Partners conducts research to determine the most effective
ways to support individuals with disabilities and prevent further disabilities.
Examples include research on models of personal assistance and early
intervention services.
Currently funded projects are listed below:
AR CARES
Provides a family centered approach to decrease maternal
substance abuse and promote healthy family outcomes through prevention,
treatment, education, research, and advocacy. Faculty work with programs
associated with AR CARES to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments directed at
substance abusing women with children. Nikki Conners, Ph.D.connersnicolaa@uams.edu
Arkansas Better Chance for
School Success (ABC) This study is funded by the
Arkansas Department of Education to evaluate the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC)
for School Success Program. This five-year longitudinal project will determine
the effect of the ABC preschool program on short-term and subsequent cognitive and social
development. The study involves 24 Arkansas counties, 372
schools and 2,000 students. Yvonne M. Bradshaw, M.A.P.
bradshawyvonnem@uams.edu
Arkansas Disability and
Health Program
The Arkansas Disability and Health Program is one of 14 state projects funded by the National Center on
Birth Defects and Disabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in Atlanta, GA. The goals of this project are to promote good health of
Arkansans with disabilities, to increase access to health care for persons with
disabilities and to identify interventions to reduce or eliminate secondary
conditions. Vanessa Nehus, M.A.
nehusvanessar@uams.edu
Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Monitoring (ADDM) Project This project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control,
will determine the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including
Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not
Otherwise Specified (including Atypical Autism) in children in Arkansas. It will
also work to improve early screening and diagnosis as well as intervention
through education and outreach efforts with health care professionals and
educators. Carole Canino,
B.S., M.T. (A.S.C.P.) caninocaroleu@uams.edu
Cross Cultural
Parenting
The goal of this study is to examine three aspects of parenting across five
American cultural groups. The proposed study involves reanalysis of data
collected as part of the Starting Early, Starting Smart (SESS) longitudinal,
multi-site study. Leanne Whiteside-Mansell, Ed. D.whitesidemansellleanne@uams.edu
Delta Access Program Evaluation This project evaluates the outcomes for a project that
provides access to medical care for uninsured residents of Lincoln and Desha
Counties. David Deere, M.S.W.
deereglend@uams.edu
Early Head Start Research Project
Evaluates how participation in the Early Head Start Program
impacts child life and development during the first three years of life.
Research data is being collected in both Arkansas and Tennessee. Leanne Whiteside-Mansell, Ed. D.whitesidemansellleanne@uams.edu
Expanding Effective Adolescent Substance Abuse
Evaluation
The UAMS/Department of Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent
Division was funded to implement and evaluate a brief intervention for
adolescents who are abusing drugs and alcohol. The intervention includes a
combination of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (2 individual sessions),
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (3 group sessions), and parent education (3 group
sessions). The evaluation of the project is being conducted by Partners'
faculty.
Nikki Conners, Ph.D.
connersnicolaa@uams.edu
Medical Home Evaluation The purpose of this activity is to evaluate the statewide
project to promote adoption of the principles of the medical home model. David Deere, M.S.W.
deereglend@uams.edu
Safe Schools Healthy
Students The Russellville School District is conducting a project to
improve school safety and the health and emotional well-being of students. The
schools will work with local social service and behavioral health agencies to
conduct the various interventions. Partners will perform the program evaluation
for the project. Leanne
Whiteside-Mansell, Ed. D. whitesidemansellleanne@uams.edu
The Family Map: An Integrated Assessment of the
Parenting Environment in Early Childhood The goal of this project is to create a comprehensive, user-friendly measure
to assess important aspects of the family and the home environment. It is
funded by the Administration for Children and Families via the Head Start
University Partnership: Measurement Development for Head Start Children and
Families funding. This project is a collaborative effort with Robert H.
Bradley (University of Arkansas at Little Rock), UAMS Head Start, and Child
Development, Inc. Leanne
Whiteside-Mansell, Ed. D. whitesidemansellleanne@uams.edu
Contact Us Partners for Inclusive Communities
David Deere, M.S.W., M.Th., Director 2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300 ● North Little Rock, AR 72114
501-682-9900 (V) ● 501-682-9902 (TDD) ● 1-800-342-2923 (V/TDD)
501-682-9901 (Fax)
E-mail us at
Partners@uams.edu