In spring 2020, PHC awarded funding to support partnership and research projects focused on the following:
Status of Black Girls in Delaware
Funding will help support a multi-method study examining identity development, health awareness, healthy behaviors, barriers to physical activity, nutrition, social supports, and educational experiences for Black girls in Delaware aged 10-19. This study directly addresses health care disparities as they relate to Black girls in Delaware. Findings will be use by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to inform the design
and provision of interventions and services for Black girls in Delaware.
Partners: National Coalition of 100 Black Women-DE, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and Delaware State University
Funding awarded to: Dr. Sue Giancola and Dr. Tia Barnes, Center for Research in Education & Social Policy (CRESP)
Eviction, Homelessness and Health
Funding will support a study to assess the extent to which concentrations of eviction and homelessness occur in neighborhoods that also have high concentrations of health problems. Findings can be used to identify areas that are in pressing need of both housing and healthcare interventions, and would thereby facilitate planning for neighborhood-based interventions that could both address social determinants and direct correlates of specific health outcomes in particular areas.
Partners: Moravian College and UD’s Center for Applied Demography and Social Research
Funding awarded to: Dr. Steve Metraux, Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS)
Behavioral Health Supports for Mobile Health Program
Funding supports the design of a behavioral health and wellness screening program to be implemented at community locations through the Mobile Health Program. Behavioral health staff will include undergraduate and/or graduate student support with supervision from a licensed clinical psychologist.
Partners: Mobile Health Program (including their 9 community partners)
Funding awarded to: Dr. Briana Haut, Center for Training, Evaluation, and Community Collaboration (C-TECC)
Suicide prevention peer support program for students and young adults
This project integrates multiple community and university partners whose efforts align to collectively support the behavioral health needs of young adults residing in the local Newark Community; this includes high school, college and young professionals. The initiative consists of 3 components which include; Specialized Peer Training through the University’s College of Health Sciences (CHS), peer support and referral services through Sean’s House/The SL24 Foundation, and, development and integration of a behavioral health referral and information exchange network through CHS contracted vendor, Patient Sortal. The Project’s goal will be to connect this underserved, vulnerable population to the right type and the right level of behavioral health supports at the right time.
The hub for the project’s service provision, will be Sean’s House, conveniently located on Main Street in Newark and is scheduled for a grand opening on September 24, 2020. Sean’s House will stand for—and with—all in the community who are in need of help or who wish to help young adults struggling with behavioral health issues. Sean’s House will offer an inviting, non-intimidating, safe space for young adults to access behavioral health support and resources, free of charge. The SL24 Foundation and the University’s College of Health Sciences will partner to create a unique evidence based model of peer based services and will offer scholarship to University doctoral students in exchange for project involvement.
This award helps fund the peer training aspect of this endeavor. The Mental Health Association (MHA) and the CHS School of Nursing will adapt the state’s existing Certified Peer Training Program to create a highly specialized peer training program targeted to the unique needs of young adults. Graduates of the UD Student Peer Training Program will receive a Certificate of Completion and will acquire tools and skills that will allow them to contribute to both the UD Campus, Sean’s House, and the surrounding community in a meaningful and “much needed” way. University stakeholders will develop scientifically based outcome measures and will engage in activities geared toward creating a sustainable model that other campus communities can emulate.
Partners: Peer 24, Sean’s House, Mental Health Association, Patient Sortal, College of Health Sciences
Funding awarded to: Marimargaret Fischer, MSN, RN, School of Nursing