Prenatal Exposure to Domestic Violence
Summary of Key Research Findings
Impact of Domestic Violence Exposure
Recommendations to Better Serve Ohio's Children
HEART Team Research
Father and Interpersonal Relationship Evaluation (FIRE) Impact Evaluation Technical Report
This randomized controlled evaluation examines how fatherhood programming and peer mentoring influence relational health, parenting, and family functioning among low-income fathers in Northeast Ohio. Findings offer practical insights into what helps fathers build stronger relationships, overcome structural barriers, and sustain positive engagement with their children and families.
Drawing on integrated county-level data, this brief identifies early life system involvement and structural risk factors associated with violent injury among Cleveland youth. The findings highlight actionable opportunities for schools, child welfare systems, health care providers, and community organizations to intervene earlier and strengthen violence prevention efforts.
Breaking the Cycle of Youth Violence: Results from the Antifragility Initiative
This NIH-funded study evaluated a pediatric hospital-based violence intervention program and found measurable reductions in violent reinjury among youth following hospital discharge. The report highlights how trauma-informed, resilience-focused intervention can interrupt cycles of violence and improve long-term outcomes for Black and Latinx youth exposed to severe violence.
Trauma Informed Socially Just Research Framework
Laura A. Voith, PhD
The TISJR is a framework that grew out of the HEART's attempt to grapple with authentically embedding racial equity and trauma responsiveness into the practice of research. It offers a set of tools to ground one's practice of research in partnership with communities and to generate a praxis among team members that supports the wellbeing of all members, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and other minoritized groups.
Antifragility Initiative: Process Evaluation Year 1 Results
Laura A. Voith, PhD, MSW, Katie Russell, MSSA, Hyunjune Lee, MSW, Meghan Salas-Atwell, PhD
This research brief summarizes the outcomes of a formative evaluation with the “Antifragility Initiative,” a holistic
trauma-informed hospital-based violence intervention program serving youth at University Hospital’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital (UH-RBC). Key study aims included developing the program theory of change and assessing the program model's consistency to the theory of change.
Investigating Cumulative and Complex Trauma with Men in Batterer Intervention Programs: An Executive Summary
Laura A. Voith, PhD, MSW, Hyunjune Lee, MSW
This study explored the life experiences of men in the Domestic Intervention, Education, and Training (DIET) program, the largest batterer intervention program in Cuyahoga County. Specifically, we examined factors that relate to underlying trauma and possible strengths with men that could suggest areas of program focus, development, and enhancement.