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Key Findings

See the data driving our impact—and why access to proven programs matters more than ever.

Data Drives Impact

Sandy Hook Promise’s universal, upstream violence prevention programs equip parents, caregivers, educators, and youth with the knowledge and skills to strengthen safety in schools, homes, and communities. By fostering a proactive approach to violence prevention, we support efforts to create environments that prioritize well-being and safety. Since 2017, Sandy Hook Promise has partnered with the experts in school safety at the University of Michigan School of Public Health to evaluate whether our programs achieve these outcomes for participating students and schools.

 

Data from these evaluation projects are used to continually update and refine our programs.

 

Watch the video to learn what experts say.

Data Shows Promising Findings

Data Shows Promising Findings

Results from a study conducted with a large school district in the Southeastern United States show that after receiving Sandy Hook Promise trainings, students were more able to recognize warning signs, take them seriously, and get help when needed. These skills combined with access to an anonymous reporting system effectively improve students’ competency, confidence, and intentionality in reporting warning signs.

 

In addition to outcomes around reporting warning signs, findings showed that students held better attitudes about their schools and the presence of stronger relationships between students and adults. These results are tied to longer-term outcomes, including improved school culture and fewer violent acts, overall.

 

Sandy Hook Promise uses findings from these projects to inform improvements to programs and to better serve young people nationally.

Effectiveness of Sandy Hook Promise Prevention Programs

Effectiveness of Sandy Hook Promise Prevention Programs

  • Between January and June 2017, the University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center conducted a case control test within a large urban school district in the Western U.S. to evaluate Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello (SWH) and Say Something (SS) programs.
  • After attending SWH, participants reported improvement in perceptions of school safety.
  • When compared to those that did not attend, SWH participants reported greater willingness to report warning signs of mental distress and threats, as well as more positive relationships with Trusted Adults.
  • After attending the SS program, participants reported significantly fewer aggressive behaviors, more positive attitudes towards school and better perceptions of school safety.

When compared to those that did not attend SS, participants reported more positive relationships with Trusted Adults, and a greater willingness to report signs of mental distress and threats.

Explore More Research from Sandy Hook Promise

Learning Projects

Co-creating local solutions to adapt, expand, and sustain youth violence prevention in diverse communities.

Publications

Published findings show impact, support wider access, and highlight Sandy Hook Promise’s thought leadership.

Sources

Reports in the field of violence prevention that Sandy Hook Promise frequently uses.

Overview

Learn more about Sandy Hook Promise’s violence prevention research.

Join Our Movement

Stay informed on what Sandy Hook Promise is doing to help prevent gun violence in schools, homes and communities.