Beyond QOL: Continuation & Expansion of QOL Projects

1. Beyond QOL: Continuation & Expansion of QOL Projects Angela Yehl, Psy.D. Nova Southeastern University

2. Outline • History & Growth of QOL • QOL Mission & Objectives • Sustained Projects • Enhancing our Commitment to Effect Positive & Lasting Change- Helping the Researcher Achieve Sustainability

3. QOL Beginnings • President Ferrero & NSU mission to improve quality of life in the community • Formed the Quality of Life Council to bring NSU faculty, administrators and students together with community leaders to identify and solve Broward County’s most serious problems • Dr. Kimberly Durham appointed as Chair

4. Identifying the Problem • In the initial phase of the QOL Council, knowledgeable community leaders educated the team on Broward County’s most serious problems which included: Infant Mortality Education Child Abuse and Neglect Obesity Mental Health Elderly Services Health Care Access Juvenile Justice Affordable Housing

5. Putting Ideas into Action • So, now that the problems are clear, what do we do?

6. Partnering Service and Research • President Ferrero announced a $10,000 faculty scholarship for community based applied research which focused on a Broward County priority issue. • $10,000 funding matched by the Children’s Services Council (CSC)

7. First QOL Award Year (2003) 2 Submissions 2 Awards Healthy Kids Project Project W.I.N - Women in Need

8. QOL Today The QOL Council is now represented by 26 members,consisting of NSU and community leaders who share the same mission to serve the community and effect positive and lasting change through community based applied research

9. Community Partners • Children’s Services Council • Dan Marino Foundation • United Way of Broward County • Henderson Mental Health Center • ChildNet • Broward Sheriff’s Office

10. Current Funding Categories Based on community need funds are now awarded in the following 6 categories: • Autism • Children & Families • Criminal Justice • Elderly Services • Foster Care, and • General 

11. QOL Award Year (2009) 14 Submissions 6 Awards Total Funding= $250,000

12. QOL Award Objective • “Seed Money”

13. Expansion and Continuation of Initial QOL Projects • Healthy Kids Project P.I.- James Hibel, Ph.D., This project has resulted in $150,000 of additional grant funding from the state of Florida. • Project W.I.N - Women in Need P.I.- Hui Fang Huang “Angie” Su, Ed.D. Project WIN has been nominated for Governor Jeb Bush’s prestigious Points of Light Award. Dr. Su has been appointed to the State Council on Homelessness.

14. Recent QOL Projects: First Stages of Sustainability • Leaving a Legacy: a unique approach to community engagement with older adults P.I.- Dr. Jacquelyn Brown Project adopted by the City of Coral Springs • Freedom Project Co-P.I.’s- Dr. Lenore Walker & Dr. James Pann Outgrowth of QOL project ”Needs Assessment of the Mentally Ill Involved in Broward County” Contracted with HMHC to provide assessment services to individuals in the criminal justice system

15. Additional Projects Achieving Sustainability • Exploring the Relationship Between Factors of Emotional and General Intelligence and the Success of Foster Care Alumni- P.I. Dr. Tom Kennedy • Aging Out: A Transitional Pathway from Foster Care to College and Beyond- P.I. Dr. Denise Crammer • A Mixed Methods Study on Returning Veterans Experiencing a Holistic Therapeutic Program- P.I. Dr. Elda Kanzki-Veloso • Connections: Families & Schools Supporting Our Youth- Co-P.I.’s Dr. Diana Formoso & Dr. Mercedes ter Maat

16. Achieving Project Sustainability How do we enhance our commitment to effect positive and lasting change through QOL project sustainability?

17. Helping the Researcher • Have a clear long-term plan SUGGESTIONS???