Research-Driven. Outcomes-Focused.
Prevention earns trust when it is measured. The Chaperone Initiative pairs Chaperone Health's existing peer-support infrastructure with ongoing research, independent evaluation, and continuous improvement, so funders, partners, and the public can see what works, for whom, and why.
With UIC
Measured & evaluated
Independent academic evaluation.
An intended academic partner for research and evaluation
The Initiative intends to work with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) as an academic research and evaluation partner, bringing independent perspective and academic rigor to a prevention model built for real-world youth settings.
Where the partnership stands
The intent is for an academic partner to help the Initiative ask the right questions, study them honestly, and let evidence guide what comes next. Conversations are early, and we are describing the partnership provisionally rather than claiming more than is settled.
For how oversight, accountability and stewardship are structured across the Initiative, see Trust & Transparency.
What independence means here
A prevention model that names its own results is only as trustworthy as the people checking the work. Independence means evaluation stays separate from delivery, methods are open to scrutiny, and findings are reported as they are, not as we hope them to be.
- Separation of evaluation from delivery
- Transparent, shareable methods
- Findings that travel to healthcare, education and policy
Research-Informed, Built on Real Infrastructure
Not a concept on paper. Built from operating peer-support systems. The Initiative builds on the established peer-support operations of Chaperone Health, where trained Peer Chaperones provide trusted human connection.
Evaluation is designed to run alongside delivery, not instead of it: as support reaches young people, the Initiative measures, learns, and refines, so research can strengthen the model rather than pause it. Technology supports Peer Chaperones; it never replaces the human relationship at the center of the work, and it is never a substitute for clinicians, therapists, or crisis services.
For the mission behind this model and how the Initiative relates to Chaperone Health, see About.
Operating peer-support infrastructure
Trained Peer Chaperones provide trusted human connection through Chaperone Health's existing operations.
Continuous evaluation in the loop
Findings feed directly back into practice, refining how access is delivered and improved over time.
Supporting technology, human-led
Technology assists Peer Chaperones with reach and consistency; it does not replace people or clinical care.
Where research can move prevention forward
A focused research agenda, anchored in how young people actually seek help online and what helps trusted human support reach them first.
How youth seek support online
Understanding the moments, channels and signals through which vulnerable young people reach out for help in digital spaces.
Measuring engagement
How young people connect with Peer Chaperones, what sustains a supportive relationship, and what helps the first encounter go well.
Evaluating safety practices
Studying the safeguards, escalation pathways and responsible-use practices that keep young people protected throughout.
Prevention research
Identifying protective factors and intervention timing that help trusted human connection reach youth before harmful influences do.
Evidence generation
Building a credible, shareable body of evidence on what works, so the model can be evaluated, replicated and trusted.
Future policy development
Translating findings into practical guidance for the healthcare, education and public-sector systems that shape youth safety.
Research areas reflect the Initiative's intended agenda and are subject to partnership scope and review.
What we expect to measure
The unique question this page answers is not who we are, but how the work is studied: a clear, honest set of outcome areas defined up front, so progress can be tracked, reported and improved rather than asserted.
Engagement
Whether young people connect with Peer Chaperones and stay in a supportive relationship over time.
Safety practices
How consistently safeguards and responsible-use practices are followed across every interaction.
User-reported support
What young people themselves say about feeling heard, supported and safer through the connection.
Escalation
Whether young people who need clinical care or crisis services are connected to the right help, promptly and appropriately.
Access outcomes
Whether funded access actually reaches the defined youth populations, communities and pathways it is intended to serve.
Continuous improvement
How findings translate into concrete changes in practice, closing the loop between evidence and delivery.
Evaluation areas are expected measures pending finalization of methods and partnership scope.
Philanthropy expands access now; evidence makes it last
Philanthropic support extends trusted human connection to defined youth populations today. Evaluation does something just as important for the long run: it helps identify the approaches that can be sustained and scaled inside healthcare, education, and community systems.
Funders are not only resourcing access for young people in the present; they are helping build the evidence base that makes prevention durable, replicable, and worthy of broader public and institutional investment over time.
Funded access
Philanthropy extends trusted human connection to defined youth populations, putting support in reach before harm does.
Evaluation
Independent measurement shows what works and for whom, so funders can see results rather than take them on faith.
Validation pendingScalable systems
Evidence informs models that can be sustained inside healthcare, education, and community systems over time.
Validation pendingGuidance from people who study youth safety
An advisory council is being convened to guide research and safety practices. Members are being identified now.
Researchers
Academic researchers in youth development and intervention science.
Public health experts
Specialists in prevention, population health and community well-being.
Youth safety experts
Practitioners focused on protecting and supporting vulnerable young people.
Digital safety experts
Experts in online risk, responsible technology and digital well-being.
Membership and governance are in development. No names are listed until appointments are confirmed. Validation pending
Publications and reports, forthcoming
This is where the Initiative will publish evaluation reports, briefs and shareable findings as they are produced and reviewed.
Evaluation report
Independent outcomes reporting across the evaluation framework.
ForthcomingMethods & safety brief
How the Initiative studies its work and protects young people throughout.
ForthcomingFindings summary
Plain-language summaries for funders, partners and the public.
ForthcomingNo reports are available for download yet. Research-aligned partners can register interest through our team.
The State of Youth Online Vulnerability Initiative
A planned flagship body of thought leadership, synthesizing what is known about how young people seek help, where they are vulnerable online, and what genuinely protects them. It is in development and is not live content today.
Scope and timing are provisional. Validation pending
Help build a measurable, prevention-focused future for youth
Research-aligned foundations, healthcare systems, research institutions and community partners can shape the evidence while expanding access today. Explore partnership on our Founding Partners page.