Health & Well-Being
Sidebar
In the area of Health and Well-Being, the Center conducts research and evaluation that addresses social, environmental, and structural factors influencing health outcomes. Projects focus on prevention, access to care, health equity, and community-based initiatives across public health, behavioral health, and social services. This work supports data-informed decision-making and program improvement aimed at advancing individual and community well-being.
Health & Well-Being Projects
Preparing future social workers, and individuals interested in the profession, for meaningful, informed engagement with the field
Kent Summer Bridge Program (KSBP) is a program that focuses on integrated education addressing the academic and socioemotional needs of students using evidence-based practices/programs and provides exposure to both research and practice in social work through mentoring and shadowing experiences. Students completed evidence‑based trainings, received mentoring from faculty, staff, and peers, gain exposure to research and community practice through shadowing, and built connections with their on‑campus cohort. The KSBP was a collaborative partnership between the Kent School’s BSW program and the Center for Family and Community Well‑Being, combining faculty, courses, and community connections with CFCWB’s expertise in research, mentoring, and evidence‑based programming.
Improving care outcomes and reducing health disparities by creating an infrastructure with community partners
The CEOc represents the 13 largest healthcare organizations founded or headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Council board leadership is represented by CEOs of companies across the entire continuum of care including providers, payers, and education partners with presence locally, statewide, and nationally. CEOc looks for ways to improve care outcomes and reduce health disparities. CFCWB partnered to conduct a rigorous, utilization‑focused evaluation to guide these efforts and support continuous quality improvement across both the innovation initiatives and broader systems change work.
Improving the health and well-being of students and families through evaluation of a technology platform connecting them to community resources
Metro United Way (MUW) and Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) partnered with Area Community Ministries to pilot the use of the United Community data platform (Unite Us) within seventeen JCPS schools. The Project goal was to help school counselors and Family Resource Youth Service Centers more easily connect students and families experiencing financial crisis with funded community support to ensure their basic needs (such as rent, utility, and food assistance) are met. CFCWB partnered to develop and implement an evaluation plan, analyze survey,s conduct focus groups, and present findings.
Evaluating engagement, collaboration, capacity building, outreach, productivity, and community needs
The CFCWB partnered with the Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences to track and evaluate overall outcomes of engagement, collaboration, capacity building, outreach, productivity, and community involvement with a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, standardized scales, archival data) with qualitative methods (e.g., behavioral observation, content analysis). Tracking and evaluation results are used as part of a continuous quality improvement process to enhance programming and better serve the community. As community needs were identified, the CFCWB aided in development and implementation of participatory action research, observation and data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Using a community‑engaged, participatory research approach to address environmental health concerns and health disparities among newcomer populations in the Louisville area
There were two stages of the P30 pilot. Stage one included the CFCWB research team conducting a needs assessment through focus groups and surveys with community members and service providers to identify key environmental and health priorities. Stage two included using assessment findings to inform the development of targeted community education workshops and provider trainings focused on health literacy, resources, and support.
Examining challenges among newcomer populations in the Louisville area
CFCWB analyzed survey data to identify challenges among newcomers in Louisville. This project expanded into a larger community needs assessment under the P30 Pilot project.