Sector: Municipal Government / Public Safety / Qualitative Research

Role: Lead Focus Group Consultant and Research Lead

The Challenge

The City of Birmingham, through the Mayor's Office, is advancing violence prevention work that requires more than institutional data alone. City leaders needed direct input from youth, families, and community stakeholders to better understand what they believe is driving violence, what support systems are missing, and what prevention strategies would matter most in their communities. That need aligns with Birmingham's broader public safety and re-entry efforts, including initiatives such as RESTORE.

The Approach

PRC Impact serves as the lead focus group consultant and research lead for community-based violence prevention research connected to Birmingham's Department of Justice Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative.

This work includes:

• Designing and executing focus groups with justice-impacted youth, detained youth, Birmingham City Schools students, and youth living in housing communities

• Managing the qualitative research process to ensure the youth voice is centered in violence prevention planning

• Developing surveys for parents and community members to identify what they want to see in their neighborhoods, including programs, sports, arts, and other supports

• Analyzing survey data to surface patterns in community priorities and unmet needs

• Supporting research coordination across partners connected to the work, including RESTORE, the Housing Authority, Birmingham City Schools, and stakeholders connected to the Mayor's Office

The Outcome

The research is helping ensure that Birmingham's violence prevention planning is informed by lived experience, not just top-down assumptions. By gathering direct input from youth, parents, and community stakeholders, the work is contributing to a stronger, community-informed foundation for future planning, programming, and investment decisions related to violence prevention and community support strategies.

Why It Matters

This case study reflects PRC Impact's ability to manage complex qualitative research in high-stakes public-sector environments. It demonstrates the firm's strength in designing and leading community-centered research that helps cities better understand root causes, surface community priorities, and build more responsive prevention strategies.