The Bellwether Collaborative
for Health Justice
The
INTERACT
Center
The Research Team.
Background.
MPI:
MPI:
Co - I:
HIV is over-represented in substance using and criminal legal involved populations. The syndemic risks for incarceration and HIV risk and acquisition are strongly correlated as a result of both structural and individual level factors. While effective HIV prevention strategies exist, they are rarely adapted or deployed with people in jails, prisons, during re-entry, or on community supervision. And, when they are, equal collaboration with the community to develop and implement intervention strategies is often missing. Improving meaningful representation of individuals with expertise based on lived experience, can improve the effectiveness, relevance, validity, and acceptability of health research and service delivery systems. ​​
Emily Dauria, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, PhD
Duke University
Sirry Alang, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Co - I:
Sara Baumann, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Co - I:
Jessica Burke, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Co - I:
Linda Frank, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
CRC, SR:
Kate Ehle Plyler, MSW
Duke University
Overview.
The INTERACT Center is a Patient Engagement Resource Center developed under the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, The goal of the center is to improve representation and engagement in research of people with lived expertise, including those with exposure to the criminal legal system, people with a history of substance use, and those living with HIV. By elevating and leveraging the expertise of these populations, the INTERACT Center aims to illuminate key barriers to service access and utilization and identify and test potential solutions that are human-centered, scalable, and replicable.
INTERACT Center Cores.
The INTERACT Center will support six cores, each with a distinct focus:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CORE
The Community Engagement Core will communicate research findings & related concepts to community members.
CAPACITY
ENGAGEMENT
CORE
The Capacity Building Core will develop training plans to be responsive to the INTERACT CAB as well as activities planned as part of regional research hub projects.
ADMINISTRATIVE
CORE
The Administrative Core provides leadership & coordination for the Center, including supporting overall program management & network communication.
RAPID RESPONSE
&
PILOT CORE
The Rapid Response & Pilot Core will cultivate innovative clinical, translation, & community engaged research by supporting new initiatives driven by participatory methods
TRACKING
&
EVALUATION
CORE
The Tracking & Evaluation Core will report on the efficacy & impact of the Interact Center.
DISSEMINATION
CORE
The Dissemination Core will lead the translation of findings & accessible packaging of solutions for diverse audiences (e.g., policy makers, stakeholders, etc.)