Faculty and Staff Grants From November 2022

Congratulations to the following faculty and staff members who received grants and awards in November 2022:

Kim Gorgens, faculty at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology

• Grant from Mental Health Colorado
• Project abstract: This proposal will fund a 24-month pilot project designed to identify and assess defendants with brain injuries (traumatic and acquired; TBI and ABI) ordered to outpatient competency restoration programs, as well as to enhance TBI-informed interventions for those identified defendants. This program is expected to serve the roughly 400 persons ordered to restoration programming who are currently waiting for those services at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo.

Sangho Bok, faculty at the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science

• Grant from the National Science Foundation
• Project abstract: To overcome some of the barriers in sensing methodologies, an integrative approach of combining novel plexcimonic systems and machine learning will be pursued. The integrated systems will lead to the development of sensitive biomedical sensor platforms that outperform traditional systems.

Phillip Strain, faculty at the Morgridge College of Education

• Grant from the University of South Florida (subaward Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services)
• Project abstract: This project will develop the knowledge base on the use of effective practices that support the integration of educational, social and mental health services that will promote inclusion, family engagement, trauma-informed care and culturally and linguistically responsive practices in the equitable promotion of social, emotional and behavioral outcomes for young children.

Galena Rhoades and Scott Stanley, faculty at the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

• Grant from Pennsylvania State University (subaward Department of Defense)
• Project abstract: This project will include design and implementation of the study, including providing support for study protocol development, measures selection, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.

Amy Roberts and Ashley Brock-Baca, staff at the Butler Institute for Families

• Grant from the University of Virginia (subaward Administration for Children and Families)
• Project abstract: The Butler Institute for Families will design the Well-being First all-staff training, leadership training and associated training materials based on existing trauma-informed systems of care training and tailoring to meet the needs of Head Start.

Savannah Hobbs, staff at the Morgridge College of Education

• Grant from the Colorado Department of Human Services
• Project abstract: Housed within the University of Denver, ECHO-DU will draw upon the experts within the Morgridge College of Education in specific content areas to develop a professional development series. Weekly sessions will last 60-90 minutes and include didactic sessions in which an expert (recruited from ECHO-DU's professional networks) presents latest best practices and resources as well as a case study portion in which a participant can present a challenge or success.

Eric Chess, faculty at the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging

• Grant from National Academies
• Project abstract: The first sign of cognitive decline is often found in impaired financial decision-making by those who are unaware. This can occur years before any symptoms are noticeable in patients. The goal of this project is to create validated, practical and accessible assessments to detect increased financial vulnerability and the earliest clinical signs of cognitive impairment.

Kimberly Bender, faculty at the Graduate School of Social Work

• Grant from the City and County of Denver
• Project abstract: This project establishes consultation with DU researchers to develop a broader understanding of PS roles and responsibilities; inform peer support staff development and training needs; and identify strategies for how best to align across agencies for the City and County of Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. The findings of the assessment will be used to identify additional investments that need to be made to ensure more consistent and efficient practices and processes across city agencies.

Courtney Everson and Elysia Clemens, faculty at the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab

• Grant from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood
• Project abstract: The Colorado Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund provides leadership, collaborative support and advising, and makes recommendations regarding child maltreatment prevention planning, implementation, alignment and investments across Colorado, with a statutorily defined focus on primary and secondary prevention. This project will identify gaps in the prevention array; conduct an assessment of family needs as related to child maltreatment; and make recommendations for a multi-year investment strategy.

Ann Wacker and Amy Roberts, staff at the Butler Institute for Families

• Grant from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (subaward Administration for Children and Families)
• Project abstract: The Department of Early Childhood is interested in conducting a follow-up validation study to ensure that Colorado Shines, the quality rating and improvement system for Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs, has the right standards in place to measure quality, which this project will complete. A validation study is important to evaluate the standards and identify opportunities for improvement or change.