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Advancing Implementation Science to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
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Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) involving child abuse, neglect, and household violence as well as mental illness, incarceration, and substance abuse are linked to a lifetime of poor health outcomes. ACEs disrupt brain development and harm the immune system, resulting in cognitive impairment, risky health behaviors, chronic disease, and early death. An international network of researchers, health officials, foundations, service agencies, and community advocates is working to increase awareness of the harm of ACEs and develop effective strategies for their prevention, mitigation, and treatment. As the evaluator of several important ACEs initiatives, Community Science is developing groundbreaking evaluation tools and approaches to advance the science of how to address this complex problem more effectively at multiple levels.
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SPOTLIGHT ON:
Change in Mind
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The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Palix Foundation's Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, is leading the three-year initiative Change in Mind: Applying Neurosciences to Revitalize Communities. The initiative aims to help service providers infuse research on adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress, and brain development into their organizations' programs, practices, and policies, and work with others to support systems and policy change, impacting child and family outcomes across the life course. Fifteen nonprofit organizations will lead these efforts across communities in the U.S. and Alberta, Canada.
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| Staff Profile: Sofia Sabirova |
 Sofia Sabirova, M.S., Research Assistant, has focused on assessing the impact of social and economic factors on health disparities, and the influence of legal and social factors on incarceration rates in federal and state prisons, during her professional career. At Community Science, she works on various projects, including an assessment of the National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention (NRC), and an evaluation of the Youth Justice Leadership Institute, a project of the National Juvenile Justice Network. Sofia collects, analyzes, and summarizes quantitative and qualitative data.
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The American Evaluation Association (AEA) held their Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, November 9-14, 2015. Community Science presented during various sessions and workshops. A major focus of our work this year was systems change evaluation using cross case study methodology. Check out our team in action!
Brandon Coffee-Borden, M.P.P, Associate, presents with Evelyn Yang, Ph.D., Senior Associate, during a session titled, "Funder and Evaluator Perspectives on Implementing and Evaluating Statewide Efforts to Achieve Comprehensive Community Change."
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Evaluating Health Equity Efforts in Connecticut
Community Science has been working with the Connecticut Health Foundation since 2007, evaluating their work to promote a healthy state. Check out this BLOG POST written by Kien Lee, Ph.D., Principal Associate/Vice President, and Sinead Younge, Ph.D., Managing Associate, about last year's evaluation findings.
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Upcoming Conferences and Call for Papers
February 2016 Program
February 1-13, 2016
Washington, DC
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Careers @ Community Science
We are always eager to know about professionals who have experience in producing community and systems change work of the highest quality and who want to make a difference in this world. Visit the Community Science CAREERS page to learn more about working at Community Science.
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About Community Science
Community Science is an award winning research and development organization that works with governments, foundations, and non-profit organizations on solutions to social problems through community and other systems changes. To learn more, visit our PROJECTS page.
To discuss how Community Science can collaborate with your organization, contact us at 301-519-0722 or info@communityscience.com
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