Learning Community Cohort Development and Technical Consultancy
Title of Project: Learning Community Cohort Development and Technical Consultancy
Project Period: June 2025 to May 2028
Localities: Nationwide
Funding Source(s): Resource & eMpowerment Technical Assistance Center for Behavioral Health (RMTAC) with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Principal Investigator (PI): Cecily Peeples Rodriguez, Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation, VTIPG
Co-Investigators: Andrea Briceno Mosquera, Research Scientist, VTIPG; Mary Beth Dunkenberger, Deputy Director, VTIPG; Lara Nagle, Community-based Research Manager, VTIPG
Key Community Partners: Southwest Key
Description of Project:
RMTAC’s purpose is to grow and support the capacity of behavioral health professionals and organizations that serve refugees and migrant people across the United States. VTIPG faculty with expertise in the fields of behavioral health, refugee/migrant health and health equity, and adult learning theory will assist RMTAC with the planning and implementation of virtual learning communities, online learning modules, and other training and technical assistance to behavioral health and other healthcare providers as well as organizations serving refugee and migrant populations. In this three year partnership, IPG will develop an online learning community designed to explore the following themes.
- Year One Theme: Enhancing language access services in refugee and migrant serving organizations.
- Year Two Theme: Creative community engagement strategies for migrant and refugees in behavioral health settings.
- Year Three Theme: Planning and evaluation processes that support better outcomes when serving migrant and refugee communities with behavioral health services.
IPG will contribute to RMTAC’s repository of tools, guidelines, and best practices to assist service providers in their ability to empower refugees and migrants.