Interagency Collaboration Implementation
DISSEMINATION SYMPOSIUM
New York City
May 4, 2017
Project Interagency Collaboration Implementation (ICI) is a longitudinal (2012-17) study, led by Associate Professor Rogério M. Pinto, and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (Principal Investigator: R. M. Pinto; R01MH095676),
Project ICI is a community based participatory research study investigating interagency collaboration and referral making among New York City health and social service community based organizations. Our research follows 250 providers in 36 agencies over the course of three years. The study goal is to learn and develop best practices to help service practitioners to foster collaboration among agencies in order to increase the number of individuals receiving evidence-based services and being referred to HIV prevention or treatment – the HIV Continuum of care.
In an effort to bridge research and practice and effectively engage providers who participated in the study, Project ICI hosted a dissemination symposium at the Faculty House at Columbia University. The event included keynote addresses were by Dr. Chris Gordon, Chief of the HIV Treatment and Translational Science Branch at the Division of AIDS Research at NIMH, and Dr. Julie Myers, the Director for HIV Prevention at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Both discussed the importance of research and providing care in combatting HIV.
Following these talks, participants heard from and engaged with a panel of administrators, providers, and researchers who discussed and analyzed the Project ICI findings. Participants enjoyed a lunch break with live musical performances. Project ICI team members then led a wellness event, reminding participants of the importance of self-care. Team members also led small group discussions regarding collaboration, self-care, research involvement, and future research. The day concluded with everyone coming together to reflect on small group discussions and the entire symposium.
By attending to the needs of participants, the Project ICI team created an event that was engaging and worthwhile. This included offering continuing education credit, multimedia modes for participation, food, music, networking opportunities, and space to focus on wellness and participants’ experiences. The format of the dissemination symposium provided opportunities for participants to actively contribute to the discussions and have their opinions and experiences validated by peers.