Current Projects
The following are studies that the Iowa Social Science Research Center is currently supporting:
Facilitated Community Discussion Groups: Immigrant and Refugee Communities in Polk County to Assess Tap Water Awareness and Test Messaging Strategies
Primary Investigators
Samantha Zuhlke, Research Fellow, Environmental Policy Research Program and Assistant Professor, School of Planning and Public Affairs
Who to Contact with Questions
Samantha Zuhlke: samantha-zuhlke@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
This community engagement project consists of hosting listening sessions with immigrant/refugee groups to ascertain tap water concerns and sources of information within these groups. The project will produce recommendations for Polk County and the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) to a) address drinking water behavior among these groups and b) build relationships with these communities.
Project or PI/Contact’s Web Site:
https://sppa.uiowa.edu/people/samantha-zuhlke
2024 Dental Wellness Plan Consumer Mail Project
Primary Investigators
Peter Damiano, DDS and Jennifer Sukalski, Assistant Professor of Preventive and Community Dentistry
Who to Contact with Questions
Brooke McInroy: brooke-mcinroy@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the consumer's perspective of the Iowa state dental insurance program, the Dental Wellness Plan. Survey topics will include access to care, quality of care, costs, provider network adequacy, and member outreach and referral services. The information from this study will be used to evaluate the Dental Wellness Plan, an innovatively designed dental insurance program for low-income adults.
Focus Group Study of Iowa Farming Parents on Their Attitudes Regarding Firearm Storage in Homes and Firearm Injury Prevention Efforts
Primary Investigator
Marc Doobay, MPAS PA-C DFAAPA
Who to Contact with Questions
Pam Hoogerwerf: pamela-hoogerwerf@uiowa.edu
Charles Jennissen: charles-jennissen@uiowa.edu
Kristel Wetjen: kristel-wetjen@uiowa.edu
Marc Doobay: marc-doobay@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of child and adolescent death in the United States. Rural areas have higher rates of firearm-related unintentional and suicide deaths. Focus Groups will be conducted to understand better rural families’ current practices and attitudes regarding firearm and ammunition storage, what practices they would be willing to change to increase safety and prevent injury, and what messaging and safety programming they think would be most effective in educating rural families to improve storage practices and help decrease firearm-related deaths and injuries among adolescents in farming/ranching communities.
Medicaid New Enrollee Data Collection Project 2023-24
Primary Investigator
Betsy Momany Ph.D.
Who to Contact with Questions
Grace Bao: juan-bao@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
This data collection effort seeks to study recent enrollees of the Medicaid program in the state of Iowa. Researchers seek to learn about barriers to enrollment as well as preconceptions of participation. More information can be found at: https://ppc.uiowa.edu/project/evaluation-iowa-medicaid-managed-care-programs
Emergency Preparedness and Support for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia
Primary Investigator
Dr. Sato Ashida
Who to Contact with Questions
Sato-Ashida@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
ISRC will conduct phone interviews and recruitment for the Caregivers of Family Members with Dementia. For part of this project, the ISRC will recruit members by phone. For the other part of the study ISRC will conduct phone interviews with approximately 143 respondents within 7-10 days after recruitment once they have received their packet (mailed out by client). The ISRC will then conduct follow up interviews after 3 months and after 6 months.
Polk County Mental Health & Disability Services Annual Assessment
Primary Investigator
Tessa Heeren, MSW
Who to Contact with Questions
tessa-heeren@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
For more than a decade, Polk County Mental Health & Disability Services (PCMHDS) has enlisted a third-party research team, at the University of Iowa, to collect and analyze satisfaction-type data from program participants. The Iowa Social Science Research Center (ISRC) provides the telephone and in-person data collection services for this annual assessment. Survey respondents answer questions about their experiences and the success of their services. The resultant data is shared with both PCMHDS and the service provider to evaluate provider performance, determine future support, and detect inadequacies, if any exist. Information attained is confidential and helps to inform agency decision-making and funding.