examples of past projects ...
Rockefeller Foundation
Eve Ensler, award-winning playwright, performer, and activist, participated in the recent V-Day events in NYC. MATRIX provided assessment and evaluation services to the V-Day organization, which was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation.
In partnership with V Day a national organization to endviolence against women and girls, MATRIX is assessing STOP THE VIOLENCE: NYC. During the month of June in New York, a series of arts and cultural activities including celebrities focused on raising public awareness and funds to stop the violence. MATRIX gathered surveys from over 3500 individuals and attended over 30 events to obtain knowledge about factors that might impact violence towards women and girls and help V Day achieve their goals.
Adolescent Substance Abuse – Research to Practice
In collaboration with RYASAP and the Department of Children and Families we facilitated a multi-agency statewide taskforce with the purpose of identifying and implementing evidence-based practices for adolescent substance abuse treatment. Components of this project involved organizing workshops for treatment service providers and working closely with model program developers to insure the provision of clear training materials and training objectives. Since the completion of this project numerous providers have received funding to implement evidence-based practices and we are now serving as evaluators on several of these projects.
HHS Office of Women’s Health HIV/AIDS Mentoring Program
MATRIX contracted with the federal Office of Women's Health on a mentoring project where one-on-one technical assistance was provided to grassroots and established organizations with the purpose of improving the delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services to women.
Evidence Based Research to Practice – Professional Services
As part of a contract with SAMHSA 's Center for Mental Health Services, provided professional services on evidence-based practices by reviewing model programs in the National Registry for Effective Programs (NREP) with the purpose of identifying programs that might also be applicable to mental health (in addition to substance abuse) . In addition to reviewing existing programming, reports were written that addressed the current state of prevention on the national level including available graduate-level training, prevention credentialing in the area of mental health for professionals, seminal prevention documents, and early psychosis intervention work. Lastly, a graduate course curriculum was drafted on the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders.
Children with Special Health Care Needs - Statewide Practice Change Initiative
In conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Public Health we participated in several phases of restructuring the provision of care for CSHCN in the state following HRSA and AAP federal guidelines for implementing medical homes as a model of care. During Phase I we conducted a statewide needs assessment of families as well as providers, in order to identify strengths as well as gaps and barriers in service delivery. In Phase II we conducted a process evaluation study of the care provided by two centers for CSHCN as well as a pilot medical home evaluation project. In Phase III we have been providing technical assistance to the Medical Home Learning Collaborative – a core group of medical homes existing across the state. During our engagement we helped expand the original core group of three pediatric providers to a statewide network involving eleven providers. Our work involved developing a training curriculum, service protocols (individualized care plans, treatment plans), and individualized technical assistance regarding data collection and monitoring. For further information contact Richard Edmonds, Chief, Public Health Initiatives Branch, Connecticut Department of Public Health (860-509-8197). A copy of the statewide needs assessment report is available here, with related information at the CT Department of Public health website on Children with Special Health Care Needs.
Healthcare for the Homeless - Statewide Change Initiative
In collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Health and a multi-agency statewide taskforce we conducted a study that examined the health care needs of the homeless population. The strategies used involved reviewing available information gathered on the homeless population regarding health and well-being, conducting surveys with providers of shelters regarding ways in which they addressed healthcare issues for their homeless clients, and a series of key informant interviews with stakeholders in the system of care, including homeless persons. For further information contact Richard Edmonds, Chief, Public Health Initiatives Branch, Connecticut Department of Public Health (richard.edmonds@po.state.ct.us; 860-509-8197). A copy of the report is available here.
Weed and Seed - Evaluation Study
Under contract with the City of New Haven, completed a summative evaluation for a local Department of Justice Weed and Seed Initiative which included recommendations applicable to the W&S neighborhood upon the completion of the initiative as well as the development of a second funded Weed and Seed initiative in the City.
Coalition Building & Survival Toolkit - Capacity Building
Under contract with the CT Department of Public Health, developed a toolkit to assist coalitions in building their capacity. The toolkit, available from the DPH ( webmaster.dph@po.state.ct.us), addresses issues such as financial stability, board development, resource development, and evaluation.
New Haven Fairfield Counties Ryan White Title I Planning Council - Quality Management/Quality Assurance
Technical assistance was provided to the City of New Haven Title I Office and Planning Council in the form of a quality assurance project on standards of care. In our work we developed standards of care for mental health, substance abuse and dental health using 'service pods' of providers to assist in the development of the standards. In addition six toolkits were developed with the purpose of training providers of services for substance abuse, mental health, primary care, dental health, case management and outreach, on the newly implemented standards of care. Workshops were provided on the standards of care as well as one-on-one agency level technical assistance. Over 28 agencies and 100 staff participated in these training activities.
