Dr. Flower has partnered with the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) since 2014 on a variety of projects through her affiliations with the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service and Research (IGSR), Justice Research & Statistics Association (JRSA), and as Principal Researcher of Choice Research Associates (CRA).  In 2017, as Senior Research Associate at IGSR, Dr. Flower supervised a student project to conduct a process evaluation specifically on NVRDC's 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Response Program (SACRP).

Victim Legal Network of DC (VLNDC)

Dr. Flower was the Principal Investigator of the Victim Legal Network of DC (VLNDC) from 2014 to 2016, assisting with developing measures and evaluation tools, as well as co-authoring two literature reviews, including one on the innovative use of vignettes or scenarios as a means to assess effectiveness of issue spotting training of legal providers.

DC Collaborative Training & Response for Older Victims (DC TROV)

In 2018, Choice Research Associates (CRA) updated the findings of the 2014/2015 District’s Collaborative Training & Response to Older Victims (DC TROV) Community and DC Service Providers and Allied Professionals needs assessment. This project surveyed community members and service providers. A total of 116 community members provided information on their awareness of services for seniors who were being hurt or controlled by a partner, caregiver, or family member; their personal abuse experience and helpfulness for services accessed; and their knowledge of other elder experiences with abuse.  Surveys were also completed by 43 service providers. The survey asked providers to rank the top 3 services that were most helpful to victims of elder abuse; to identify obstacles to obtaining those services; and the most helpful supports that would help service providers respond to the needs of older victims. Recommendations include increasing public awareness related to key services (particularly 24-hour hotline and foster pet care/shelter) and what happens when an individual reports abuse to a mandated versus non-mandated reporter. See report here.

Rights in Systems Enforced Project (RISE)

From 2019 to 2021, CRA was the NVRDC evaluation consultant for the Rights in Systems Enforced Project (RISE) project from 2019-2021. This project sought to address the gap in service delivery for those who have experienced hate crimes, physical assault (or non-power based personal violence) and surviving family members of homicide victims by increasing their access to CVR through brief legal advice and/or representation. An overview of the RISE project activities is available here.

This project also involved the review of NVRDC’s Pro Se Guide for accessibility and utility to improve the Guide before delivery to the public. In addition, CRA provided NVRDC with a guide to creating accessible documents (available here).

Crime Victims’ Rights in the Emergency Room (CVR-ER)

In 2021, CRA conducted an exploratory evaluation of the NVRDC’s Crime Victims’ Rights in the Emergency Room (CVR-ER) pilot program. NVRDC expanded access to crime victims’ rights attorneys through a unique medical-legal partnership with Medstar Washington Hospital Center’s (MWHC) Community Violence Intervention Program (CVIP).  Overall, embedding the NVRDC embedded Attorney on the CVIP project had a positive impact on both the team and the clients.  Clients reported increased confidence and knowledge about who to call for help or answer questions, now or in the future. Team members reported they now actively considered how the attorney might add to goal planning and attainment for clients. That evaluation report is available here.

DC’s Continuum offering Victims Enforcement of Rights Services (DC COVERS)

Beginning in Fall of 2021, CRA was engaged as the evaluator for DC’s Continuum offering Victims Enforcement of Rights Services (DC COVERS) project. Goals of this project include the provision of crime victims' rights enforcement in DC, including expansion of services in Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) and Incarcerations Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) post-convictions proceedings. CRA completed a gap assessment in the knowledge of crime victims’ rights and resources and is in the process of assisting NVRDC with development of tools to assess the effectiveness of crime victims’ rights training. Gap Assessment available here.