Evolving in Partnership: A Community-Academic Collaboration Promoting Urban Adolescents’ Well-being

Dr. Tara Mehta is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of Psychology Training in the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois Chicago. She received her M.S. in Developmental Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and her Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. The central theme of Dr. Mehta’s work is to reduce the persistent disparities in access to mental health services for underserved, and often marginalized, children and families. 

Dr. Mehta's work is based in an ecological public health model, and she conducts community-based collaborative research focused on (1) developing culturally responsive, alternative models of mental health services for children and youth and (2) workforce development to enhance the capacity of community organizations to sustain accessible, effective services that enhance children’s and youth's well-being and promote mental health. Her specific interests include leveraging natural resources (teachers, staff) in settings critical to children’s development and mental health (school, after-school), activating paraprofessionals to promote and enhance services, and enhancing organizational factors that are crucial to maintain and sustain effective practices. 

Dr. Mehta has collaborated with multiple partners in Chicago, including the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, community mental health centers, and non-profit organizations. In addition to research, Dr. Mehta is a clinician in the Colbeth Clinic, is a core faculty member of the Community Engagement and Collaboration core in the UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science and is an Affiliate of the UIC Clinical Psychology Program. 

Objectives:

1. Describe an effective community-academic partnership
2. Explain key elements of a community-academic partnership that enhances intervention development
3. Define an iterative approach to intervention development within a community setting

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1credit AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Education Units (1) will be available for Social Workers and affiliated reciprocal agencies. Illinois Board License number 159-000112.

The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This event is 1 credit hour continuing education.

No member of the planning committee for this activity have reported a relevant relationship with a commercial interest.  There is no conflict of interest and nothing to disclose.

Tara Mehta, PhD has no relevant financial relationship with commercial interests related to this CME activity.