Research Projects

Dawn Anderson-Butcher Principal Investigator of the Community Youth Collaborative Institute at Ohio State (CAYCI), recently received funding from the Ohio State University Office of University Outreach & Engagement (O&E) to complete an assessment of the Executive Principals Leadership Academy (EPLA). The EPLA is an executive training program designed as part of the federal Race to the Top school improvement initiative. O&E is partnering with the Fisher College of Business and the Ohio Department of Education to implement the EPLA. The overall mission of the EPLA is to provide guidance and support that will improve academic culture state-wide and support student achievement. Specifically, the EPLA provides state-wide leadership training and technical assistance to secondary school principals focused on six instructional pillars: (1) organizational leadership and management; (2) goal setting; (3) team-building and communication; (4) cultural understanding; (5) accountability and responsibility; and (6) educational strategy. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the EPLA as an innovative model of principal leadership training. More specifically, this study will explore the benefits, impacts, limitations, challenges/barriers, and lessons learned as a result of implementing the EPLA. Understanding this important model will provide vital information in relation to principal training and professional development focused on school improvement priorities.

 

Scottye Cash was awarded funding from the Inspire USA Foundation to assist with the evaluation of youth discussion forums on ReachOut.com and the impact participation has on wellness, psychological distress, attitudes related to stigma, and discriminatory behavior. ReachOut.com is Inspire's mental health information and support website for teens and young adults, supported through a collaboration with Runyon, Saltzman & Einhorn, a communications firm in Sacramento. Funding for this project comes from the California Mental Health Services Authority, an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA administers programs funded by the California Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) on a statewide, regional and local basis. The discussion forum project is part of a collection of CalMHSA funded Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination related to mental illness.

 

Cynthia Fontanella was awarded a grant (Profiling Children and Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbance) through MEDTAPP funds by the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center, ODJFS, and ODMH. Childhood mental disorders are prevalent, disabling, and costly. Despite the high prevalence of childhood mental disorders, costs and availability of effective interventions, many youths receive inadequate treatment or no treatment at all. The primary aim of this research project is to assess patterns and quality of care received by children in Ohio’s public mental health system. Using existing statewide administrative Medicaid data, this project will focus on two dimensions of quality: 1) effectiveness of care, the use of appropriate treatment that are consistent with evidence-based practice guidelines; and 2) accessibility, the ability to receive needed services. Specific aims include: (1) to develop a clinical profile of children with serious emotional disturbances; (2) to examine patterns and trends of mental health service utilization and costs for children with serious emotional disturbances; and (3) To assess the quality of care for common childhood disorders (ADHD, depression, conduct disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder). Collaborators include Dr. Jeffrey Bridge, Dr. John Campo, Dr. Eric Seiber, and Dr. Jeff J. Guo.