Behavioral Science Research Institute

Earlier this month, Jack Vertovec and Camillia R. Comeaux, DrPH, MSPH attended the American Psychological Association's Annual Convention in Seattle. The trip focused on ways to explore how the fields of clinical and community psychology pair with community advocacy for maximum impact. Drs. Comeaux and Vertovec led a workshop titled, “Community Voice and Collaboration: Using Evaluation Methods to Develop a Clinical Training Workshop,” which explored ways to use evaluation methodologies to build meaningful community collaborations and amplify community-led interventions and impact. They cited our work with Florida International University's Black Mother’s Care Plan (BMCP), where we transformed data into actionable items to improve educational training workshops into community-driven, sustainable solutions. We’re proud of our team for representing BSRI in #Seattle and building connections with our partners! Read more about BMCP here: https://bit.ly/4dLDrIK

We’re happy to highlight this month’s featured team member, Alexandra Rivas, our Director of Data and Analytics! Alexandra has been with BSRI since 2016, and she currently leads the data department, utilizing her expertise in quantitative research. Our favorite thing about Alexandra? 🤩 She’s passionate about keeping BSRI’s team, services, and products at the cutting edge of the data world. Whether implementing innovative tools that improve data visualization, streamline internal processes, and maximize data integrity, or keeping our team and clients on the pulse of data best practices through mentorship and training. Alexandra ensures our clients and team are benefiting from the best data methods, analysis, and data products so that they can make informed decisions that will positively impact their organization and mission. Alexandra received her MPH with a concentration in epidemiology at George Mason University. She has a passion for giving back to her community and children’s mental health causes, which she does by serving as a volunteer for Guardian ad Litem and leading data work with various clients such as LOTUS HOUSE WOMEN'S SHELTER, advocating for the best interest of children. #BSRI #DataForAction #workculture

Earlier this month, our CEO, Angela Mooss, PhD, participated in #TheJustEconomy podcast, hosted by Cornell Crews Jr of the Community Reinvestment Alliance of Florida to discuss the role data plays in supporting BSRI’s community of clients and partners. “We support organizations to build data infrastructure…so people can figure out how to use that information. Where we really thrive is when we have that communication with our clients and partners to contextualize that data, taking our recommendations based on that data to take action.” 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dhcPBk8W #BSRI #DataForAction #PeopleLeader

*sighhhhh of ultimate relaxation* Yesterday our team found moments of calm serenity as the office celebrated National Relaxation Day. We took a sensory approach to designing the ultimate wellness experience, offering everyone their own way to slow down! Next time you’re looking for a moment of relaxation, why not try some of our favorites? 👂 Listen: Listen to relaxing music. 👃 Smell: Seek calming aromas like lavender or eucalyptus. 👄 Taste: Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods that help you feel better and calm your body. ✋ Touch: Find moments to massage your arms and hands to relieve tension. 👀 See: When life is overstimulating, look for calm within by closing your eyes and reducing the visual noise around you. What’s your favorite relaxation technique to do at the office? ⬇️ #BSRI #TeamBuilding #WorkCulture #NationalRelaxationDay

United Way of Broward County programs and services fight for the health, education, and financial prosperity of all community members. The organization works to address the most complex, critical challenges affecting Broward County and create long-lasting positive change. BSRI recently supported United Way by implementing a mixed-methods approach to evaluation (including survey development, analysis, facilitated community sessions, and reporting) of the Broward Suicide Prevention Coalition, supported by them and other key organizations in Broward County. The evaluation was designed to create feedback loops for coalition members and other key stakeholders for optimal decision-making. The evaluation also provided recommendations for process improvement and leveraging coalition infrastructure to inform community-driven strategies. BSRI continues to provide insights and expertise as a member of the data workgroup within the Coalition. For more on United Way Broward County, visit: https://lnkd.in/gnd2FmG #BSRI #DataForAction #Prevention #BehavioralHealth

👉BSRI Client Sector: Community Building & Coalitions BSRI’s diverse services for this sector include multi-tiered assessment of coalition bodies, evaluation recommendations towards making systems more community-responsive, and support on engaging diverse voices. Our team’s knowledge of systems frameworks such as Collective Impact, as well as innovative, community-driven data collection and facilitation methods, enables us to best support our clients in creating sustainable evaluation processes that strengthen their coalitions. Clients that we have supported in these efforts include those such as the University of Miami, South Dade One Voice Community Coalition, and Broward Suicide Prevention Coalition. See who else we’ve worked with! Visit: https://lnkd.in/efRF-znu #BSRI #dataforaction #communitybuilding

Gaitree Seepersaud, aka Gigi, has been an intern with BSRI since May of 2023. Her efforts have supported our team across different projects, including Black Mother’s Care Plan with FIU, in assisting with focus groups and rapid qualitative analysis, creating data visualizations, and working with data in different capacities. “While observing the Black Mother’s Care Plan provider community workshops, I was reminded of the importance of building a supportive network and encouraging open dialogue among black/brown minority birthing persons. This can make a significant difference in addressing barriers and promoting education with the Miami-Dade and Broward communities. Through my collaborations with Black Mother’s Care Plan projects, I hope to build on the skills I have acquired with BSRI in order to contribute to initiatives that prioritize equity and quality among maternal and child health.” Sounds like work that’s interesting for your degree? BSRI is now accepting applications for interns, including from Masters and Ph.D. level students from competitive universities, nationwide! In-person, remote, and hybrid opportunities are available. Would you like to learn more? Apply here: https://bit.ly/3T0YfTS #BSRI #internships

Just two more days until our presentation at #APA2024! Join us for our session on Friday at 8 a.m. on “Community Voice and Collaboration: Using Evaluation Methods to Develop a Clinical Training Workshop” Drs. Camillia Comeaux and Jack Vertovec will lead a session on key evaluation activities essential for developing an educational intervention that translates academic research to community impact to create behavioral change. The session will draw from the Black Mother’s Care Plan initiative as the primary programmatic scenario for engaging community and academic partners, transforming ideas into actionable interventions, and the usefulness of different evaluation methodologies to improve educational training workshops that are community-driven and have sustainable solutions. Will we see you there? 👀 🗓️Friday, Aug. 9 ⏰8 a.m. 📍Seattle Convention Center - Arch at 705 Pike, Level 6, 603 Register 👉 https://lnkd.in/giVKhGS #BSRI #behavioralhealth #communityvoice #DataForAction #APA2024

New to following us? Allow us to reintroduce ourselves. 👋 At BSRI, we enable informed and effective decision-making for our partners. This is achieved through tools, resources, and converting data into action to amplify our partners’ effectiveness. We want to help our clients cultivate change and achieve long-term impact for the communities they support. We see the change a thriving social sector can achieve. And we aim to translate this vision into reality. #BSRI #DataForAction #dataanalysis #evaluation

Congratulations to Dr. Camillia Comeaux, DrPh! 🎓 Camillia, BSRI Senior Research Associate, graduates today from Florida A&M University with a Doctorate of Public Health, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education. Join us in congratulating her on this big accomplishment! #BSRI #publichealth #behavioralscience #teamsupport