Partner Agencies Research Articles

Defining Our Mission: A Content Analysis of U.S. Emergency Management Agency Mission Statements

Abstract The identity and mission of emergency management is a topic of frequent discussion among researchers and practitioners. However, the extent to which there is consensus across emergency management agencies about what their missions are is unclear. This study seeks to answer that question through a content analysis of the mission statements from 226 emergency management agencies representing all levels of government in the United States (i.e. federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local). Mission statements are a tool organizations use to indicate both externally and internally their raison d’etre. This study found there is consensus regarding emergency management agencies’ concern with “all-hazards” and the use of phases to organize their work. There were differences found in how agencies accounted for their constituencies, partner agencies, role identity, and goals. Despite some differences, this study found that overall agency mission statements across levels of government in the US align, suggesting consensus in the field of the mission of emergency management.

Integrated Primary Care Mental Health Service: A Qualitative Exploration of an Integrated Approach to Supporting People with Significant Mental Health Problems in Primary Care.

Individuals with significant mental health problems (SMHP) have historically faced challenges accessing mental health care due to gaps between primary and secondary care services. The National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Plan aims to bridge this gap through the introduction of integrated primary care services that provide holistic, person-centred, multidisciplinary support for people with SMHP. This evaluation aimed to explore the experience of service users, carers and staff working within this new model of care. A qualitative approach was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with N = 123 participants (n = 106 staff, n = 15 service users, n = 2 carers). Thematic analysis identified three themes: 'opening doors and improving experiences', 'tailored and timely care' and 'connected communities'. Findings showed that the Integrated Primary Care Mental Health Service enabled earlier and easier access to mental health support for people with SMHP and supported community engagement and cross-collaboration between the NHS and partner agencies. The findings underscore the value of the Integrated Service in providing accessible, comprehensive, and person-centred mental health support at a primary care level, highlighting the benefits of cross-partnership working.

BatLIT Community Extension Project, Bataan, Philippines, in Aid of Contextualization and Enhancement in the Basic Education

BatLIT is an acronym for Bataan Literature-Inspired Teaching, which is a community extension project in support of the Department of Education (DepEd) K-12 program in the Philippines that mandates contextualization and enhancement, also termed ‘Making the Curriculum Relevant to Learners’. The directive calls that in the delivery of instruction, the ‘examples, activities, songs, poems, stories, and illustrations are based on local culture, history, and reality relevant to the learners and easy to understand’. It is therefore aimed that local learning materials and literary outputs in multi-modal forms be produced for distribution to government and private institutions. Moreover, the project is an offshoot of two published research studies on Bataan literature that pioneered the retrieval, documentation, and dissemination of local writings in Bataan, Philippines. Having gathered sufficient volumes of local works, the Bataan Peninsula State University College of Education has pioneered the cascade of research outputs into extension activities to three pilot school beneficiaries representing basic education. The paper utilized the Input-Process-Outputs-Outcome (IPOO) framework as the methodology in the study which paved the way for its completion. The specified objectives of conducting regular monitoring, follow-ups, and visits to partner agencies, providing training workshops for teachers, creating learning materials through multi-modal texts, and integrating Bataan literature in the classroom lessons were attained productively. The results of the project yielded an expansion of the community extension activities to other agencies and educational institutions. Keywords: Community Extension, Bataan literature, Contextualization and Enhancement, Humanities, IPOO framework

Why is ECE enrollment so complicated? An analysis of barriers and co-created solutions from the frontlines

Numerous studies have examined the processes parents use in accessing early care and education (ECE) for their children and the barriers parents face to enroll. To our knowledge, previous studies have not engaged both parents and frontline ECE enrollment staff as co-investigators to examine family perspectives and a systems perspective simultaneously. This qualitative study compiled a research team of diverse (family, provider, academic) perspectives combining principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and human-centered design in peer-led qualitative interviews (n = 20), focus groups (n = 5) with local ECE staff and managers, and several community synthesis and design sessions (n = 6) with caregivers, ECE staff, and local thought leaders in Cincinnati, Ohio. The goals of the study were to: 1) identify policy-relevant and system-level barriers that keep families with low incomes or families of color from enrolling in high-quality ECE programs and 2) co-design potential policy- and system-interventions or prototypes with parents and local ECE agency partners to overcome these barriers. Nine types of barriers in three categories were elucidated by parents and ECE staff: 1) enrollment barriers such as parents’ lack of awareness of options, excessive and redundant paperwork, outdated technologies used, and lack of transparency paired with poor follow-up communication from ECE staff; 2) practical and logistical barriers such as cost, transportation, and concerns about COVID; and 3) human-factors concerns related to safety, trust, and diversity of ECE environment. Peer researchers co-created eight policy- or system- prototypes or interventions to address these barriers. While our findings suggest that access challenges remain ubiquitous locally, they also demonstrate what is possible when researchers and policymakers intentionally involve targeted users of ECE policy in the designs of those policies and systems.

Development of research agenda of a teacher education institution in Central Luzon, Philippines

This collaborative-participatory research aimed to develop the research agenda of the college of teacher education (CTE) of a state university in Zambales, Philippines from 2017 to 2021. The research involved the core research group, faculty researchers, campus and university officials, and stakeholders such as students, alumni, and partner agencies (department of education (DeEd) faculty and administrators). The study was carried out in the first quarter of 2017 to develop the CTE research agenda framework, identify the key research areas, and present to the stakeholders. During the third quarter of 2018, the developed research agenda was revisited and reformulated as the university was converted into a more comprehensive university. A total of six themes were included in the final CTE research agenda framework with corresponding theme descriptions and research topics. The use of participatory-collaborative research effectively develops a college research agenda of the CTE. The processes involved in research agenda setting can serve as a basis for other teacher education institutions (TEIs) in coming up with their respective research agenda geared towards uplifting the quality of teacher education. The study could also serve as a guide for other colleges in formulating and revisiting their research agenda.

Comparative Analysis of the Profitability of Major Value-added Activities Along the Pineapple Value Chain in Ghana

This study aimed to analyze the profitability of sampled pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers in Ghana, which will help to assess how these actors optimize available resources to generate profits and achieve production efficiency. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used with interview schedules as the data collection instruments. The sample size was 320, 66, and 169, pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers respectively. The study found that pineapple production and processing were profitable, but marketing was not. The results showed a significant difference in the profit share of the group actors, highlighting that the profit share of each actor along the pineapple value chain is different. The results also showed that income, capital, and planting materials were the main determinants of farmers' profits. On the other hand, capital, pineapples, and packaging materials were the predictors of processors' profits. While transport, revenue, and loading and unloading costs predicted the marketer's profit. Based on these findings, the study recommended that NGOs and other partner agencies promote the pineapple industry in various ways to reduce poverty by providing credit facilities to actors to increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Unlocking data to inform public health policy and practice: A pilot study on utilising police data for linked population data research

ObjectiveThe UK Government increasingly emphasises a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to tackling crime. This pilot study explores the feasibility of integrating police data with routine health data to develop a holistic understanding of the predictors of domestic abuse (DA). ApproachThe study encompasses three work-packages a) coding the narrative data from Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment (DASH) risk assessment report from Public Protection Notifications (PPNs), which are information-sharing documents recording safeguarding concerns and shared with partner agencies b) exploring to identify what works to harmonise different software systems within police data-sharing approach, c) constructing a case study by linking PPN DASH data with routine health and administrative records. These efforts illustrate the potential of national data-sharing initiatives. Results a) Text mining methods successfully identified and coded (with over 95% accuracy) 17 refereed/involved agencies from the PPN DASH data. b) Barriers to data sharing were attributed to a lack of clarity and consensus regarding appropriate information sharing, rather than technical obstacles. This barrier can be overcome by an unambiguous framework, endorsed at an elevated level, highlighting which data should be shared. c) The data-linkage study revealed that victims of DA had prior interactions with healthcare services before their initial PPN, and younger pregnant victims had higher risk of future healthcare emergency visits. Conclusion and ImplicationPolice and health data integration enhances evidence-based prevention and early identification of vulnerable individuals by both law enforcement and public health services.

Coordinating a growing data enterprise: strategies for facilitating multiple research-practice relationships for the public good.

It takes time, energy, and goodwill to start a data partnership. The corollary to this truism is that maintaining and expanding such partnerships will demand as much, if not more, of these resources. Learn about the strategies we are using to expand our ability to produce rigorous, policy-relevant evidence to combat poverty and inequality while staying committed to addressing the needs of our long-term partners. Developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP), the Wisconsin Administrative Data Core (WADC) evolved from a series of large-scale evaluation projects conducted for the state starting in the 1980s. This data enterprise, built by linking administrative data from multiple agencies, allows for cross-program analyses that are otherwise impossible. Increased turnover since the pandemic coupled with more formalized data governance structures has highlighted the importance of maintaining good relationships and providing value back to partners who devote scarce bandwidth to sharing data. At the same time, we are adding new agency partners and working to increase usage of the WADC. These changes multiply the complexity involved in coordinating the data enterprise. We are adapting to this new world by focusing on relationships: creating formal structures that deepen the network of direct relationships among agency staff and researchers, taking advantage of increased turnover by hiring staff who have worked in state agencies, and seeking agency partners who want to be active partners versus data providers. More solid relationships will yield more policy-relevant research that agencies can use to better serve the state.

The Relationship between Head Teachers’ Authoritarian Leadership Style and Teachers’ Burnout in Secondary Schools in Ibanda Municipality, Ibanda District, Uganda

The study investigated the relationship between head teachers’ authoritarian leadership style and teachers’ burnout in secondary schools in Ibanda Municipality, Ibanda District, Uganda. A correlation study design was employed to determine the relationship between the authoritarian leadership style of head teachers and burnout of teachers. A hybrid approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research methodologies was also employed to handle both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was collected from 217 teachers using a self-administered questionnaire and 15 head teachers using an interview guide. The results show that there is a positive but moderate relationship between authoritarian leadership style and teacher burnout as indicated by the r=0.34. Therefore, a high level of burnout was linked to increase in authoritarian leadership style. The researcher recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports should embrace and intensify refresher courses for head teachers to re-equip them with the best leadership practices that could help them avoid authoritarianism. Such re-equipping can be managed at seminars, workshops, and short courses in conjunction with teacher education institutions such as colleges and universities. This can equip the headteachers with the best leadership practices in the ever-changing dynamics of the education system. Therefore, the ministry and its partner agencies like National Curriculum Development Center and National Council for Higher Education should put in place sound curriculums in leadership skills and styles to ensure that serving head teachers are adequately and effectively trained to lead and manage the schools. It should not be done in a hurry and by use of trainers who are not knowledgeable. This will enable head teachers to avoid disastrous leadership styles such as authoritarianism and employ the best practices for managing burnout of their teachers. Keywords: Leadership Styles; Burnout, Relationship and Head Teachers

Polycentric governance, epistocracy and the limits of policing knowledge in preparing for the climate crisis

ABSTRACT The last two decades have seen an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, placing complex demands on police and emergency services in the UK. Despite the growing recognition of the cascading and multidimensional threats, there is limited understanding of how policing and local governance actors are preparing for the climate crisis. In this paper, we argue that polycentric governance approaches, such as the Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), provide an essential focal point for emergency planning and disaster response activity that is rooted in localised contexts. However, while the LRFs are designed to benefit from the inclusion of a broad range of actors, dominant mentalities, knowledge hierarchies and powerful actors may limit their epistemic potential. We propose that a pathway towards a resilient and adaptive policing agenda for the Anthropocene necessitates acknowledging the limits of policing knowledge, expertise and traditional command-and-control mentalities. We draw on the notion of epistocracy to propose a policy and research agenda for police and partner agencies to harness the epistemic potential of LRFs. By adopting approaches to leverage pluralised forms of knowledge and identifying strategies for co-opting community-based actors in emergency planning and response activities, police and partner agencies can strengthen local capacity-building and better promote local resilience and adaptation efforts.

Focused deterrence, strategic management, and effective gun violence prevention

AbstractResearch SummaryThe evaluation literature suggests that focused deterrence strategies are effective in reducing gun violence. However, focused deterrence is notoriously difficult to implement and sustain. The history of focused deterrence implementation failure raises questions about its viability as a gun violence prevention strategy. Stockton, California, implemented focused deterrence three times during the past 25 years. In its most recent version, Stockton officials explicitly designed the strategy to be a permanent feature of the city's violence prevention portfolio. Although program caseloads diminished over the course of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the strategy faced leadership and resource challenges, Stockton's efforts prevented the program from being discontinued and, for those gang members who did receive treatment, delivered a robust gun violence prevention strategy. A quasi‐experimental evaluation shows that treated gang members were less likely to be shot and reduced their violent offending relative to similar untreated gang members. The focused deterrence impacts also appear to spill over to gang members who were socially connected to treated gang members. Although Stockton experienced an increase in homicides over the course of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the increase was not as steep as other comparable California cities.Policy ImplicationsFocused deterrence strategies can be effective responses to gun violence problems when implemented properly. A priori planning is essential when jurisdictions prepare to adopt focused deterrence. Strategic management actions, such as maintaining a robust network of partnering agencies, developing accountability structures and sustainability plans, and conducting upfront and ongoing problem analysis, are critical elements that must be in place for focused deterrence to be effective and sustainable.

EMS Paramedics and Law Enforcement Officers' Experiences with Joint-Response Efforts on Suspected Opioid Overdose Calls: A Qualitative Study.

In the United States, the opioid crisis remains a nationwide public health emergency. Narcan laws have increased medical collaboration between emergency medical services (EMS) paramedics and law enforcement officers (LEOs), yet research on joint opioid-response efforts with these first responders remains underexplored. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explores EMS paramedics and LEOs' experiences with joint-response efforts on suspected opioid overdose calls amidst the ongoing opioid crisis. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 first responders (n = 8 EMS paramedics; n = 6 LEOs) from a large Central Florida emergency services district covering urban, suburban, and rural areas. Four major themes emerged: (1) facilitators to joint-response efforts; (2) barriers to joint-response efforts; (3) concerns for patient co-occurring behavioral health conditions; and (4) perceived solutions. Overall, participants described mutual respect, reliance, and communication as key facilitators, while barriers included conflicting on-scene priorities and differences in Narcan protocols. Concerns for co-occurring behavioral health (i.e., addiction and mental health) conditions among overdose patients included difficulties in assessing mental health and the availability of wraparound services, yet these concerns remained secondary to medical treatment during an opioid-related emergency. Key solutions included enhanced Narcan training for LEOs and increased availability of behavioral health services for long-term patient care. This research contributes to existing literature on opioid overdose response by specifically examining joint-response efforts between EMS paramedics and LEOs. These findings may be applicable to other partnering agencies such as mental health crisis teams and should be explored across behavioral health collaborations.

Implementation and Reach of Health Coaching Using Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Uninsured Illinois Women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for US women; lack of health insurance contributes to poor control of risk factors and increased mortality. Health coaching including motivational interviewing can support primary and secondary CVD prevention, but among uninsured women, improving health outcomes is dependent on successfully reaching priority populations. We evaluated the implementation and reach of health coaching with motivational interviewing among clients in the Illinois WISEWOMAN Program (IWP), a CVD screening and risk-reduction program for uninsured women aged 40 to 64. Following CVD screening, motivational interviewing is offered to all IWP clients via four 30-min one-on-one health coaching sessions to offer personalized guidance on setting and achieving health behavior goals. Our analysis included clients from the eight community-based Illinois agencies that implemented IWP from 2019 to 2023. We assessed client demographic and baseline health characteristics among all IWP clients, those who participated in health coaching by attending at least one session, and those who completed health coaching by attending at least three of four sessions. We also assessed health coaching participation and completion by agency and examined agency-specific associations between client characteristics and health coaching participation and completion. Among IWP enrollees (n =3094), 89.7% participated in at least one health coaching session but only 31.4% completed health coaching by attending at least three sessions. Over 90% of IWP clients participated in at least one health coaching session at 4 IWP agencies. Further, over 85% of health coaching participants completed health coaching at four agencies. Across agencies, no client-level characteristics were consistently associated with health coaching participation or completion. High motivational interviewing participation rates support its acceptability among uninsured women, but agency-level community-level barriers likely prevent client engagement in multiple sessions. Reducing CVD risk requires working with partner agencies to address barriers to reaching the priority population.

Collaborative vehicle routing for equitable and effective food allocation in nonprofit settings

Purpose Inspired by a food bank distribution operation, this paper aims to study synchronized vehicle routing for equitable and effective food allocation. The primary goal is to improve operational efficiency while ensuring equitable and effective food distribution among the partner agencies. Design/methodology/approach This study introduces a multiobjective Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model aimed at addressing the complex challenge of effectively distributing food, particularly for food banks serving vulnerable populations in low-income urban and rural areas. The optimization approach described in this paper places a significant emphasis on social and economic considerations by fairly allocating food to food bank partner agencies while minimizing routing distance and waste. To assess the performance of the approach, this paper evaluates three distinct models, focusing on key performance measures such as effectiveness, equity and efficiency. The paper conducts a comprehensive numerical analysis using randomly generated data to gain insights into the trade-offs that arise and provide valuable managerial insights for food bank managers. Findings The results of the analysis highlight the models that perform better in terms of equity and effectiveness. Additionally, the results show that restocking the vehicles through the concept of synchronization improves the overall quantity of food allocation to partner agencies, thereby increasing accessibility. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes significantly to the literature on optimization approaches in the field of humanitarian logistics. Practical implications This study provides food bank managers with three different models, each with a multifaceted nature of trade-offs, to better address the complex challenges of food insecurity. Social implications This paper contributes significantly to social responsibility by enhancing the operational efficiency of food banks, ultimately improving their ability to serve communities in need. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to propose and analyze this new variant of vehicle routing problems in nonprofit settings.

Staff perspectives on the successful families program model: Combining supportive housing with wraparound services for teen families

Providing support to address the systemic barriers that teen families face is a logical step toward improving their health and well-being. One area where teen families face multiple obstacles is accessing safe, secure, affordable housing. This paper describes a unique, innovative model of supportive housing developed in combination with wraparound supports, provided to teen parents in Edmonton, Canada. As part of a larger community-based participatory research and evaluation project, we draw on qualitative data to describe the supportive wraparound housing model that was developed. In particular, we conducted individual interviews and focus groups with a total of 27 staff members from the partner agencies, who provided information about the Successful Families program model. Analysis of interview data resulted in five broad categories that have resonated with our community and academic team as a way to conceptualize and share the work of the program. Categories, which are described in terms of associated subcategories, include: Community, Partnership, Program Principles and Values, Successful Families Program Structures, and Skill and Knowledge Development. Through this work, we aim to promote awareness of considerations for service providers seeking to implement similar services, and expand the limited knowledge base regarding methods for supporting the diverse needs of teen families.

Connecting to Resilience, Hope, and Spirituality through a Narrative Therapy and Narrative Medicine Creative Writing Group for People Affected by Cancer

In this article, the authors will describe a creative writing therapeutic group program they developed based on narrative therapy and narrative medicine principles. This was a Social Science and Humanities Research Council—Partnership Engagement Grant funded project, the aim of which was to develop a facilitator’s manual for people interested in offering this group, titled “Journey through Words”. The link to the agency partner’s website, where the manual is available, is provided. The group program is structured over 6 weeks and includes a writing prompt each week, focusing on the storyline of resilience rather than the storyline of diagnosis or disease. Using a narrative inquiry approach, the facilitators kept brief field notes following group meetings. These field notes indicate that although spirituality was not planned as an identified focus of the program, due to the space narrative therapy provides for people to describe their values, preferences, and hopes during hardship, the experience of the group was that members shared reflections which were deeply spiritual in nature.

From legacy to integration in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: looking back to look forward

IntroductionThe Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a global single-disease programme with an extensive infrastructure in some of the world’s most underserved areas. It provides a key example of the...

Patients and Providers Win with a Collaborative Community-Based, Health Education and Wellness Program.

At the downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic, JPS Health Network sought creative ways to ramp up services and reengage patients in care. The network's strategies for population health management, community engagement, and access to care came together in 2022 with the initial development of the JPS Health and Wellness Program. Today, the program supports patients-particularly those most in need-in navigating the continuum of care. Offerings include classes and resources covering behavioral health, heart disease, diabetes, COVID-19, nutrition, and injury prevention. The program also provides referrals to partner agencies to address social determinants of health. Another important aspect of the JPS Health and Wellness Program is its role in workforce development to accommodate these vital new offerings.

Characterizing Food Policy Councils' Network Partnerships and COVID-19 Responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions of Americans into food insecurity. Food policy councils (FPCs) across the country played a vital role in organizing coordinated food responses across multiple sectors. We used a social network analysis (SNA) approach to investigate: (1) the network of partnering organizations and agencies within FPCs; (2) how the characteristics of FPCs' network partnerships (i.e., degree, coreness, and density) related to programmatic, policy, and advocacy actions in response to the pandemic; and (3) how FPCs' use of a racial or social equity framework shifted their network partnerships and responses. Local government agencies and food supply chain actors were core in FPCs' network partnerships, while public utilities, correctional facilities, social justice groups, and others were non-core partners. Network density was more likely to be associated with any action by FPCs, and it was especially pronounced for advocacy actions taken by FPCs; trends were similar among FPCs that reported using a racial or social equity framework. The findings begin to uncover core actors in FPCs' partnerships and opportunities to establish new partnerships, particularly with social justice groups. The results also suggest that network density (interconnectedness) may be more important than other network characteristics when responding to food-related needs.

A Social Network Analysis of a Multi-sector Service System for Intimate Partner Violence in a Large US City

About one in four women in the US report having experienced some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetime and an estimated 15.5 million children live in families in which IPV occurred in the past year. Families of young children with IPV experiences often face complex needs and require well-coordinated efforts among service providers across social and health sectors. One promising partnership aims to support pregnant and parenting IPV survivors through coordination between IPV agencies and community-based maternal and early childhood home visiting programs. This study used social network analysis (SNA) to understand the interconnectedness of the system of IPV prevention and intervention for families with young children in a large US city. The SNA included 43 agencies serving this population across various service domains spanning IPV, legal, maternal and child health, and public benefit programs. An SNA survey collected data on four forms of collaboration between agencies, including formal administrative relationship, referral reciprocity, case consultation, and shared activities in community committees/organizing bodies. Density and centrality were the primary outcomes of interest. A community detection analysis was performed as a secondary analysis. The overall level of interconnectedness between the 43 responding agencies was low. Making referrals to each other was the most common form of collaboration, with a network density of 30%. IPV agencies had the highest average number of connections in the networks. There was a high level of variation in external collaborations among home visiting agencies, with several home visiting agencies having very few connections in the community but one home visiting program endorsing collaborative relationships with upwards of 38 partner agencies in the network. In serving families at risk for IPV, home visiting agencies were most likely to have referral relationships with mental health provider agencies and substance use disorder service agencies. A community detection analysis identified distinct communities within the network and demonstrated that certain agency types were more connected to one another while others were typically siloed within the network. Notably, the IPV and home visiting communities infrequently overlapped. Sensitivity analyses showed that survey participants’ knowledge of their agencies’ external collaborations varied by their work roles and agencies overall had low levels of consensus about their connectedness to one another. We identified a heterogeneous service system available to families of young children at-risk for or experiencing IPV. Overall inter-agency connectedness was low, with many siloed agencies and a lack of shared knowledge of community resources. Understanding current collaborations, silos, and centrality of agencies is an effective public health tool for allocating scarce resources across diverse service sectors to efficiently improve the system serving families experiencing IPV.