Evidence-Based Practices

Toolkit 1: An Introduction to Evidence-Based Practices – Executive Summary

Toolkit 2: Implementing Evidence-Based Practices

Toolkit 2: Implementing Evidence-Based Practices – Executive Summary

Toolkit 3: Sustaining Evidence-Based Practices

Toolkit 3: Sustaining Evidence-Based Practices – Executive Summary