Knowledge Center
Measuring the Impact of Community Health
A groundbreaking study led by OMG’s Director of Research, Jill Gurvey, provides statistical evidence that critically ill and nutritionally at-risk people served by MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) incur lower health care costs than similar people who do not receive this service. In an interview, Jill describes her research for MANNA, ties that study to other OMG engagements in community health, and explains the value of using rigorous data to improve programs, secure funding, and guide expansion.Learn more >
New Connections: An Update
When the New Connections' leadership team recently got together at OMG's office, (from left to right: Sharon Norris, Program Consultant; Howard Walters, Project Coordinator; Debra J. Perez, RWJF Senior Program Officer; Gerri Spilka, National Program Director; Taiwanna Messam, RWJF Policy Analyst Fellow; and Edith Arrington, New Connections Deputy Director), they talked about the program's origins, the scholars who receive research grants, and described the program's ambition to build a nationwide network of support among historically underrepresented researchers in the health and healthcare fields.Learn more >
The Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB): Building a positive peer community based on a community support
In any given week, if you were to visit certain college campuses across the country, you might encounter a group of young African-American and Latino male students in a meeting. At first, your attention might be drawn to the fact that all of the students were wearing a shirt and tie. While notable, the student’s attire is not what would likely leave the biggest impression on you. After observing the business-like manner in which the young men ran their meeting and hearing the students talk about ways to be successful, you would realize that you had just observed a powerful example of what can be accomplished when young men work together on their goals. For these young men, the goal is to receive their college degree and continue to make their mark in the world – in the workforce or by furthering their graduate or professional education. These young men are members of the Student African American Brotherhood, or SAAB.Learn more >
Assuring Quality while Scaling up in College Access: OMG Assesses the Posse Foundation’s Capacity for Expansion
Founded in 1989, for the first ten years, the Posse Foundation college access program existed only in New York City. It is now in six cities: New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, and Atlanta, with established partnerships on nearly 30 campuses. In 2006, the Posse Foundation received a three year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand the program to more cities and more campuses. The Posse Foundation hired OMG to evaluate the program’s capacity for expansion as a component of the Kellogg Foundation grant.Learn more >
Promoting Diversity Among Evaluators: The Robert Wood Johnson Evaluation Fellows Program
OMG President Gerri Spilka and Rodney Hopson, Hillman Distinguished Professor, Duquesne University, joined forces to launch the new Robert Wood Johnson Evaluation Fellowship program. They talk about their plans for the fellowship, describe their organizations' roles, and explain why diversity matters.Learn more >
Reducing Childhood Obesity: OMG’s Contribution to Advancing Effective Practice
Our visit to the Garden of Wonders, part of a program in Portland, Oregon that teaches children to grow the food they eat for lunch, was one of the highlights of our assessment for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s program to prevent childhood obesity.Learn more >
