Goals and objectives
The overarching goal of the HWRN is to build research capacity that will accelerate the pace of research achieved by a consensus-driven research agenda. Goal 1: Sustain and expand a national interdisciplinary research network that focuses on promoting healthy weight among children with ASD/DD.
Goal 1
Sustain and expand a national interdisciplinary research network that focuses on promoting healthy weight among children with ASD/DD. Objectives: (1) Sustain a Network that engages supports and promotes the work of the HWRN and its CREs; (2) Review/refine a consensus-driven research agenda that reflects the priorities of a broad constituency of stakeholders; and (3) Cultivate the next generation of researchers in ASD/DD health promotion .
Goal 2
Develop and implement research protocols that fulfill the aims of the network's research agenda. Objectives: (1) Fund 2 -3 pilot projects per year designed to incubate research ideas and protocols; (2) Conduct at least 1 secondary data analysis annually using secondary datasets and a focus on historically underserved groups to add to extant knowledge on prevalence risk factors and/or other relevant correlates of weight status in children with ASD/DD; and (3) Develop 2+ extramural. grant proposals to support the work of the HWRN.
Goal 3
Disseminate network research findings to diverse audiences. Objectives: (1) Submit 3+ papers to peer-reviewed journals annually; (2) Present HWRN research findings at national and international meetings; (3) Offer at least 2 webinars yearly on topics relevant to the HWRN research agenda as well as results from HWRN studies. d (4).Publish a monthly newsletter that includes HWRN news a compilation of the current research on weight-related topics in children with ASD/DD and funding opportunities for research in the field.
Coordination
The HWRN comprises 10 CREs with expertise in ASD/DD and/or weight status a diverse Steering Committee and a wide array of Associate Members and Subscribers. We have collaborations with several organizations including AUCD LEND and UCEDD programs other MCHB networks namely AIR-P and DBP-Net and programs serving underserved populations such as Head Start Healthy Start SNAP WIC and Family Voices among others.
Products
15+ peer-reviewed articles; 25+ research presentations; 10 webinars;60 monthly Newsletters 10+ extramural funding application submissions; maintain HWRN website and Facebook/social media outlets.
Evaluation
Program outcomes will be assessed by the extent to which the aims of each objective have been met and feedback from HWRN membership and constituents.