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The purpose of the ACCEL Community Engaged (ACE) Research Awards was to create and expand Community-Academic Research Partnerships by developing a cadre of independent Community Engagement Scholars in Delaware trained to conduct research that engages the community. Training was accomplished through a combination of education and research experiences.

2014-2015 ACE Awardees

Examining Survivors of Cancer and Physical Activity in Delaware (ESCAPADE): A community-based participatory research approach

Led by Michael Mackenzie, Ph.D. from the University of Delaware and Sean Hebbel, MSW Program Director of Cancer Support Community Delaware.

The “Examining Survivors of Cancer and Physical Activity in Delaware: A community-based participatory research approach” (ESCAPADE) Study will 1) develop community engagement via a CBPR approach that assesses the physical activity needs of the Delaware cancer community, including existing physical activity community resources, how these resources are currently accessed, and any challenges-gaps the Delaware cancer community faces in the uptake of physical activity-related programming; and 2) translate these preliminary findings into practical recommendations for subsequent action-oriented research.

Future endeavors include a state-wide large-scale physical activity survey and sustainable community-based physical activity programming and health promotion efforts across the cancer survivorship continuum.


Designing an approach for including youth with disabilities in the Youth Tobacco Survey

Led by Steve Martin, Ms.C., MS and Eileen Sparling, Ed.M. both from the University of Delaware

Statewide surveys routinely monitor the prevalence of health risk behaviors and inform prevention interventions. Current youth sampling protocols include public middle and high school students in regular, graded classrooms with fewer than 50% students with special educational needs.

This project, Including Youth with Disabilities in the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS), seeks to develop an accommodation protocol that will allow school health surveys to be conducted among students in special education classrooms and schools. The new disability screening questions developed by an Advisory Panel in this study will be field-tested in the Delaware YTS. Project partners include University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Center for Drug and Health Studies, and the State of Delaware’s Division of Public Health.