February 28, 2018 at 10:49 am

Evans’ Team Gets Grant for Tool to Help School Clinicians Implement Interventions

Dr. Steven Evans

Dr. Steve Evans is the principle investigator on a newly funded project to develop and study the efficacy of a web-based tool to help school clinicians implement evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems.

The a $300,000 grant from Ohio University is one of three new initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research and student and community engagement. Much of the funding comes from the second cycle of the university’s Innovation Strategy program, which fosters interdisciplinary efforts throughout the full spectrum of the university’s activities—including teaching and learning, research and scholarship, creative activity and operational functions.

Evans, Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of the Center for Intervention Research in Schools, leads an interdisciplinary team from the fields of psychology, education, medicine and communications on the project.

The tool, Beacon: System of Student Care Coordination, will provide training, materials and custom intervention plan suggestions for each child, as well as a mechanism to track student responses to the interventions. The project strives to improve long-term outcomes for these youth, who are at a higher risk than peers of dropping out of school, unemployment and substance abuse problems.

In January, the university’s Innovation Strategy program awarded $350,000 total to two projects. In addition, the Office of the President provided $25,000 in funding for a third project that had applied for Innovation Strategy support.

The three projects reflect the university’s Strategic Pathways and Priorities of interdisciplinary research, public service and student engagement.

“I believe that the sustainable future of institutions of higher learning depend, in part, on the sharing of creative ideas,” said Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis. “Cross-departmental collaborations and interdisciplinary research are vital in developing new and innovative ways to solve the world’s problems and will contribute to the success and longevity of Ohio University’s programs.”