Partners in Prevention. Allies in Action.
We collaborate with trusted partners in public health, mental health, education, and community safety. From clinicians and researchers to national nonprofits and state agencies, our allies share a commitment to early intervention and prevention. Together, we’re building stronger networks of support—and driving real change where it matters most.
Our Subject Matter Experts
There’s no single path into extremism—and no single path out. Each case calls for a tailored approach, built on the strongest knowledge and practices available. By adding more specialists to our team, we ensure every family receives the right balance of compassion, expertise, and practical support. This extra layer of guidance makes our interventions more effective and our team better equipped to help families find safety, healing, and hope.
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With support from the Department of Homeland Security’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) 2023 and 2024 grants, Parents for Peace has welcomed six Subject Matter Experts to our team. Their contributions are helping us deepen our knowledge, refine our protocols, and enhance the way we serve families in need—ensuring every intervention is grounded in the most current, research-driven practices.
Alla Prokhovnik-Raphique, Ph.D.
Intervention Expert
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the United NGO Coordination Effort, Founder/Director of Nurturing Roots Psychology
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Focus: supporting cases where substance use disorder is present
Lyla Schwartz, PhD Candidate, MSW
Intervention Expert
Clinical Supervisor at the Neurodiversity Support Network Switzerland, Program & Psychology Director at the Peace of Mind Association
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Focus: advising on cases involving adolescents, reintegration from extremist movements, and collaboration with the justice system
Beth Jerskey, PhD
Intervention Expert
Director of Training, Research, and Professional Development & Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services at the Boston Child Study Center
Focus: assisting with cases involving Autistic individuals
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Elena Savoia, MD, MPH
Protocols
Principal Research Scientist, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Focus: reviewing our intake, intervention, care coordination, and off-ramping protocols, and recommending improvements aligned with best practices in countering violent extremism (CVE) organizations​
Emma Cardeli, PhD
Screening Tool Expert
Associate Director of Clinical Services, MA Area Prevention Program, Boston Children’s Hospital. Developer of the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Strengths, Needs, and Risks: Assessment & Management Tool
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Focus: training our team on components of the T-SAM framework and helping us apply the right screening/assessment tools to strengthen our intervention
Community Safety Evaluation Lab
For the past five years, Parents for Peace has partnered with the Community Safety Evaluation Lab at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health to rigorously evaluate its programs. Led by Dr. Savoia, the Harvard team has applied advanced methods—including randomized trials and peer session metrics—to assess the impact of P4P’s interventions on families. Early results show promising improvements in parents’ confidence and communication with loved ones at risk. > Read more
“Some of the nicest, most generous people you'll ever encounter. My lab at Georgia State University is proud to collaborate with them, thanks to support from DHS and the Department of Homeland Security.”
— Dr. John Horgan, Distinguished Professor, Georgia State University
