Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homicide is the third leading cause of death for US adolescents and the leading cause among Black youth. Youth violence also contributes to significant mental health burden and educational disruption, with the highest impact in neighborhoods with limited resources. Programs that address intersecting determinants, including social factors and limited economic opportunities, may reduce violence experiences and perpetration. OBJECTIVE: This protocol paper describes a community-partnered, 2-arm cluster-randomized trial across 16 neighborhoods (12 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 4 in the Washington, DC, region) evaluating the Forging Hopeful Futures (FHF) intervention, enrolling approximately 720 youth aged 13 to 19 years. METHODS: FHF comprises 12 sessions delivered over 6 to 12 weeks by trusted community facilitators and addresses conflict resolution, peer and intimate partner relationships, youth leadership, and job readiness with connections to employment and mentorship. Comparison clusters receive enhanced usual care (individual wellness check-ins). Assessments occur at baseline, the end of the program, 3 months, and 6 months post-program. Primary outcomes are violence involvement (experience and perpetration); secondary outcomes include experiences of multiple types of violence (eg, relationship abuse, sexual violence, bullying, and weapon carrying). Implementation data are collected using RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance)-informed tools and qualitative interviews. RESULTS: The study was funded in October 2022, and recruitment began in July 2023. As of December 1, 2025, the study had enrolled 542 participants, with follow-up expected to continue through July 30, 2026. Data analysis for primary end points is expected on January 1, 2027. Primary analyses will estimate intervention effects on recent violence perpetration using generalized linear mixed models with random effects for neighborhood and participant, adjusting for baseline values and city. Exploratory analyses will examine mediation (eg, shifts in attitudes) and moderation (eg, baseline risk profiles). CONCLUSIONS: This trial is designed to provide rigorous effectiveness and implementation evidence to inform policy and practice in youth violence prevention. If demonstrated to be effective, FHF could serve as an integrated, scalable model that addresses the social and economic drivers of youth violence and leverages community partnerships for sustainability.