New York City - Atlas Initiative

Case Study

 
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Proven Solutions to Strengthen Communities Across NYC

The mission of Atlas is to enhance public safety by providing voluntary, non-court-mandated programs through community-based organizations and place-based strategies in neighborhoods that have historically borne the brunt of violence and over-enforcement.

Evidence-Based Associates (EBA) serves as the lead data analyst and support providers under Atlas NYC, a citywide initiative led by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), and United Way of New York City (UWNYC). Atlas NYC includes three distinct but connected models—Atlas FFT, Atlas FFT A (Adult), and Atlas HOPE—that provide evidence-based clinical, resources, and workforce services for justice-involved youth, adults, and their families. EBA's role is focused on ensuring high-quality performance related to evidence-based practice, data collection, and provider (CBO) capacity-building, including budget development, staff recruitment, hiring, fidelity monitoring, data management, and related implementation management needs.

Problem

Low Service Utilization & Need for Community-Based Alternatives

New York City has committed to transforming its public safety strategy through community-based prevention and support, yet challenges remain. FFT, a proven therapeutic model used in the Atlas Initiative, has faced low utilization rates. At the same time, systems to coordinate referrals, track performance, and ensure high-quality implementation of services are underdeveloped, limiting program impact.

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Solution

EBA Implementation Support, Data Tools, and Engagement Strategy

EBA was engaged to support the Atlas Initiative with targeted technical assistance and implementation guidance:

  • Developed and managed the Atlas Evidence Database (AED) to track referral trends and identify early implementation issues
  • Convened a cross-agency Client Engagement “Tiger Team” to address low FFT utilization and improve participation
  • Co-facilitated the creation of the Atlas Program Guide to standardize practices across providers
  • Co-created a Learning Network and trained the UWNYC Director of Transformation & Learning to sustain internal capacity

Outcome

Coordinated Delivery, Early Detection, and Community-Centered Progress

The Atlas Initiative, bolstered by EBA’s support, is evolving into a scalable, data-informed model for neighborhood safety and well-being:

  • Early indicators of clinical and operational issues are now more easily identified and addressed through the AED
  • Participating agencies report greater alignment around FFT practices and referral processes
  • Training and learning structures are enhancing the capacity of United Way and partner organizations to implement evidence-based strategies with consistency

This collaboration reflects NYC’s broader commitment to prevention, equity, and community-led transformation.

115 +
Years of combined experience
20 +
Evidence-based models supported
30 +
States and counties served

Solutions EBA Provided

Needs Assessment & Program Alignment

Identify ideal evidence-based programs and determine when and where they are most needed to meet community needs effectively.

Implementation & Provider Support

Provide direct support to community-based agencies to help them successfully adopt and deliver evidence-based practices, including coaching and guidance throughout implementation.

Workforce & Provider Oversight

Monitor compliance with the EBP Hiring Manual and assist agencies in creating policies that support effective staff recruitment, training, and long-term retention.

Training & Capacity Coordination

Identify certified training partners and coordinate session schedules to ensure staff receive timely, relevant training while maintaining adequate service coverage.

Utilization & Referral Management

Manage referral processes to ensure appropriate, timely access to services, aligning client needs with the most suitable evidence-based programs.

Quality, Evaluation & Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with partners to track fidelity and outcomes, use dashboards and monitoring tools to evaluate performance, and keep stakeholders informed to guide ongoing improvements and sustain success.

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EBA leads South Carolina's LEAP Project, implementing eight community-based programs as alternatives to incarceration for high-risk youth.

Read Case Study

Additional NYC-Atlas Information

EBA plays a central role in ensuring the success of the Atlas NYC initiative through a comprehensive scope that includes:

  • Data Reporting & Analysis: EBA serves as the initiative Lead Data Analyst. Partnering with ONS and UWNYC to refine data collection processes, analyze performance trends, and present data insights to support continuous improvement.
  • Quality Assurance: Conducting fidelity assessments, reviewing documentation and service delivery, and providing feedback to providers to ensure adherence to the HOPE program model.
  • Provider Technical Assistance: EBA provides comprehensive hiring support and implements a system for tracking staff retention, monitoring, and analyzing retention metrics to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Collaborative Learning: EBA facilitates learning spaces and peer exchange opportunities across providers to address data quality & reporting issues, address recruitment and hiring barriers, and accelerate progress

Models currently in use in the NYC- Atlas Initiative

 

Atlas Functional Family Therapy

At its core, Atlas is a public health model that prevents violence by matching justice-impacted individuals at an elevated risk of violence with voluntary evidence-based therapeutic services that are proven to be transformative.

Atlas Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based intervention for youth and families. This high-quality, culturally competent, strength-focused family counseling model is designed primarily for youth and young adults at an elevated risk of violence who the criminal court, juvenile justice, mental health, school, or child welfare systems have referred. Services are short-term, conducted in both office and home settings, and can also be provided in schools and various community settings.

Atlas FFT programs specifically work with youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 27 years old. Atlas FFT works with referral partners across the city to provide FFT to any eligible client and their family. The FFT model incorporates a participant’s closest loved ones into the change and growth process. While FFT is a family therapy model, the program recognizes that family is not just who we are related to. The family unit is whoever the young person identifies as their support network. Atlas meets people at times of crisis and connects them to free, voluntary, community-based therapeutic services.

Atlas HOPE

Atlas HOPE (Healing, Opportunity, Progress, Empowerment) is a Community Violence Intervention model that combines persistent outreach, trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBI), and paid, extended transitional employment to meet the needs of adult men ages 25 and older at the highest risk of serious violence involvement, including gun violence. The model is an adaptation of the READI Chicago program.

Atlas HOPE aims:

  • To add to existing community violence interventions
  • Create a continuum of care for adult men most likely to engage in serious community violence
  • Improve Public Safety
  • Eliminate the dependence on incarceration and provide mental health resources, job training, case management, and support.

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention: Participants join daily group sessions focused on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to enhance their mental well-being throughout the program. These engaging sessions provide valuable support for their behavioral health at every stage.

Professional Development: Participants engage in dynamic career readiness workshops and immersive training experiences, where they not only hone essential job skills but also explore a diverse array of exciting career paths.

Transitional Employment and Education: Participants join as transitional employees, engaging in professional growth with a daily stipend. This opportunity enhances their skills through educational and certification programs while fostering valuable connections in a vibrant learning environment.

Sharese Crouther

Program Director, Atlas Project NYC
scrouther@ebanetwork.com

Kendra Hogans

Atlas FFT Program Manager
khogans@ebanetwork.com

Nicole Janer

Senior Director – Operations
njaner@ebanetwork.com

Chris Caudle

HR Recruiter NYC
ccaudle@ebanetwork.com

Allison Seiden

Program Data Manager for Atlas
aseiden@ebanetwork.com

Lindsey Dixon

Data Specialist

Click here to see our full team
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