Community Engagement Initiative: Academia Partnering with the Health Department and Community Agencies for Change

Authors

  • Martha Coulter University of South Florida College of Public Health
  • Karen D. Liller University of South Florida College of Public Health
  • Chukwudi Ejiofor University of South Florida College of Public Health
  • Casey McBride University of South Florida College of Public Health
  • John Roth Champions for Children
  • Amy Haile Champions for Children
  • Lilia Cruz Champions for Children

Abstract

The Community Engagement Initiative developed at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health illustrates the importance of developing partnerships between academia, health departments and community agencies to build capacity and expand the cadre of researchers equipped with skills in community organization, community participation, constituency development, capacity building, community empowerment, and coalition building.  A case study of the organization Champions for Children is provided to demonstrate how the initiative functioned in a real world environment.

Author Biographies

Martha Coulter, University of South Florida College of Public Health

Martha L. Coulter, MSW, DrPH is a professor in the University of South Florida College of Public Health in Tampa, Florida where she coordinates the Maternal and Child Health Concentration.  Dr. Coulter also directs the Harrell Center for the Study of Family Violence.  Her research interests focus on Family Violence and Maternal and Child Health and she served as the PI of the CEI.  

Karen D. Liller, University of South Florida College of Public Health

Karen D. Liller, PhD and AAAS Fellow, is a professor in the University of South Florida College of Public Health in Tampa, Florida.  Her research focus is the prevention of unintentional injuries in children and adolescents.  She served as a faculty advisor on the Champions for Children Project.  

Chukwudi Ejiofor, University of South Florida College of Public Health

Chukwudi Ejiofor, MD, MPH, CPH, Chukwudi Ejiofor, MD, MPH, CPH, is a program coordinator at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health in Tampa Florida. He currently coordinates the USF’s Center of Excellence in MCH Education, Practice, and Science. He served as the coordinator of the CEI. 

Casey McBride, University of South Florida College of Public Health

Casey McBride, BS is a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate student in the University of South Florida, College of Public Health in Tampa Florida. He is persuing a MPH in epidemiology. He was a graduate assistant with Champions for Children during the CEI.

 

John Roth, Champions for Children

John R. Roth, MSW is a master trainer and Coordinator of Boot Camp for New Dads at the non-profit agency, Champions for Children in Tampa, Florida.  He was the primary facilitator of the Boot Camp curriculum on the Champions for Children Project.  

Amy Haile, Champions for Children

Amy Haile, MA is Associate Director of Champions for Children where she supervises all Champions programs. She has successfully worked for more than 25 years in nonprofit or grant-making organizations.  She holds an advanced behavioral science degree, Project Management Professional certifications, and a graduate certificate from The Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa in Non-Profit Management and Innovation.

Lilia Cruz, Champions for Children

Lilia Cruz is the Prenatal Educator and Lactation Counselor at the abcProgram (A Better Childbirth) at Champions for Children. With over 14 years of experience supporting women in having positive pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding experiences, Lilia holds certifications in the Bradley Method Natural Childbirth, Lactation Counseling from the Center for Breastfeeding,  and Birth Doula through DONA (Doula Association of North America).  Lilia is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and has served as an instructor for many organizations, including Catholic Charities, Life Care, and Babies R Us.

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Published

01/05/2017

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 4 (2016)

Section

Insights, Case Studies, and Applications

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