Arkansas Cancer Community Network (AR-CCN)

For more information, contact Regina Gibson at 501-296-1501, ext 1397

COMMUNITY PREPARATION FOR RESEARCH
To adequately address the discovery/development/delivery gap, the training and research program will include three related curricula tailored to three groups of research partners – Cancer Council members and other community residents; students and junior/minority investigators; and established university investigators with expertise relevant to cancer disparities. The focus will be informing community members and providing a basis for stimulating community programs under the direction of community members.

PILOT RESEARCH PROJECTS
The AR-CCN research agenda will provide a system for developing fundable pilot projects to investigate cancer health disparities in a community-based participatory research approach for Arkansas communities. Previously funded pilot projects serve as specific examples of our capacity to conduct studies that address cancer disparities in minority and underserved populations.

POLICY
AR-CCN expands new program activity into policy research on both the state and local level. The AR-CCN policy initiative allows for input from researchers, policy makers, and community participants at varying stages of the policy process. Our objective is to establish an evidenced based framework for cancer disparities policy. Our long-term goal is to build a solid reputation of credibility and reliability of AR-CCN among legislators and key partners within the policy making community. Leading the policy initiative is Dr. Glen Mays Vice Chair of College of Public Health Policy and Health Management Department and co-investigator AR-CCN together with Charlotte Williams, Policy Analyst AR-CCN.

PREPARATION OF INVESTIGATORS ANDINSTITUTIONS FOR RESEARCH WITH THE COMMUNITY
To promote a broader awareness of AR-CCN activities and identify new collaborators, course work in accredited degree programs and seminars integrated into ongoing programs sponsored by the UAMS College of Public Health, Arkansas Department of Health and Humans Services, and other partners will comprise the core curriculum for junior/minority faculty and students participating in PIIRC. The information presented in these ongoing seminar programs will be presented in settings attended by established investigators with expertise relevant to cancer disparities who are not involved in community-based research.

Research Development Teams include experienced investigators, junior faculty from UAMS and Philander Smith College, UAMS graduate and medical students, Philander Smith undergraduate students, and Cancer Council members. Students and faculty on RDTs will participate in a range of activities, including attending lectures in accredited degree programs (UAMS, Philander Smith) and/or seminars sponsored by UAMS, the Arkansas Department of Public Health, and other partners; meeting with Cancer Councils to participate in development of interventions, pilot studies, and grant applications; participating in community events to gain experience in implementation of interventions and research methods; and consulting with mentors regarding specific training activities and research project.