Programs

The Building Evaluation Capacity Initiative (BECI) is a tailored program of consultation and training across two years to build program evaluation capacity in Greater Philadelphia agencies. The program has involved more than 39 agencies and includes oversight of the Philadelphia Program Evaluation Learning Collaborative that is comprised of agencies that have completed the program so as to ensure the sustainability of gains made.

Now beginning its 7th year, BECI is made possible through the generous support of its inaugural funder, the Thomas B. Scattergood Foundation, as well as funding from the Barra Foundation, The Philadelphia Foundation, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

BECI began in 2009 with pilot funding to support evaluation capacity building with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. This work led to a successful application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation by a partnership of agencies and funders, including Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Scattergood Foundation, The Consultation Center at Yale, and more than a half dozen Philadelphia agencies and funders, to implement and evaluate the Porch Light Initiative. This early success served as a catalyst for BECI, which has now worked with a variety of organizations in Greater Philadelphia that have varied in size, populations served, and focus, such as behavioral health, education, arts and culture, health and wellness, and human services.

The Culture & Diversity Training Program at the New Haven Police Department (NHPD) is a comprehensive training and consultation program to increase awareness and sensitivity to racial and cultural differences within the NHDP and in NHPD law enforcement. The program includes all levels of the Department, officers and command staff, and is intended to promote a positive workplace environment as well as effective and unbiased policing.

Jacob Kraemer Tebes, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) in the Child Study Center and of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases); Director, Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry; Director, The Consultation Center; Chief Psychologist, Connecticut Mental Health Center; Program Director, NIDA T32 Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Substance Abuse Prevention

Project Theme(s): Vulnerable Populations & Communities; Mental Health & Substance Abuse; Prevention & Health Promotion; Trauma; Community-Engaged Research & Evaluation; Training, Consultation, and Capacity Building; Systems Change; Trauma

Program Overview: My primary project-based program activities including consultation, training, and program development in the context of my research program (see Research Overview) or the provision of consultation and/or training to build capacity of organizations or systems to enhance their effectiveness. This work is usually carried out in partnership with community-based organizations or state and municipal agencies, and usually is conceptualized from a social justice perspective. The work may also provide opportunities for training and mentor of doctoral or postdoctoral fellows.

For nearly three decades, The Consultation Center at Yale has been a statewide leader in offering violence prevention services to adult offenders and victims of domestic violence. The Center focuses on understanding how women’s daily lives are impacted by the traumas they have been through, which can result in PTSD and/or substance abuse. By working collaboratively with The Greater New Haven Domestic Violence Task Force, Center staff aim to tackle these issues as a community. For more information, visit the Family Violence Program.

Community Mental Health and its Impact on Academic and Behavioral Health Outcomes

Alternative education settings serve a diverse population of young adults who present with unique challenges that impact academic, social, and career outcomes. Dr. Gordon’s research in this area examines primary health and mental health risk behaviors contribute to students’ academic performance and educational attainment. Our goal is to use data collected in this study to inform the development of interventions that support the academic and behavioral health needs of youth in alternative education settings.

Consultation to the EVOLVE and EXPLORE Programs

This program provides training and supervision to facilitators that deliver a State-mandated family violence education program for male and female perpetrators of violence.

Family Violence Prevention Fund Consultation

To understand the needs of families who experience violence and are under supervision of the judicial system.

Connecticut Department of Public Health Collaboration

To develop a culturally appropriate model to provide information on how to positively engage males (including teens) in developing healthy relationships.