Creating Positive Social Change with PRA

This episode features Travis Parker, Lisa Maye, and Ashley Krider from Policy Research Associates, who discuss the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) and its role in driving systems change for people with behavioral health conditions.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Episode Transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DataPoints-SIM-Transcript-FINAL-508.pdf

Resources:

-Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Workshops: https://smtc.prainc.com/services/sequential-intercept-model-mapping-workshops/

-Sequential Intercept Model: https://prainc.com/sim

- Incorporating 988 Into the SIM: A Nationwide Opportunity for Deflection From Law Enforcement Contact at Intercept 0: https://www.prainc.com/incorporating-988-into-sim-nationwide-opportunity-deflection-law-enforcement-contact-intercept-0/

- Exploring Intercept 0 of the Sequential Intercept Model: The Earliest Off-Ramp on the Road Toward Criminal Legal System Involvement: https://www.prainc.com/intercept-0-sequential-intercept-model/

- Brief Jail Mental Health Screen: https://www.prainc.com/product/brief-jail-mental-health-screen/

-Systems Mapping and Training Center: smtc.prainc.com/

-PRA eNews Sign Up: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1834746/1788027/

This episode features Kristin Lupfer, Jen Elder, and Abby Kirkman from Policy Research, who explore the Homeless Response Systems Mapping (HRSM) Workshops—a structured, community-driven process that helps local leaders identify gaps, build connections, and develop action plans to prevent and end homelessness.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Episode Transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DataPoints-HRSM-Transcript-508.pdf

Resources:

-Homeless Response Systems Mapping Overview: https://smtc.prainc.com/services/homeless-response-systems-mapping-workshop/

-Sequential Intercept Model: https://prainc.com/sim

-Strengthening Communities with Homeless Response Systems Mapping Workshops: https://www.prainc.com/homeless-response-systems-mapping-workshops/

-Systems Mapping and Training Center: https://smtc.prainc.com/

-PRA eNews Sign Up: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1834746/1788027/

This episode features Gina Vincent, PhD, and Spencer Lawson, PhD, and discusses their research evaluating the disparate impact of risk assessments.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Read the research brief for more information: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Risk-Assessment-Instrument-Brief-Final.pdf

Episode transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DataPoints-DIRA-Transcript-508.pdf

The research and this episode were made possible by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The content and opinions expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Conversations on Leadership is a series highlighting the leaders within Policy Research. In this series, guests share their thoughts on Policy Research’s work and culture and highlight how they are using the firm’s strategic plan to guide their work and advance the field.

In this episode, Kristin Lupfer, Vice President for Housing and Income Supports at Policy Research discusses her tenure at Policy Research, her path as a remote employee, and her approach to leadership.

Transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CoL-KL-Transcript-508.pdf

This episode features Violette Cloud, Liz Hassett, and Samantha Zottola, and discusses their research evaluating the application of a pretrial risk assessment instrument in a Native American population.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Episode transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DataPoints-ValidatedPRA-Transcript-508.pdf

Read the research paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/lhb0000562

The research and this episode were made possible by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The content and opinions expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.

This episode features Drs. Elan Hope, Lindsay Hoyt, and Sara Suzuki, and discusses their paper, Trajectories of Sociopolitical Stress During the 2020 United States Presidential Election Season: Associations with Psychological Wellbeing, Civic Action, and Social Identities.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Read the open-access research paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497623000528

View the graphical abstract: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sociopolitical-Stress-Graphical-Abstract.jpg

Read the transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DataPoints-Sociopolitical-Stress-Transcript-508.pdf

This episode features Isolynn Massey, Brandon Morrissey, and Samantha Zottola, and discusses the process, findings, and future of their publication, "A National Compendium of Court Navigation Programs." Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Episode transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DataPoints-CourtNavigators-Transcript-508.pdf

Court Navigator Compendium: https://www.prainc.com/resources/compendium-court-navigation-programs/

The research in this episode was made possible by the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute.

Conversations on Leadership is a series highlighting the leaders within Policy Research. In this series, guests share their thoughts on Policy Research’s work and culture and highlight how they are using the firm’s strategic plan to guide their work and advance the field.

In this 21-minute episode, Dr. Hope shares her approach to building and expanding Policy Research's Research and Evaluation area, the internal and external collaborations the area has developed, and her strategies for leading a remote-first team and ensuring life-work integration for staff members.

Transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CoL5-Transcript-508.pdf

Conversations on Leadership is a series highlighting the leaders within Policy Research. In this series, guests share their thoughts on Policy Research’s work and culture and highlight how they are using the firm’s strategic plan to guide their work and advance the field.

In this episode, President/CEO Sarah Desmarais, PhD, and Vice President Elan Hope, PhD, delve into Policy Research’s dedication to DEI. They share the company’s vision for an inclusive, representative workplace and the steps that the organization is taking to get there.

Transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CoL6-Transcript-508.pdf

This episode features Senior Project Associate Don Harris, MBA, and discusses key takeaways from his recently published paper, “Exploring the Association Between Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcements and User Comments on YouTube: A Computational Text Analysis Approach.”

Data Points is an ongoing podcast series produced by Policy Research that discusses research for social change.

Episode transcript: https://www.prainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DataPoints-Suicide-Prevention-PSAs-Transcript-508.pdf

Research paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2023.2203077

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 across the United States. Call 988 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.