FAYETTE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE COUNCIL, INC.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS SPRING 2014 General Information Mission Statement The Research Institute of the Fayette County Human Service Council maximizes the resources of universities and communities while enhancing the social conditions of those who live and work in Fayette County. Vision The Research Institute is a collaborative entity within the Fayette County Human Service Council (HSC) which will create a county invested in the recursive evaluation of its strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of Fayette County. Process The Research Institute is looking for proposals from local agencies/organizations who are interested in a short term (one semester) research project to be conducted by local university research methods students at a local university. Research projects can include evaluation of program outcomes or exploratory research on an underserved population in Fayette County. Our university partner for the Research Institute this Fall is the Social Work Department at California University of Pennsylvania (CalU). Because all Fall research projects at CalU must be reviewed by their IRB (Institutional Review Board) before the end of the Spring semester. Proposals must be submitted earlier this review cycle than in the past. Therefore, we have simplified the process and are requesting a letter of intent in lieu of a formal proposal. Interested agencies/organizations are asked to submit a letter of intent to the Research Institute, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014 to be evaluated by the HSC Research Institutes Review Team. The proposal will be reviewed by the HSC Research Institute Review Committee, which is comprised of active members of the HSC Research and Development Committee. Applicants who submit a letter of intent may be invited to attend the meeting of the HSC Research and Development Committee meeting, January 21, 2014, 8:30 A.M. in Fayette County Community Action Agency Family Service Center Conference Room to discuss their proposal, and strategies for conducting the proposed research project. Preparation and Submission Letters of intent are reviewed to identify projects having the greatest potential for fulfilling the Mission and Vision of the HSC Research Institute, and to assure that the project is within the scope of the university classs capabilities and time limitations. Letters of interest should consist of the following:

A brief description of the nature of the research project and requested activities Target population to be addressed The estimated amount of time required to complete the project What resources are needed to complete the project

Previous projects of the Research Institute have included the following: Conduct long term care consumer satisfaction survey for the S.W. PA Area Agency on Aging Evaluation of Media Smart (program to teach students about the effects of advertising on nutritional choices) for Steps to a Healthier Fayette Impact Research examining school initiatives to address unhealthy BMIs for Steps to a Healthier Fayette Exploratory research on the needs of veterans in Fayette County for FCCAA Analysis of school childrens weight for Steps to a Healthier Fayette Outcomes and expectations of career and technical institute students for Fayette County CTI Transportation needs assessment of persons with visual impairments for the Fayette County Association for the Blind Evaluation of the Wednesday Walks program for the Healthy Lifestyles Program Evaluation of the awareness of faculty and students of Penn State Fayette of crime victims and available services. Letters of intent and all inquiries should be addressed to John Rapano, HSC Research and Development Committee Chair, at jvr3@psu.edu .