PENN STATE MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES RESEARCH INITIATIVE

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1 PENN STATE MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES RESEARCH INITIATIVE Keith Aronson, Ph.D. Daniel Perkins, Ph.D. Association of Public and Land Grant Universities The Board on Human Sciences Meeting March 8, 2012

2 MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INITIATIVE Our Mission Catalyze basic and translational research to improve the health and well-being of military personnel and families. Mechanisms 1.Form interdisciplinary research teams 2.Provide teams with pilot funds ($5,000+) 3.Develop collaborative relationships with military entities (e.g., Department of Defense, Service branches, PA NG) 4.ID and team with funding agencies (e.g., NIH, USDA, DoD)

3 MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INITIATIVE Penn State President Dr. Rod Erickson The Military Family Research Initiative began in 2009 with $250,000 in funds from the OVPR and SSRI. Penn State VP Research Dr. Hank Foley Social Science Research Institute Dr. Susan McHale Dr. Keith Aronson Incubating Applied Research Center? Military Family Research Initiative Dr. Daniel Perkins Dr. Keith Aronson The Military Family Research Initiative is visible at Penn State. It has been highlighted to Pennsylvania legislators PSU BOT, and PSU benefactors. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness Dr. Daniel Perkins Dr. Keith Aronson

4 MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INITIATIVE Penn State Funded Projects The School Liaison Program of the United States Marine Corps Adapting TimeWise for Use with the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment Helping Spouses Support Marines & Themselves Following Deployment The Impact of Suicide on Military Families The Changing Role of Women in the Military Family Focused Support & Prevention for Military Families Improving Parent-Connectedness Using Web-Based Tools Understanding the Employment Needs of PA Reservists & Families

5 MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INITIATIVE Projects Funded by Military Partners Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness DoD/USDA Resource Center for the Prevention of Child Obesity DoD/USDA Evaluation Planning for Family Readiness Programs DoD/USDA Analysis of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) RA Curriculum Development for the YRRP RA Prospective Evaluation of the YRRP RA Impact of Suicide on Military Family Survivors USMC Enhancing Navy Youth Sports & Fitness US Navy Better Kid Care DoD/USDA/U of Nebraska

6 MILITARY FAMILY RESEARCH INITIATIVE PSU Military Initiative Lessons Learned ID University Wide Strengths Germane to Military Issues Cooperative Extension for Geographically Dispersed Talk to Experienced Military researchers (we spoke to UNC, VTECH, UGA, Stony Brook, et al.) Please talk to us!! Conferences (e.g., DoD, USDA Family Resilience, Military Health System) Military Culture Make Military Contacts (start local, state NG & Reserve) Jump-Start Activity (internal seed grants) [(PATIENCE + PERSISTENCE + VALUE) X TIME] 2 TRUE PARTNERSHIP

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8 The Clearinghouse Mission: Improve health, well-being, & readiness of military families Primary Goal: Build the capacity & enhance the effectiveness of pros by assisting them identify, select, implement, evaluate, & sustain EB programs/practices Platform: Interactive, searchable, web-based resource center + professional technical assistance Deliverables: a. Review & place EB programs & evidence-informed practices b. Info on EB programs (e.g., target pop, components, cost) c. Learning community = vodcasts, useful links, webinars d. TA consultations e. Syntheses of research on military families f. Process & outcome evals of existing programs

9 CLEARINGHOUSE Technical Assistance (800-number, live chat, , in-person) Mechanisms of technical support include: Peer support, coaching, consults, and mentorship Types of technical assistance requests may include: Building site readiness Program selection Assistance with implementation issues Assessing program capacity to go to scale Evaluability and evaluation studies Assisting with program sustainability

10 Significant Accomplishments Last 12 Months 1. Evaluated and placed 219 programs on continuum of evidence. 2. Resource Center for the Prevention of Childhood Obesity. 3. Evaluation of YRRP curriculum, now revamping it. 4. Conducting a needs assessment for the Exceptional Family Member Program to assist in the development of professional materials and decision-making processes. 5. Research synthesis for FAP s Congressional report on the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children. 6. Research synthesis on efficacy of non-medical counseling pertaining to MFLC/MOS. 7. Redesigning Navy Youth Sports & Fitness program. 8. Re-Designed Clearinghouse Website 9. NIH Proposal, 2 AF Proposals, 1 Army Pre-Proposal All Under Review

11 Some 2012 Activities 1. Hard Launch of Clearinghouse 2. Evaluate and place 200 more programs on continuum of evidence 3. Enhance Clearinghouse Reach (social media, vodcasts, webinars) 4. Survey of Clearinghouse Users 5. Enhanced Partnership with Reserve Affairs on Enhancements to YRRP & Retrospective Survey of YRRP Attendees 6. Developing a Roadmap for Military Branches to Evaluate Programs 7. Assist with the implementation of Navy Youth Sports and Fitness Program Re-Design. 8. Funded Grant Projects 9. New Grant Proposals 10.Publications

12 Thank You! For more information on the Clearinghouse, contact: Keith Aronson Daniel Perkins at Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness The Pennsylvania State University 002 Allenway Building University Park, PA Toll Free: (877)