Statewide System and Organizational Strategy for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation and Sustainment in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Principal Investigator(s): Gregory Aarons, Ph.D. UC San Diego
Co-Investigators(s): Mark Ehrhart, Ph.D. University of Central Florida, Marisa Sklar, Ph.D. UC San Diego
This project will test an implementation strategy that seeks to align system, organization, and clinic leadership and strategies to implement and sustain an evidence-based practice (EBP) for substance use disorders. The Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation - System Level (LOCI-SL) seeks to improve implementation leadership, climate, provider attitudes and behaviors, and EBP fidelity for enhanced client engagement in services and outcomes. LOCI-SL will be tested in integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment clinics across the state of Oregon while engaging the Oregon Health Authority, the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, and managed care organizations.
Funding Information: NIH/NIDA, R01, DA049891
Study time period: 2020 - 2025
Applying Team Charters to Improve Distance Training Outcomes for Autism Interventions in Public Mental Health Services and Schools
Principal Investigator(s): Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Aubyn Stahmer, Ph.D. UC Davis
The purpose of this R34 is to develop and test a team charter-enhanced implementation strategy for distance training to increase the reach and effectiveness of two evidence-based intervention practices (EBPs) for autism across two public service systems. Our research groups have adapted, tested, and implemented autism EBPs across two service systems: AIM HI (“An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for Autism”) in publicly funded mental health services and CPRT (“Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching”) in public school classrooms. The implementation strategy appears to be less effective when EBP training is provided from a distance, resulting in fewer providers completing training. Thus, geographic distance is a barrier for children and families needing care, and for high-quality provider training. Although there are many advantages to distance training, and this will be increasingly required with the sustained impact of COVID-19, preliminary data from our current trials reveal several challenges with providing high-quality EBP training and ongoing consultation/coaching remotely. Distance training requires effective and efficient coordination between individuals with different roles and backgrounds. Thus, we propose to co-create and pilot test a team charter-enhanced implementation strategy using “team charters” to increase the reach of Autism EBPs through distance training.
Funding Information: NIMH, P50, MH126231
Study time period: 2022 - 2027
Enhancing team effectiveness for a collaborative school-based intervention for ADHD
Principal Investigator(s): Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Linda Pfiffner, Ph.D. UC San Francisco, Miguel Villodas, Ph.D. San Diego State University
The IN STEP R01 research project aims to integrate team-based implementation strategies to enhance implementation of the Collaborative Life Skills Program (CLS), an established school-based intervention for children with ADHD in grades 2-5. We will tailor three empirically-supported team development interventions, Team Charters, Team Communication Training (Student Handoff Protocols), and Team Performance Monitoring, and integrate them with the CLS protocol to create a team-enhanced CLS implementation protocol (CLS-T). We will conduct a Hybrid Type III cluster randomized trial in 24 schools in two large urban school districts, to evaluate whether CLS-T implementation results in improved implementation outcomes and child outcomes in comparison to standard CLS implementation.
Funding Information: NIMH, R01, MH126231-02
Study time period: 2022 - 2027
Adapting an ASD Executive Functioning Intervention for Implementation in Children’s Mental Health Services
Principal Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon
Co-Investigator(s): Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Gregory Aarons, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Lauren Kenworthy, Children's National, Laura Anthony, Ph.D. University of Colorado, Scott Roesch, Ph.D. San Diego State University
The aims of the current project are to use an implementation science framework to: 1) conduct a needs and context assessment to inform the systematic adaptation of an ASD EF intervention (Unstuck and on Target [UOT]) for implementation in child mental health services; 2) systematically adapt UOT and develop a corresponding plan; and 3) conduct a feasibility pilot test of the adapted intervention and corresponding implementation plan in community mental health settings.
Funding Information: NIMH, K23, K23MH115100
Study time period: 2018 - 2023
Expanding Care Coordination and Developing Organizational Implementation Supports to Improve Disparity Reduction Efforts
Principal Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon
Co- Prinicpal Investigator(s): Elva Arredondo, Ph.D. San Diego State University
Apply implementation science methods to expand a care coordinator model to include an evidence-based mental health intervention and corresponding implementation strategies to address care disparities for underserved minority individuals served by a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Funding Information: NIMHD, U54 Awarded to SDSU, U54 MD012397
Study time period: 2021 - 2023
Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of an Executive Functioning Intervention for Children's Mental Health Services
Principal Investigator: Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon
Co-Investigator(s): Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Laura Anthony, Ph.D. University of Colorado, Sarah Kennedy, Ph.D. University of Colorado, Scott Roesch, Ph.D. San Diego State University
Autism is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition, affecting 1 in 36 youth. The annual cost in the U.S. of autism was $223 billion in 2020 and is estimated to rise to $589 billion by 2030. Outcomes are poor and care disparities and high rates of unmet service needs are common. Mental health services play a key role in caring for autistic youth. There have been efforts to develop evidence-based interventions (EBIs) with the potential to lessen the public health burden of autism. Yet, research indicates limited community EBI penetration. There is an urgent need to focus on EBIs that improve mental health services for autism and optimize outcomes for this priority, complex population. Executive functioning (EF) is a potent mechanism underlying autism and commonly co-occurring mental health conditions. EF impairments (e.g., inflexibility, poor goal setting, poor planning) contribute to negative outcomes spanning multiple areas (e.g., academic, vocational, health). Our work underscores the impact of EF deficits on mental health services, including its transdiagnostic impact on the majority of children served in this setting and its role as a barrier to psychotherapy engagement and progress. EF is responsive to treatment, and mental health therapists cite a significant need and motivation for EF treatments, making EF EBIs highly relevant for community mental health settings. However, EF EBIs have not been widely used and tested in such settings. Autism EBIs, or those developed or adapted for autistic youth, have the potential to enhance mental health services, in addition to improving service quality for the populations targeted (e.g., autism). This is due to the specific components and strategies incorporated into the EBI to enhance its impact and fit. We propose a Hybrid Type 2 randomized trial examining the effectiveness and implementation of an autism EF EBI (Unstuck and On Target) in community mental health settings. Unstuck and On Target is a cognitive-behavioral EF intervention effective for autism. With NIMH funding (K23MH115100;), Unstuck and On Target was systematically adapted for and tested in mental health settings, with a pilot test suggesting its preliminary effectiveness, high fidelity, and use beyond autism. Findings have the potential to transform implementation and service quality for the high priority population of autistic youth as well as youth generally. Aim 1. Evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of an autism EBI (Unstuck and On Target), relative to a non-autism transdiagnostic intervention (Unified Protocol for Children) for autistic youth. Aim 2. Evaluate mediators of EBI training effects to confirm engaged change mechanisms of clinical and implementation outcomes. Aim 3. Explore the generalized effects of EBI training on reach and improved psychotherapy quality with non-autistic youth.
Funding Information: NIMH, R01, R01MH137179
Study time period: 2024 – 2029
Redesigning an Autism Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Toolkit for Middle and High Schools
Principal Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon, Jill Locke, Ph.D. University of Washington
Co-Investigator(s): Amy Drahota, Ph.D. Michigan State, Scott Roesch, Ph.D. San Diego State University
For the more than 450,000 autistic adolescents served in public schools, there is an urgent need for additional supports that address ongoing challenges to educators’ successful selection and delivery of autism evidence- based practices (EBPs). The proposed innovative redesign of an autism implementation toolkit (entitled ACT SMART) targeting EBP decision-making for middle and high schools has the potential to meet the need for systematic supports for the selection and implementation of appropriate EBPs that considers the needs of schools, educators, and autistic adolescents. The aims of the current project are to: 1) Engage stakeholders to identify targets for ACT SMART redesign to optimize its fit for middle and high school providers who serve autistic adolescents; 2) Conduct prototyping and usability field testing of the redesigned ACT SMART and iteratively refine to ensure usability, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness for use in schools.
Funding Information: NIMH, R21, 5R21MH130793
Study time period: 2022 – 2025
Taking on the Heat: Community Action to Adapt an Extreme Heat Intervention
Principal Investigator(s): Eyal Oren, Ph.D. San Diego State University, Miguel Angel Zavala Perez, Ph. D. San Diego State University
Co-Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon, Elva Arredondo, Ph.D. San Diego State University, Jill Drumbauld, M.P.H. San Diego State University, Tanya Penn, M.P.H. San Diego State University, Paula Stigler Granados, Ph.D. San Diego State University
The overarching goals of the proposed Taking on the Heat: Community Action to Adapt an Extreme Heat Intervention San Diego State University/ San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Prevention Research Center (PRC) is to reduce the disparate health impacts of extreme heat in disproportionately impacted populations. The PRC will be organized into a PRC Center Component (PRC-CC), a PRC Core Research Project Component (PRC-RP) and a PRC Network Component (PRC-N). The PRC-CC’s primary aim will be to build, leverage, and support the necessary partnerships and infrastructure to expand and sustain institutional and community capacity to conduct the PRC-RP and additional applied prevention and dissemination and implementation research.
The PRC-RP will focus on the chronic disease prevention priority category of reducing UV overexposure and mitigating the effects of extreme heat. We will address the science gap of how communities interested in using evidence-based interventions (EBI) for mitigating the health effects of extreme heat can improve uptake through implementation science methods. Using high-quality public health Community-Based Participatory Research and implementation science methods, we will adopt and implement the Phoenix Heat Action Planning Guide Heat Action Planning Guide for Neighborhoods of Greater Phoenix from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Community Actions Database in the historically disinvested agricultural setting of Imperial Valley, CA. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework and community-informed participatory planning process called Implementation Mapping will drive the adaptation and implementation of the EBI through workshops, focus groups, capacity training, and home and school visits to communities facing heat inequities.
The PRC-N will participate in the PRC Network to leverage the expertise of the network members to inform individual core research project and center activities and advance the network’s collective impact in public health prevention research, policy, and practice.
Funding Information: CDC, Prevention Research Center
Study time period: 2024-2029
Team Effectiveness Factors in the Implementation of Autism Evidence-Based Practices
Principal Investigator(s): Allison Jobin, Ph.D. California State Univeristy San Marcos, Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Aubyn Stahmer, Ph.D. UC Davis
Co-Investigator(s): Elizabeth Rangel, Ph.D. UC Davis, Patricia Schetter, M.Ed. Placer County Office of Education, Katherine Williams, Ph.D., Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego
The purpose of this R03 is to identify specific team-based inputs and processes of evidence-based practice (EBP) leadership teams associated with effective implementation of autism EBPs in community settings. Despite the importance of leadership teams in children’s mental health and education services, there is minimal research on effective teams for autism EBP implementation. Team effectiveness research (TER) specifies team-level factors as key levers impacting outcomes. Little research has attempted to understand these factors and how they are involved within EBP leadership teams, which has potential to improve their impact and scalability. Applying a community-partnered approach, this project capitalizes on existing data from statewide implementation trials to improve understanding of the role of teams in EBP implementation outcomes and has the potential to inform development of team-based implementation strategies to further promote effective autism EBP implementation efforts. We will apply secondary coding and analysis of team characteristics and in-group process data from a team-based EBP implementation strategy across two service systems to: (1) Identify team inputs associated with implementation outcomes, and (2) Identify team processes associated with implementation outcomes. Together, findings related to potent team-based factors (i.e. team inputs, key processes) will support a larger-scale project to develop and test an EBP implementation team toolkit for school and youth mental health services in collaboration with community partners.
Funding Information: NIMH, P50, MH126231
Study time period: 2023 - 2024
Personalizing Parent Training Interventions for Culturally Diverse Families
Principal Investigator(s): Kristen McCabe, Ph.D. University of San Diego, May Yeh, Ph.D. San Diego State University
Co-Investigator(s): Argero Zerr, Ph.D. California State University Channel Islands
Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) interventions have been shown to be effective treatments for young children with behavior problems. However, not all families benefit, and ethnic minority families in particular are less likely to enroll, engage, and improve in BPT, in part because some aspects of these treatments may not fit with culturally influenced beliefs and attitudes about child mental health and its treatment. One way of improving engagement and outcomes in BPT for culturally diverse families may be to personalize the delivery of treatments by enhancing or modifying aspects of their delivery to increase the cultural fit of the treatment to the family when research suggests this might be helpful. In this project, we developed a personalization approach (PersIn) that utilizes cultural assessment results to tailor a BPT called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to individual families in order maximize cultural responsiveness to a specific family while still being deliverable to a culturally diverse population. We then pilot tested this intervention, called MY PCIT, with 32 families from a range of racial/ethnic groups (African American, Asian American, Latinx, and Non-Hispanic White) that were seeking treatment for their child’s clinically significant behavior problems.
Funding Information: NIMH, R34, R34MH109561
Study time period: 2016 - 2021
A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial Of A School Based Executive Function Treatment For Transition Age Youth With Autism
Principal Investigator: Cara Pugaliese, Ph.D. Children’s National Hospital
Co-Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon, Lauren Kenworthy, Ph.D. Children’s National Hospital, Laura Anthony, Ph.D. University of Colorado
Individuals without intellectual disability make up the fastest-growing subgroup of autism spectrum disorders, but as few as 9% reach full functional independence as adults. This project tests the effectiveness of a novel school-based executive function intervention for transition-age youth with autism, to improve flexible problem- solving and planning skills that drive pivotal adult outcomes. If successful, the proposed project will demonstrate the widespread effectiveness and feasibility of an accessible intervention to improve transition outcomes for youth with autism that can be rapidly disseminated and implemented by schools across the nation.
Funding Information: NIMH, R01, R01MH124772
Study time period: 2021-2025
Policy Implementation Research on Earmarked Taxes for Mental Health Services
Principal Investigator(s): Jonathan Purtle, Dr.P.H. New York University, Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego
The goal of this study is to generate knowledge about how to enhance the ability of earmarked taxes for mental health to increase the reach of evidence-based practices that improve population mental health.
Funding Information: NIMH, R21, MH125261
Study time period: 2020 - 2023
Expanding the PUENTE Network to Meet Emerging Needs
Principal Investigators: Sarah Rieth, Ph.D. San Diego State University, Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Brenda Bello-Vazquez, San Diego Regional Center
Close examination of administrative claims data for services to individuals with developmental disabilities idenitifed spending disparities for Latinx families compared to non-Latinx families. In consultation with stakeholders, a short-term parent-to-parent psychoeducation and empowerment intervention was established and delivered to families of adolescents. Program evaluation data indicated a need for ongoing support and connection in order to further support family engagementi n the service system. This projects provides ongoing group support for families who graduate from the PUENT psychoeducation program; and (2) provides access to individual components the PUENTE curriculum through multiple community facing avenues (e.g., promotoras presenting PUENTE content within existing community groups/events and holding SDRC office hours). Specifically, a PUENTE network will be co-designed with multiple stakeholders and then pilot tested to assess feasibility, reach, and acceptability.
Funding Information: California Department of Developmental Services, Service Access and Equity, 22-SDRC-01
Study time period: 2023 - 2024
A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation RCT of Virtual Interview Training for Autistic Transition-Age Youth
Principal Investigator(s): Matthew Smith, Ph.D. University of Michigan, Mary Baker-Ericzen, Ph.D. San Diego State University
Co-Investigator(s): Jessica Suhreinrich, Ph.D. San Diego State University
This project evaluates the effectiveness of Virtual Interview Training for Transition Age Youth (VIT) at enhancing employment and mental health outcomes for autistic transition-age youth engaged in school-based pre-employment transition services (ETS). In collaboration with members of the autism community, we created a virtual job interview training program using virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology to help autistic students answer job interview questions. We want to test if this program helps students with autism improve their job interview skills, become less nervous about job interviews, and increase their access to jobs. This program includes an educational component (information about the job search and application process), practice completing online job applications, and mock interviews with a virtual reality interviewer.
We are currently seeking community partners in high schools and vocational programs. Participants are eligible if they are autistic, between the ages of 16-26 years old, and have a 4th grade reading comprehension level. Students, staff, and programs are compensated for their participation. Participants will also maintain their access to the software once the study is complete, so they can continue to practice their interview skills. If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact us at autismstudyarpe@sdsu.edu.
Funding Information: NIMH, R01, R01MH132656-01
Additional Information: Video on the Rita & Travis training software
Adapting and Implementing an Integrated Care Model for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Psychiatric Comorbidity
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego
The study used implementation science theory and methods and a research-community partnership approach to: 1) identify targets to improve mental health screening and linkage to mental health services in primary care for children with autism, 2) adapt integrated care procedures into “Access To Tailored Autism INtegrated Care,” ATTAIN, to facilitate identification of mental health problems and linkage to evidence-based care for youth with autism, and 3) conduct an open trial feasibility pilot test of ATTAIN in pediatric primary care.
Funding Information: NIMH, K23
Study time period: 2017 - 2022
CO-CREATE-Ex: Community-engaged Optimization of COVID-19 Rapid Evaluation And TEsting Experiences
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego, Louise Laurent, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Borsika Rabin, Ph.D. UC San Diego
Other Collaborator(s): Global Action Research Center, San Ysidro Health
In our Phase I RADx-UP project, UC San Diego partnered with San Ysidro Health, a federally qualified health center, and the Global Action Research Center, a social change organization, to co-create and demonstrate the impact of a PCR-based COVID-19 testing program in San Ysidro, one of the most impacted areas from COVID-19 in San Diego County. To date, we have tested >10,000 community members (92% Latino) and received requests to scale-out the testing program to additional primary care clinic sites. In this Phase III proposal, we will extend work with our Phase I community and clinical partners to refine, specify, implement, and evaluate an implementation strategy bundle that optimizes COVID-19 testing, expanding beyond current PCR testing to FDA-authorized COVID-19 rapid antigen testing.
Funding Information: NIMHD, U01, MD018308-01
Study time period: 2022 - 2024
Developing and Testing a Team Communication Training Implementation Strategy for Depression Screening in a Pediatric Health Care System
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego
Co-Investigator(s): Gregory Aarons, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Jonathan Helm, Ph.D. San Diego State University
The objective is to refine and test a team communication training implementation strategy to improve implementation of an existing pediatric depression screening protocol in a large pediatric healthcare system. The implementation strategy will target team mechanisms at the organizational-level (intra-organizational alignment and implementation climate) and provider-level (communication, coordination, psychological safety, and shared cognition).
Funding Information: NIMH, P50, MH126231
Study time period: 2022 - 2027
Refining and Implementing Technology-Enhanced Family Navigation to Promote Early Access and Engagement with Mental Health Services for Youth with Autism
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego
Other Collaborator(s): Kaiser Permanente
This proposal aims to test the effectiveness and implementation of technology-enhanced family navigation to promote early access to, and engagement in evidence-based mental health care for children with autism plus mental health comorbidity.
Funding Information: NIMH, R34, MH120190
Study time period: 2020 - 2024
San Diego Center for AIDS Research Implementation Science Hub
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego, Borsika Rabin, Ph.D. UC San Diego
The SD CFAR IS hub will provide consultation and technical assistance to Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) projects and will be a value-added to both the EHE initiative and the broader field of IS research and practice.
Funding Information: NIH/NIAID, P30 supplement
Study time period: 2020 - 2024
Scaling and Sustaining COVID-19 Vaccination through Meaningful Community Engagement and Care Coordination for Underserved Communities
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego, Borsika Rabin, Ph.D. UC San Diego
Other Collaborator(s): Global Action Research Center, San Ysidro Health
The goal of this study is to co-refine, test, and scale a multicomponent health program to address the multi-level barriers to vaccine uptake and engagement in primary and secondary preventative healthcare in immigrant, refugee, Latino, and Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities in San Diego.
Funding Information: NIMHD, R01, MD017222
Study time period: 2022 - 2027
Share, Trust, Organize, Partner: The COVID-19 California Alliance (STOP COVID-19 CA)
Principal Investigator(s): Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., MPH UC San Diego, Borsika Rabin, Ph.D. UC San Diego
Other Collaborator(s): The Global Action Research Center
This is a California community engagement collaborative aimed at co-creating and evaluating community-driven strategies to increase participation of underserved communities in COVID-19 therapeutic trials.
Funding Information: NIMHD/NHLBI, OTA
Study period: 2020 - 2024
Integration and Evaluation of the cMHQ, a Novel Transdiagnostic Mental Assessment in Clinical Pediatric Practice
Principal Investigator(s): Tara Thiagarajan, Ph.D. Sapien Labs, Nicole Stadnick, Ph.D., M.P.H., UC San Diego
Co-Investigator(s): Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D. UC San Diego, Benjamin Maxwell, M.D. UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital, Cynthia Kuelbs M.D. UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital, Joshua Gibney M.D. UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital
This study addresses the workflow challenges of commericalizing the Clinical Mental Health Quotient (cMHQ) assessment tool for precision screening and diagnosis of mental health disorders. Investigators at Sapien Labs, UC San Diego, and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego will co-design a workflow for both primary care and behavioral healthcare for the pediatric versions fo the cMHQ, as well as a short screener the MHQ-10, to integrate these tools into the workflow at RCHSD and evaluate their feasibility, acceptability, and perceived benefits. Sapien Labs intends to position the clinical pediatric MHQ suite (MHQ-10 and cMHQ) for widespread adoption by designing, implementing, and evaluating an optimal workflow for both pediatric primary care and behavioral health. This will be done in collaboration with UCSD INSTEP and RCHSD at RCHSD's innovative mental health integration hubs that include primary care clinics with embedded mental health services and referral hubs.
Funding Information: NIMH, Small Business Innovation Research Grant, R44MH127999
Study time period: 2024 – 2026
SDSU HealthLINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Disparities Research
Principal Investigator(s): Kristen Well, Ph.D. San Diego State University, Guadalupe Ayala, Ph.D. San Diego State University
Co-Investigator(s): Kelsey Dickson, Ph.D. University of Oregon, Elva Arredondo, Ph.D. San Diego State University
The SDSU HealthLINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Disparities Research (SDSU HealthLINK Center; Center) was established in 2018 to augment investigator, partner, and institutional capacity for minority health and health disparities (MHHD) research at SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley (SDSUIV), a second campus located in a rural community along the California-Mexico border. SDSU is a Minority-Serving Institution with health-related doctoral programs in several health-related disciplines. Despite significant strides in improving individual, partner, and institutional capacity to conduct innovative, transdisciplinary research, our institutions continue to lack adequate infrastructure and support services to foster research. Thus, the objective of the SDSU HealthLINK Center is to build capacity within individuals and institutions to allow for new discoveries to be made and the translation of these discoveries to evidence-based practices and policies to promote health equity and reduce health disparities. In this revised renewal application, in response to RFA-MD-24-001, we propose the following five specific aims that align with the goals of the RCMI specialized centers: 1) enhance institutional research capacity; 2) enhance investigator and partner capacity; 3) foster an institutional environment conducive to career development; 4) enhance the availability of research tools and resources; and 5) cultivate sustainable research and research translation efforts with community partner organizations. To accomplish Aim 1, the Center will support the implementation of three innovative research projects (RPs), including a basic biomedical RP, a behavioral/population RP, and a clinical/health services RP. In addition, through the Research Capacity and Community Engagement Cores, the RP teams will receive training and consultation in innovative and rigorous approaches for engaging in MHHD research. To accomplish Aim 2, the Center will fund 10 pilot projects and support their completion and transition to extramural funding through focused grant writing and project management training, gaps identified in our first 5-yr. funding cycle. To accomplish Aim 3, the Center will broaden the reach of the knowledge and skills transfer process by hosting career enhancement workshops for a broader audience, and fostering the use of research services through the RCC and CEC, in part, by promoting the established Cost Recovery Service. To accomplish Aim 4, the Center will expand the availability of research services to include training in data science and the ethical conduct of human subjects’ research. Research training and tools will be broadly disseminated through the Center- developed Health Science Research Portal. To accomplish Aim 5, the Center will maintain a 12-member Community Coalition to foster the uptake of evidence-based practices and policies. This application to renew the SDSU HealthLINK Center will simultaneously address critical needs identified by faculty, staff, and administration at SDSU and SDSUIV, as well as foster innovative transdisciplinary MHHD research that has the potential to promote health equity and reduce health disparities.
Funding Information: NIMHD, U54, 2U54MD012397
Study time period: 2024-2029