Effective community-based and community-engaged research requires trust and transparency. This goes beyond traditional outreach to fully involve community members, leaders, and organizations in the development and leadership of the research. Our Partnerships & Engagement Program expands on a foundation of trust built through more than 120 partnerships and collaborations across many studies and projects over the past two decades. These relationships allow researchers to reach beyond the scope of what most individual investigators can accomplish alone.
Services
- Access to community partnerships and coalitions across the Deep South
- Development of links between researchers and the community for the development, conduct, and dissemination of research
- Management of engagement programs for research studies
- Organization and management advisory boards and community coalitions
- Management of community meetings, town halls, and other community events
- Opportunities for students and faculty to engage in service-learning
Current Projects
Community Initiatives
Healthy Happy Kids
Healthy Happy Kids addresses childhood obesity, a serious concern in Alabama and the nation. According to America's Health Rankings, 31.1% of children in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese, putting them at risk for long-term health challenges. In Alabama, this number increases to 35.5%, one of the highest in the nation.
To help address this issue, our Partnership & Engagement program implements Healthy Happy Kids—an engaging, hands-on initiative that teaches children the value of nutritious eating and staying active. Over the course of eight weeks, children in after-school programs participate in fun, interactive lessons that promote healthy habits. Wearing colorful aprons and chef hats, they learn to prepare simple, wholesome snacks and enjoy physical activities like volleyball, jump rope, and frisbee.
Walk!
Walk! Feel Alive is a flexible walking initiative designed to inspire individuals, groups, and entire communities to get moving—one step at a time. Whether you're walking solo, with friends, or as part of a larger organization, this program makes it easy to incorporate more movement into your daily routine. Participants can track their steps, set personal or team goals, and join seasonal walking challenges that promote fun, accountability, and a sense of community. With resources and support from the Healthy Living Center team, Walk Feel Alive helps turn simple steps into lasting habits for a more active lifestyle.
Request Services
If you're interested in incorporating our Partnerships & Engagement team in your study, contact us today.