Several types of resources support community-engaged design initiatives. Each plays an important role in facilitating collaboration, providing expertise and fostering meaningful engagement. Below are examples of resources offered through the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement for all phases of a study.
Our services are designed to help you achieve meaningful community engagement, ensuring your research aligns with key engagement principles. Whether you are aiming to make your research more community-focused or want to enhance a specific aspect of your engagement plan, we are here to support you.
Planning the Study
Engagement Consultation
Offering expert guidance to researchers and clinicians on effectively engaging with diverse communities. Services include:
· Stakeholder identification
· Study design
· Recruitment and retention planning
· Dissemination planning
· Administrative grant support (e.g., letters of support, engagement methods, and budget planning, recruitment and retention section)
Community Scientists
Community Scientists connects researchers with community members who bridge the gap between academia and the community, ensuring research is relevant and beneficial to those it aims to serve.
Design Studios
This interactive series assesses and refines research proposals. Sessions involve researchers presenting their proposal to a group of scientific experts and Community Scientists and receiving formal feedback.
Catchment Area Statistics
This service offers simple and complex query capabilities, providing researchers with access to cancer-related data (UF Health Tumor Registry, Florida Cancer Registry, census-based measures). We assist researchers in extracting and analyzing intricate data sets, ensuring comprehensive research support.
Community Partnerships
The UF Health Cancer Center has an extensive network of community partners across state and national levels. Partnering with these organizations facilitates co-creation of solutions that address the unique needs of specific communities, including improving cancer prevention, treatment, and access to care.
Community Registries
Community registries are available for researchers, which include data from people across the state of Florida. Community registries can be used for Community Health Needs Assessments, hot-spotting analyses, preliminary data for grants, cohort identification, and guiding study recruitment.
Conducting the Study
Community-Based Research Navigation
These services guide participants through the research process, from recruitment to completion. Navigators help to address any barriers, ensuring a smooth and informed research experience, and can screen and refer eligible participants to study teams.
Community-based Data Collection
Community-based data collection services ensure accurate and culturally sensitive data gathering within the community. COE community health workers (CHWs) can support study teams by administering research surveys directly in communities with target populations.
Transportation Services
Our services ensure that participants and/or patients have access to reliable transportation for clinical trial visits and reduce transportation barriers. Transportation services include coordinating ride details with the driver and participant and ride-share administration and invoicing.
Language Services
Language services support participants who speak different languages. Interpreters and translators ensure clear communication between researchers and participants, promoting inclusivity and understanding in all research activities. Language services include document translation and real-time interpretation services during encounters.
Disseminating the Study Results
Community-Based Outreach and Education
Our community-based outreach and education services aim to raise awareness about cancer research and clinical trials. COE community health workers (CHWs) can support study teams by delivering study-relevant health education in community-based settings.
Community-Informed Materials
We support development and dissemination of resources, tools, and content developed with direct input from the community members involved in or affected by research. These materials are designed to be relevant, accessible, and culturally appropriate for the target population. Examples include educational pamphlets, surveys, and intervention guides.
Distribution of Translational Findings to Clinicians
We support distribution of translational research findings to clinicians by sharing research outcomes with practical applications in clinical settings. The goal is to inform clinicians about the latest evidenced-based practices, treatments, and diagnostic tools so they can be integrated into practice.
Cancer Connections
Cancer Connections is an educational and networking event that brings together cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals. Presentation topics include leading-edge cancer research, treatment options and health care services, explained in an easy-to-understand way.
Town Hall and Community Event Presentations
We offer opportunities for researchers to participate in town hall and community event presentations to disseminate their work and connect with community members. Researchers can gather input on issues and initiatives and foster capacity building within the community.
COE Newsletters
The COE disseminates a newsletter to a wide range of people, including UF Health Cancer Center members and members of its Community Advisory Board, community members, and people expressing an interest in COE. The newsletter includes general news and updates from COE, data and research highlights, and information about community partnerships and upcoming events.
