The Center for Community-Engaged Research (CCER) is a transformative initiative that fosters collaborative research partnerships between and among the community at large, community organizations, ICTS academic institutions, community-based health providers, and community researchers. Dynamic and productive, the CCER is a platform to establish partnerships between academic and community researchers.
Researchers are encouraged to contact the CCER to learn about how the various practice-based research networks (PBRN) and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) can facilitate the participation of underrepresented populations in their research. After consultation, the CCER will determine whether the research proposal will benefit from a partnership with a PBRN or CAB organization.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
The CAB is comprised of local leaders from a broad range of organizations, who have worked to reduce barriers to research participation by increasing public trust and making research opportunities more accessible. See our current board members.
Practice Based Research Networks (PRBNs)
The Washington University Pediatric & Adolescent Ambulatory Research Consortium (WU PAARC) has developed a formal infrastructure to actively engage community practitioners in clinical and translational research. These community pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners study how best to care for children and adolescents in the community setting, and are committed to using research findings to guide how they care for their patients.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis, in coordination with the ICTS has developed a PBRN for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), led by Deborah Kiel, PhD. The program emphasizes health promotion and illness prevention in providing primary care, and prepares nurse practitioners to manage the health care of target populations—adult, pediatric, family, or women’s health—through course and clinical work.
Our Community, Our Health (OCOH)
Our Community, Our Health is a joint program between Washington University (WU) and Saint Louis University (SLU) to disseminate relevant and culturally appropriate health information, and to actively engage the St. Louis community in partnerships to help address local health disparities
Community Based Recruitment & Retention (HealthStreet)
HealthStreet is the recruitment and retention arm of the CCER. While there are 80,000 health studies in the US, only 1% of the population participates. The elderly, women, persons out of treatment, persons with mental health problems and addiction, and minorities are underrepresented populations (URPs). The goal of this program is to increase participation of URPs in order to make research more representative.
Facilities & Other Resources
Access the standard description of CCER facilities and other resources for grant application purposes.