Because there is no “evidence-based practice” that can be readily adapted to serious problems like violent crime and chronic truancy, Vera partners with government officials to develop new solutions. Together, Vera and its partners plan and implement demonstration projects to test and refine these innovations.

Vera demonstration projects are practical and inexpensive. They allow government officials to get buy-in from stakeholders before applying the solutions to a large government system, such as parole, juvenile justice, or child welfare. Successful demonstration projects spin-off from Vera either to become separate nonprofits or to be integrated into their government sponsor.

How We Develop New Solutions

Vera’s rigorous planning process has three stages.

1. Identify the Problem: We identify the nature, extent, and cause of the problem by

• conducting empirical research on the problem (for example, reviewing case files);
• reviewing research literature and examining practices in other jurisdictions; and
• consulting government officials, stakeholders, service providers, and the people served by the system.

2. Develop and Test a Solution: We develop an innovation to address the problem, which includes

• developing a plan for a demonstration project;
• determining expected outcomes and developing a plan to evaluate the project; and
• devising a funding plan for the project and for the innovation over an extended period of time.

3. Implement the Solution: We work with government partners to operate the demonstration project: This includes

• hiring staff to provide service;
• developing detailed policies and procedures to achieve results and manage risks; and
• monitoring performance and adjusting the project design to achieve project goals.

A History of Success

Vera has worked with government partners on dozens of demonstration projects since its inception in 1961. Our first, the Manhattan Bail Project, showed that many people accused of committing a crime can be relied on to appear in court and do not have to post bail or be held until trial. When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Bail Reform Act in 1966—the first reform of the federal bail system since 1789—he credited Vera for leading the way. Seventeen major nonprofit organizations in New York City originated as Vera demonstration projects, including Safe Horizon, the Center for Employment Opportunities, and our latest spin-off, Esperanza-Hope.

Current demonstration projects include:

• Adolescent Portable Therapy, which provides consistent drug treatment for young people as they move through multiple justice agencies.
• The Guardianship Project, which provides high-quality, low-cost guardianship services for people who are no longer able to care for themselves and have no family or friends who are able to do so.
• Common Justice is a participatory justice alternative to incarceration and innovative victim service program for serious felonies.
• New Orleans Pretrial Services is collaborating with government, community, and civic organizations to develop the city’s first comprehensive pretrial services system.

For more information, contact Evan Elkin.