CCBRN: Projects

Community-Based Research Projects

2008. Community Partner: Colorado Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Gary Lichtenstein (Adjunct Professor), Shelley Simon (MA student, Graduate School of International Studies), and Anab Kieree (Research Assistant and Member Colorado African Organization) conducted an external evaluation of the Colorado African Organization, using observation and interview methods to assess the organization’s capacity for self-governance and program delivery. The evaluation was funded through a federal grant to the Colorado Office of Refugee Resettlement.

2008. Community Partner: Highline Academy
A research team comprising Courtenay McCarthy, Sarah Kohn, and Patrick Callahan (PhD students, Child and Family and School Psychology) in Dr. Cynthia Hazel’s class, CFSP 4363 Program Development & Evaluation (Winter 2008) responded to the Highline Academy’s administration’s concern that student engagement at the behavioral level (e.g., joining clubs, teams, committees, etc.) was high for a select portion of middle schoolers, but very low for others. The research team asked teachers to name students who fit their description of unengaged, and subsequently asked parental consent to facilitate a focus group with these students. The focus group consisted of 5 girls and provided insight into many reasons for their low engagement with school activities, such as a lack of awareness of new clubs and committees, perceived unfairness regarding selection of who gets to participate, and classroom factors that contributed to sense of helplessness and lack of communication between club organizers and disengaged students. The project’s findings, based on the focus group input, were presented to students, faculty and parents during a poster session held at the school.

2008. Community Partner: Highline Academy
Gabriel Hottinger (MA student, Quantitative Research Methods), as part of a project in Dr. Cynthia Hazel’s class, CFSP 4363 Program Development & Evaluation (Winter 2008) used the ClassMaps survey to assess the level of the six resilient classrooms characteristics (academic efficacy, behavioral self-control, academic self-determination, teacher-student relationships, peer relationships, and home-school relationships – Doll, Zucker, & Brehm, 2004) among 7th graders at Highline Academy. Gabriel generated 6 graphs (one for each of the six resilient classroom characteristics) for each different subject that the 7th grade teachers taught. The possible benefits of this project would be to increase one or more of the resilient classroom characteristics in the different 7th grade classes and thereby create more effective learning environments and increase students’ academic engagement. The total products of the project were over 120 different bar graphs and an evaluation report and executive summary.

2007. Community Partner: Colorado Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Gary Lichtenstein (Adjunct Professor) and Shelley Simon (MA student, Graduate School of International Studies) conducted an external evaluation of the Colorado African Organization, using observation and interview methods to identify strengths and challenges of the organization as it transitioned to self-governance. The evaluation was funded through a federal grant to the Colorado Office of Refugee Resettlement.

2007. Community Partner: Integrated Nutrition Education Program, Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Hilary Burg (PhD student, Curriculum and Instruction) conducted interviews with Denver Public Schools teachers who participated in the Integrated Nutrition Education Program and compiled a summary report on the program’s modified delivery system and effectiveness.

2007. Community Partner: Asian-Pacific Development Center (APDC).
Laura Ramzy (MA student, Counseling Psychology) as part of a project in Dr. Nick Cutforth’s class CUI 4037 Community-Based Research in Urban Settings, collaborated with the APDC Director of Youth Programs to examine the effectiveness of the Asian-Pacific Youth Mentorship Program (AYMP), an at-risk youth prevention program tailored to Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Laura conducted a focus group with youths involved in the program, and disseminated the findings in a project summary report and a short presentation to the AYMP staff and mentors.

2006 - present. Community Partner Integrated Nutrition Program, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Caitlin Lindquist (PhD student, Curriculum and Instruction) is assisting the Integrated Nutrition Education Program by revising and writing elementary curriculum used in public schools across Colorado. The current focus is on kindergarten and first grade curriculum. Caitlin is creating new lessons, revising or removing obsolete or less-effective lessons, and field-testing new lessons with teachers in schools.

2006 - present. Community Partner: School Environment Project, Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Nick Cutforth (Education faculty) is part of a research team working with elementary schools in the San Luis Valley to evaluate the effectiveness of Intervention Mapping as a Community-Based Participatory Research tool.

2006 – present. Community Partner: What’s Working Project, Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Nick Cutforth (Education faculty) is part of a research team that is studying the initial impact of the federally mandated Local Wellness Policy by documenting trends in school-level environment and policy features related to healthy eating and physical activity among elementary school students in low income, rural and urban regions of Colorado.

2006. Community Partner: Colorado Refugee Services Program Colorado Department of Human Services.
Shelly Siman (MA student, Graduate School of International Studies), Gary Lichtenstein (Adjunct Professor), and Nick Cutforth (Education faculty) evaluated the The Ethnic Community Self-Help Grant.

2005-06 Community Partner: Horace Mann Middle School
Amy Engleman (Ph.D. student, Child and Family Studies) and Cynthia Hazel (Assistant Professor, Child, Family, and School Psychology) are working with Horace Mann Middle School students to develop stategies for enhancing parent engagement.

2005 Community Partner: Making Connections, Denver
Sylvia Hall-Ellis (Assistant Professor, Library Information Science) and Yvonne Sandoval (Community Organizer, Metro Organizations for People) conducted a study into the provision of library services for Latinos/Hispanics in Denver.

2004-05 Community Partner: El Centro Humanitario
Morgan Earp (Ph.D. student, College of Education) worked with Centro Humanitario, a day laborer drop in center in Denver’s Curtis Park Neighborhood, to develop a grant data base, a City Counsil report, and a new website.

2004 Community Partner: Mapleton Public Schools, Colorado
Nick Cutforth conducted a qualitative study into the Mapleton School District's transition into small high schools.

2003-05 Community Partner: Making Connections, Denver
A team of researchers comprising community residents, a Regis undergraduate student, and DU students and professors, evaluated the Anne E. Casey Foundation's national initiative, Making Connections-Denver.

2003 Community Partner: El Centro Humanitario
Chris Austin and Tanja Hintershoisser (Ph.D. students, College of Education) taught a series of writing workshops focusing on day laborers’ biographies at Centro Humanitario, a day laborer drop in center in Denver’s Curtis Park Neighborhood.

2002-3 Community Partner: Public Education Business Coalition (PEBC)
Barri Tinkler (Ph.D. student, Curriculum and Instruction) assisted PEBC with its data gathering tasks in connection with the NorthEast Denver Collaborative.

2002-3 Community Partner: ACCESS, Aurora Public Schools
Amy Engelman, Annete Nunez, Cassie Andres-Trousas (Ph.D. students, College of Education) and Frank Coyne (master’s student) developed a survey instrument that measures the attitudes of the students regarding their after-school programs, as well as the impact on students’ academic performance, attendance, and suspension rates.

2002-3 Community Partner: University of Pennsylvania/Corporation for National Service
Nick Cutforth (Education faculty) conducted a study of the evolution, development, and sustainability of 18 higher education/school/community partnerships (CHESP).

2002-3 Community Partner: Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC)
Deborah Moulton (Ph.D. student, College of Education) and Jan Marie Belle (Executive Director SWIC) developed a survey measuring the needs and challenges of the Westwood community and residents’ awareness of SWIC programs. Jim Nguyen, (Ph.D. student, Counseling Psychology) assisted with the Vietnamese/English translation).
This survey was mailed to Westwood’s 5500 residents in December 2002. In the winter quarter class, CBR in Urban Settings, graduate students Laura Meyer, Li Ju Lang, and Christine Gammage entered and analyzed the data.

2002 Community Partner: Piton Foundation
Students in Gary Lichtenstein’s (Education adjunct faculty) Data Analysis and Interpretation class analyzed data from the Cole Neighborhood Crime Study (Piton Foundation). Community leaders from this neighborhood developed the survey as a means of assessing participants’ understanding of issues related to police interactions, crime, and quality of life. The Piton Foundation entered data from approximately 260 surveys into Excel and SPSS programs; the data were then analyzed over a two week period by graduate students Amy Engelman, Wanda Figuerosa-Rosario, Karen Middleton, and Barri Tinkler.

2002 Community Partner: Piton Foundation
Chris Nelson (Ph.D. student, Quantitative Research Methods) developed a mixed methods evaluation instrument to evaluate Project FAST, a literacy program developed by Linda Wirst, a Baker Neighborhood resident and teacher at Lincoln High School (Piton Foundation). Areas addressed included student, teacher, and tutor perception of the program and student learning gains.

2002 Community Partners: Assets for Colorado Youth/Denver Public Schools
Nick Cutforth and Gary Lichtenstein (Education faculty) and Barri Tinkler and Leah Stuck (Ph.D. students, College of Education) evaluated the Expect Success Project — a parent engagement program implemented by Assets for Colorado Youth in 5 Denver public schools. The evaluation findings can be found at the Assets for Colorado Youth web site.

2002 Community Partners: Harmony Project/Remington School/Langberg Foundation
Cassie Andres-Trousas (Ph.D. student, Curriculum and Instruction) conducted an evaluation of the arts-based curriculum at Remington Elementary School in Denver.

2002 Community Partner: Assets for Colorado Youth
Barri Tinkler (Ph.D. student, Curriculum and Instruction) wrote a literature review on effective practices supporting parent engagement of Latino/Hispanic Parents in K12 Education. The review can be found at the Assets for Colorado Youth web site.

2001-2 Community Partner: Daniels Fund
Nick Cutforth and Gary Lichtenstein (DU faculty) conducted an evaluation of the Daniels Fund College Prep and Scholarship Program. Barri Tinkler (Ph.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction) assisted with interview transcription and theme development.

2001 Community Partner: Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC)
Deborah Moulton (Ph.D. student, College of Education) made contacts, conducted interviews, and collected data for the Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC) in order to update maps and studies regarding southwest Denver. Ms. Moulton researched information from the 2000 Census data, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and Denver Public Schools. The study combined comparisons of previous data with updated 2000 data to determine trends, examine gentrification, and create policy initiatives. The study provided insights into the effects of a decline in the affordable housing stock and will make a difference in creating more affordable housing opportunities for low-income home buyers.

2001 Community Partner: Rainbow Alley
Jennifer Geinger and Pat Madden (Ph.D. students, College of Education) worked with Julie Voyles, Director of Rainbow Alley (RA). RA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide adult and peer counseling, social activities, and free medical support in a safe and nurturing environment to Denver's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth (GLBT). Some of RA's clients are homeless, many have not yet "come out," but all are looking for camaraderie during this transitional period of their lives. The student researchers determined where GLBT youth spend their free time, their desire for a drop-in center, and other special needs. They observed youth activities, interviewed RA's youth and peer counselors, and provided Rainbow Alley with numerous answers and suggestions.

2001 Community Partner: La Clinica Tepeyac-- Reach and Teach Program
Graduate students Toby Schaeffer, Wanda Figueroa-Rosario and Anibal Canales collaborated with La Clinica Tepeyac, a non-profit organization that provides health care services to low-income families and to individuals with no health insurance. The researchers evaluated the Reach and Teach Program, one of the La Clinica’s outreach programs. The Reach and Teach Program provides education, promotes prevention of illness and provides screenings, especially to women, on breast cancer, diabetes, HIV, and other health issues. The researcher used surveys, interviews, and observations of training sessions with health promoters to provide suggestions of ways to improve the Reach and Teach Program. They also helped evaluate the usefulness of La Clinica’s current education materials.

2001 Community Partner: African Services Committee
Melissa Thornhill (MA student, Graduate School of International Studies) worked with the African Services Committee based in Harlem, New York to analyze the results of a need assessment survey of various African non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The results of the survey were compiled into a report and sent to potential funders. Ms. Thornhill’s work assisted the organization with its efforts to fund a weeklong training session and on-line technical and logistical support to selected African NGOs who lack access to leadership and management training.

2001 Community Partner: Earth Force
Barri Tinkler (Ph.D. student, Curriculum and Instruction) worked with Earth Force, a nationwide youth program that encourages environmental awareness and civic participation among youth. Part of the Earth Force curriculum involves students in assessing and reflecting on their community projects. Ms. Tinkler examined the Earth Force Community Action and Problem Solving (CAPS) program and identified several ways in which reflection activities can be incorporated more effectively into the program.

2000-1 Community Partner: Colorado Campus Compact
Alaina Haub (Ph.D. student, Counseling Psychology) collaborated with Theresa Cusimano (Executive Director, Colorado Campus Compact) to survey all of the tutoring programs within the greater Denver area. The project assessed the current state of tutoring programs, identified locations and children that are not being served, researched quality tutoring standards, and ultimately determined how higher education institutions can be of greater service in the area of tutoring.

2001 Community Partner: La Clinica Tepeyac
Lacey Sanchez (MA student in Counseling Psychology) was part of a research
team that investigated the effects of ritalin on high school students in Northwest Denver.

2000 Community Partner: Piton Foundation/Beacon Neighborhood Centers
Beacon neighborhood centers are extended-service schools, which open before the start of the traditional academic day and offer a range of enriching activities in the afternoon through evening hours, as well as on weekends and over the summer. There are three Beacon sites in Denver: Cole Beacon Neighborhood Center, Lake Middle School, and Richel Beacon Neighborhood Center. The purpose of the research project was to evaluate young people’s attitudes about their neighborhood centers and to receive their suggestions for improvement. DU students enrolled in EDUC 4053, Community Based Research in Urban Settings, trained high school students to conduct surveys and interviews of students at the sites.

1999 Community Partner: La Clinica Tepeyac
Theresa Salazar (Psy.D. student, Professional Psychology) and Suki Montgomery (Ph.D. student, Counseling Psychology) worked with La Clinica Tepeyac in Northwest Denver to perform an assessment surrounding the following areas: primary health needs of the clinic, solutions to meet these needs, and specialized health psychology and mental health services to add to existing services. The results of the needs assessment revealed that La Clinica’s client population is most in need of mental health services targeting family problems (domestic violence, parenting skills), stress related concerns, depression management, and legal involvement services (citizenship, labor rights). The results also indicated that the Latino population served by La Clinica Tepeyac are experiencing moderate to severe mental health issues, legal problems due to their undocumented status, poverty and patterns of domestic violence. The report suggested ways for delivery of services for these problems, including future involvement by the University of Denver.

1999 Community Partner: Horace Mann Neighborhood Center
The Horace Mann Neighborhood Center offers English and computer skills workshops for adults, as well as tutoring and recreational programs for children. Brooke Fitchett, (MA student, Curriculum and Instruction) worked on a community research project with local leaders to develop strategies for improving and expanding the Center’s programs.

2002 Doug Smith, Professor DU Law School
The CBR Project awarded Doug Smith $1500 to assist the DU Law Clinic in its advocacy work with Centro Humanitario, a day labor facility in Denver’s Curtis Park Neighborhood. The project is in its early stages but the hope is that the study’s findings will inform local and national policy debates around day-laborers’ rights.

2002 Dr. Tracy Ehlers, Professor DU Anthropology Department
The CBR Project awarded Dr. Ehlers $1500 to assist her with data collection expenses in connection with her study of male/female relations in the inner city.