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About Us

The Center concentrates its efforts in the areas of early childhood development, health care for vulnerable populations, juvenile justice reform and prevention, teen pregnancy and STI prevention, and youth substance use prevention. The Center focuses on an ecological framework, where populations and environment intersect. We specialize in applied research and evaluation, policy analysis, online data systems, and professional development and training.

CPRD has a long history of creating and maintaining successful collaborative partnerships with local, state, and national organizations, agencies, and businesses. Since its inception in 1989, CPRD has worked closely with many rural, suburban, and urban communities both in Illinois and across the United States. The Center has a special emphasis on research, evaluation, and the development of data systems for self-study and program improvement. The Center has an interdisciplinary staff of academic professionals covering such disciplines as public health, education, anthropology, psychology, political science, social work, and administration. 

Our Mission

CPRD is dedicated to research and evaluation that improves the health and well-being of communities.  The information we generate informs and empowers our collaborators to effectively implement evidence-based prevention programs that reach people in their communities. We engage in scientific and applied research aimed at translating and disseminating results for our stakeholders into actionable policies and practices.

CPRD is a part of the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign