UD Researchers Complete Three-Year Program Evaluation

Researchers from across University of Delaware departments, including the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) in the College of Education and Human Development; the Institute for Public Administration in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration; and Behavioral Health and Nutrition in the College of Health Sciences have completed a three-year program evaluation for the federal pilot program WeCare. An Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services - Research grant, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, helped to support the pilot partnership between Education, Health and Research International (EHRI), Modern Maturity Center, and UD. The final report, Innovative Title III Senior Healthcare Program: Year 3 Final Report, examined individual health assessment data, client and service call data, interviews and case studies. The report concludes that the WeCare program has successfully been able to support a significant number of clients who are experiencing challenges from social determinants of health which include complex and interrelated health for both physical and mental, housing, transportation, and nutrition challenges. The program improves the quality of life for vulnerable older adults who reside in rural areas of Delaware by tracking health conditions, helping them to navigate healthcare options and maintaining necessary connections to social and public health resources. Contributors to this research included Julia O’Hanlon, IPA policy scientist; Allison Karpyn, co-director of CRESP and associate professor; Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, associate professor; master’s student Rachel Samson; James Wallace, CRESP research assistant; Mia Seibold, CRESP research assistant; and Tara Tracy, CRESP research consultant.​

Article by Sophonie Milord. Originally posted in UDaily's For the Record.​