HCH Research Update | February 2011

As part of the 2011 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium, the Council is offering a pre-conference institute on research for administrators, clinicians, and consumers. This year's institute will examine the research process from forming a research question to disseminating results and translating findings into policy recommendations.

Speaker presentations will provide an overview of the process from beginning to end, share information about the resources and partnerships necessary to carry out a successful research project, and describe how to involve consumers in research. The session will also address how research findings can contribute to advocacy work and policy reform, as many policy changes are needed in order to end homelessness and provide quality health care to those who are currently homeless. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and build partnerships for future research endeavors.

The 2011 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium will take place June 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC. The research pre-conference institute will take place on June 22nd at the same location. Please mark your calendars!

> > Learn more about the 2011 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium

Reminder: Early registration begins March 14th!

PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH NETWORK

Join the Council's PBRN

The Council's Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) focuses on research in clinical settings that explores issues affecting the primary health care needs of those experiencing homelessness.

The HCH PBRN Steering Committee collaborates with the Council's Research Coordinating Committee to develop and manage research projects of particular relevance to homeless health care practice. Once the Steering Committee approves a research proposal, staff invites HCH PBRN members to participate.

To join the HCH PBRN and receive invitations to participate in studies, please contact Darlene Jenkins, DrPH, the Council's Director of Evaluation and Research. Our newest members are:

Jeri Weeks | Community Health Centers of Lane County
Pat Christopher, MPA | Charles Drew Health Center, Inc.

If you are interested in conducting research with the HCH PBRN, please download and complete the Research Proposal Form on our website.

> > Contact Director of Research & Evaluation, Darlene Jenkins, DrPH

> > More about the HCH Practice-Based Research Network

COUNCIL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

CITI Certification

The Collaboration Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) offers research ethics education to all members of the research community. The Council recently acquired an account with CITI and plans to offer the training to members of the Council who plan to conduct research on homelessness and health. There are 21 modules offered through the Council's online curriculum, some of which are optional. If you or your staff are interested in obtaining this training certification, please contact Molly Meinbresse to enroll in the course.

> > Contact Program & Research Specialist, Molly Meinbresse, MPH

Enabling Services Accountability Project
The Council has been approached by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization (AAPCHO) to participate in their Enabling Services Accountability Project. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is also participating in an attempt to recruit Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) to join the study. Engaging in the Enabling Services Accountability Project will provide the Council an opportunity to document enabling services utilized by persons experiencing homelessness. Enabling services include, but are not limited to, outreach, transportation, health education, and interpretation services. The Council will recruit HCH grantees through the HCH PBRN as well as Medical Respite Centers for participation as the details of the collaboration for this project with AAPCHO finalize.

> > Learn more about the Enabling Services Accountability Project

Women's Alcohol Risk Study
The Council is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts to submit a grant in February 2011, to conduct an epidemiological study to examine the co-morbidities of substance abuse and mental health that exist among women who are homeless. Ten geographically diverse HCH grantees have agreed to participate. If funded, the study will begin engaging in data collection early next year.

AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY

Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)
The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) is dedicated to improving health care safety and quality through the development of partnerships and the provision of information and tools. The transformation of research into practice is of primary relevance to the AHRQ. Various research publications and activities are produced each year. You can find announcements of AHRQ products on their website as well as summaries of research findings from studies supported by the AHRQ. To receive updates on AHRQ Research Activities, sign up for their online newsletter.

> > Sign Up for the Research Activities Newsletter

TREATMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Treatment Research Institute
In December 2010, the Treatment Research Institute (TRI) launched a new research center in Philadelphia for parents of substance-using adolescents. The center is the "first-of-its-kind" and will focus on translating evidence-based research into specific strategies and tools that will help parents better assist their teen-aged children who are struggling with substance abuse problems. The research center has received funding for five years by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. All developed treatments and interventions will be led by the parents involved at the research center.

TRI is a non-profit research and development organization specializing in science-driven reform of policy and practice in substance use and abuse.

> > Visit the TRI website for more details

CALL FOR PAPERS

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM) is pleased to announce a call for papers for a theme issue on "Teams in Primary Care." The next phase of high quality medicine counts on teams of care. JAMBFM encourages papers that report the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly; the big, grand schemes and the little ones that make a difference.

Every day, health care providers are making changes that alter the dynamics of teams and our provision of best care. What works? How do we translate our knowledge of behavior change to this group level? How does technology fit with team functioning? JABFM is also interested in theories of teams in primary care, with an eye toward both the past and the future. JABFM invites papers that report interventions and include a variety of well-accepted and innovative research methodologies.

Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2011

> > More from the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

IN NEED OF TRAINING OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE?

Let us Meet your Training and Technical Assistance Needs
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council is a federally supported, national provider of technical assistance and trainings for homeless health care providers and other federally qualified health centers. We offer trainings and technical assistance on a number of topics, including medical respite care. To inquire about our trainings and technical assistance, please contact Victoria Raschke, our Director of Technical Assistance and Training.

> > Contact the Director of Technical Assistance and Training

HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council and the HCH Clinicians' Network produce and distribute this publication with support from the Health Resources & Services Administration. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the editor and do not necessarily represent the official views of HRSA or the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.