"Loudoun County Youth Services Assessment"
Laurie Dopkins and David Anderson are conducting research funded by Loudoun County to gain a greater understanding of the nature and scope of issues surrounding youth in the county, as well as strategies and practices available throughout the state and nationwide. The study includes several key components: a needs assessment, key informant interviews, focus groups with youth, a telephone survey and community forums. Graduate student Melissa Adams is providing strategic support as a Graduate Research Assistant. For more information contact Laurie Dopkins. For more information about George Mason's work with the Loudoun Youth Initiative see the Washington Post Article: "Tuning In to the Needs, Challenges of Loudoun's Teens"

Download the Executive Summary.

Download the study findings: Loudoun Youth Study 2006: Report of Findings.

See pictures from the Loudoun Youth Step Up 2006

"Tracking Relocated Residents of the Pittsburgh Civic League Apartments"
This is a longitudinal study of residents relocated from a low-income housing project in Atlanta, GA in 2004. Laurie Dopkins is the Principal Investigator. Tiffany Yanosky is working as a graduate research assistant. The project is funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

"Fairfax County Youth Worker Program Evaluation"
Laurie Dopkins and sociology graduate student Arlinda Louh evaluated a program to use teen workers to draw youth into youth programs.

"Perceptions of Gang Activity in Northern Virginia"
The Center for Social Science Research conducted a telephone survey of northern Virginia residents to measure community perceptions of gang violence in Fall 2005. This pilot project was a collaborative effort between faculty members in the department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Administration of Justice program. Graduate students studying survey research helped craft the questionnaire, supervise data collection and conduct interviews. Undergraduate research methods students also helped conduct interviews.

Download the working paper: Public Perceptions of Gang Activity in Northern Virginia: Results of a Pilot Study.

"Capacity for Collecting and Using Data for Neighborhood Change"
Laurie Dopkins designed and implemented a capacity building plan to engage residents of a rapidly changing low-income neighborhood in Atlanta, GA in the process of using data for planning, evaluation, and policy making. The project was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.