Research-Practice Collaboration to Improve Children’s Behavioral Health

PI: Cathy Taylor, Professor at the BC School of Social Work, Director of Child and Behavioral Health Research Innovations (CABHRI) Lab Faculty Affiliate at the Boston College Institute of Early Childhood Policy (IECP)

Collaborator(s):
External Partner: Wayside Youth and Family Support Network

Project Brief:
There is a national crisis in behavioral health among youth. Yet, many families receive care that is not aligned with the latest research evidence. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a clinical decision-making process that identifies optimal care based on a patient’s needs and context, clinical expertise, and the best available research evidence. Unfortunately, behavioral health agencies often face barriers to accessing and translating the best available research into practice. Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) can help break down those barriers. RPPs are collaborations that involve mutual learning and co-creation between researchers and agency stakeholders, and foster “nurturing conditions” essential to increasing EBP. However, cultivating and sustaining RPPs can be challenging. This study will use a mixed methods approach to: 1) improve understanding of behavioral health agencies’ experiences and needs regarding EBP, 2) gain insight into how best to cultivate strong and sustainable RPPs between BC and MA behavioral health agencies, and 3) co-create and pilot test intervention plans designed to improve EBP and strengthen RPPs. As Mike Semel of The Home notes: “Implementing EBP in a large child welfare organization is complex. We hope these RPPs can support “quality improvement practices" (Beth Chin, Wayside) and, ultimately, lead to better behavioral health outcomes for youth and their families.

Voices of Change: Community-driven Mental Health Interventions for Displaced and Migrant Populations in Colombia

PI: Maria Pineros-Leano, Associate Professor at Boston College School of Social Work

Collaborator(s):
Bogota Mayor's Office and others in Colombia

Project Brief:
The project, Voices of Change, addresses the urgent mental health needs of internally displaced and Venezuelan migrant youth in Bogotá, Colombia. Through a collaboration with a non-government organization in Colombia, this initiative builds on prior research and community partnerships to co-develop a culturally relevant and evidence-informed mental health intervention. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, the project centers the voices of internally displaced persons and Venezuelan migrants in every phase—from identifying mental health priorities to designing sustainable solutions. Activities include interviews, community workshops, and the formation of advisory boards composed of local youth and stakeholders. The main goal is to create a sustainable, community-driven intervention that reflects the lived experiences, cultural contexts, and resilience of those it serves. This work advances mental health equity in the Global South as well as social justice, global engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, aligning with Boston College’s mission to promote the common good through research and community partnership.

AI-Driven Water Insecurity Prediction Using Satellite Data: A Framework for the Sahel Region

PI: Amin Mohebbi, Associate Professor of Practice in the Engineering Department

Project Brief:
Water insecurity poses a critical threat to livelihoods and environmental stability in the Sahel region of Africa, where climate variability, erratic rainfall, and limited infrastructure undermine sustainable water access. This project proposes the development of an AI-driven framework for predicting water insecurity using satellite-derived data on precipitation, vegetation health, soil moisture, and surface water dynamics. By integrating deep learning models, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, this research aims to capture both spatial and temporal patterns of water stress across the Sahel. The study will generate predictive risk maps to identify vulnerable areas, offering an essential tool for policymakers, NGOs, and local governments to enhance early warning systems, guide resource allocation, and strengthen regional resilience against climate-induced water crises. Through its scalable, data-driven approach, the project addresses urgent challenges at the intersection of climate change, water security, and sustainable development in the Global South, with potential applications in similarly vulnerable regions worldwide.