Research
Research
PARCA grew from federally funded research on justice and health. This page explains that research, the intervention model it informed, and what has, and has not yet, been demonstrated about PARCA itself.
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Research
1. The research behind PARCA.
PARCA was developed through an NIH-funded study, “PARCA (a digital tool) to improve Justice and Health,” funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (grant 4R42DA056255-02). The work was led by Dr. Faye Taxman of George Mason University with RTI International, and examined how a digital tool could help people under community supervision, particularly those with substance use disorders, work toward their case-plan goals.
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Study
“PARCA (a digital tool) to improve Justice and Health.”
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Funding Source
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
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Academic Partners
George Mason University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, UCLA, and RTI International.
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How It Shaped the Product
The study informed PARCA’s goal-setting, incentive, and resource workflows.
Research
2. The intervention model.
PARCA applies Risk–Needs–Responsivity principles and positive reinforcement (contingency management) to the daily work of supervision. These elements work together:
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Goal Setting
Participants select goals tied to the needs in their case plan.
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Resources
Practical support is connected to each goal and step.
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Communication
Reminders and secure messages keep the plan active between check-ins.
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Positive Reinforcement
Verified progress is recognized with incentives.
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Meaningful Progress
Completed steps build toward the goals in the plan.
Research
3. What has been evaluated so far.
Research supporting the approach is not the same as proof that PARCA produces particular outcomes. To date, PARCA has been piloted with two Texas probation agencies (March 2025 to May 2026). Preliminary findings describe implementation and use, not effects on recidivism or other long-term outcomes. Further evaluation is under way through Phase II of the NIH-funded work.
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121 Clients, 21 Officers
Using PARCA across the two pilot sites.
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43% Still Active
Of clients were still active in the app after 30 or more days.
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70% of Officers
Found the dashboard easy to use.
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5–6 Hours per Week
Saved per officer, on average.
Research
4. What agencies can measure.
Agencies using PARCA can track implementation and engagement measures from the platform. Outcomes such as reoffending need a separate evaluation design agreed with the program.
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Engagement and Follow-Through
Participation, step completion, and activity between appointments.
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Goal Progress
Movement on goals across areas such as housing, treatment, and employment.
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Incentive Activity
How reinforcement is being earned and delivered.
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Staff Experience
Time, workload, and usability for officers and case managers.
Research partners
Institutions connected to PARCA’s research.
George Mason University
Research partner
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Research partner
UCLA Health
Health + implementation
RTI International
Public-sector practice
National Institutes of Health
Federal research
King's College London
Research partner
Work with us
Explore a Research Collaboration
Academic and evaluation partners can talk with the PARCA team about implementation and outcome studies. Agencies can see the product in a demo.