Social Model Recovery Systems, Inc. (SMRS), in partnership with First 5 Los Angeles, released new community-based research findings, The Power of Prevention: Lessons from the Skid Row Oral History Project, that reveal early intervention and sustained community connection enhance a wide range of positive academic, interpersonal, health, and social outcomes.
The findings, drawn from the oral history project and accompanying analysis by Dr. Cheryl Grills, examine the long-term trajectories of young people who participated in community-based prevention programs during childhood and adolescence. The project offers a rare insight into how relational ties, early support, and belonging influence outcomes related to education, employment, housing stability, and substance use over time.
“As a former health care provider, I’ve seen firsthand how environmental factors and lack of social services can impact a person’s life—especially when facing homelessness and substance use,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Our comprehensive approach to homelessness will continue to focus not just on housing for Angelenos, but also on preventing Angelenos from falling into homelessness in the first place. I want to thank Dr. Cheryl Grills for leading this critical piece of research and look forward to building upon this work.”
The research was presented at a public briefing featuring video excerpts from the Skid Row Oral History Project and a moderated panel with former youth participants reflecting on lived experience, effective interventions, and policy priorities.
“Prevention works. Its impact is measurable, and it creates benefits that extend across generations.” “When young people remain connected to consistent, community-based support, their chances of long-term stability increase significantly,” said Bruce Boardman, CEO, Social Model Recovery Systems.
Key Findings
1. Strong relational ties are foundational to health and well-being. National research shows that relational ties are as essential to maintaining wellness as food and water. We are wired for connection, and when that connection is strong, people experience greater health, well-being, and quality of life. Local and statewide evaluations of community-based prevention and early intervention efforts in LA County and California consistently demonstrate the power of strong relational ties in shaping positive youth outcomes—especially ties established with prevention/early intervention program staff.
2. Community-based prevention builds resilience, leadership, and long-term stability. Findings from the “Toxic Playground” study show that despite the trauma of growing up in Skid Row, youth supported by their UCEPP relational ties developed agency and collective power. Through Coalition X, youth envisioned and conducted a peer survey, using their personal stories to stimulate public discussion and advocacy. Forty-one percent lived in Skid Row from one to three years, and more than 20 years later, many, like participants from South Central Youth Empowered through Action (SCYEA), Youth Thriving, and Ready 2 Rise (R2R), went on to college, achieved stable employment, and remained civically engaged, demonstrating the lasting impact and power of prevention.
3. Connection reduces addiction risk and strengthens life outcomes. According to Dr. Grills, connection mitigates addiction risk, and Positive Youth Development research shows it enhances a wide range of positive academic, interpersonal, health, mental health, and social outcomes, including higher levels of civic engagement. These findings affirm prevention as a critical, evidence-based strategy for improving long-term well-being and community health.
“Prevention is a cornerstone of effective public health. It supports family stability, empowers young people, and fosters community resilience. One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is this: the pathway to recovery begins with survival. Overdose prevention is not enabling drug use but rather creating the opportunity for a second, third, or fourth chance at recovery. People cannot enter treatment if they are not alive,” said Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.