Center for Research on Women :: Research Initiatives - Spring 2010

Research Initiatives - Spring 2010

Memphis Teen Vision
Formerly known as the MidSouth Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention, and Parenting, Memphis Teen Vision (MemTV) is a collaborative effort by over 50 Memphis community organizations to address the high rate of teen pregnancy in our community. MemTV's mission is to organize a coordinated community response to teen pregnancy and parenting that includes services, support and education to pregnant and parenting teens, as well as advocating for strong policies and programs that promote adolescent sexual health.

Girls Incorporated Evaluation Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Girls Inc of Memphis programs for girls ages 9 to 18.

Girl Scouts Evaluation CROW has been commissioned by the Girl Scouts Heart of the South (GSHS) to evaluate programs aimed at promoting courage, confidence, and character in the lives of the girls who participate in their programs. GSHS serves approximately 12,000 girls in grades K-12 across 59 counties in West Tennessee, East Arkansas, and Northern Mississippi. Their Transforming Leadership model uses a variety of programs and activities to lead girls to discover, connect, and take action.

Childcare as an Investment in the Future CROW and the Institute for Women's Studies at the University of Georgia are collaborating with the National Council for Research on Women on a project funded by the Ms. Foundation with support for local data collection from the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent to which the increased childcare funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) adequately reached low-income women and families, particularly families of color. Together, our agencies will examine the impact of ARRA on childcare in Tennessee and Georgia, study the ways in which low-income women have been affected, and use these findings to work with policy makers at the state and federal levels to suggest models for stronger childcare initiatives.

Families First and Tennessee's Single Female-Headed Households
Research to assess Tennessee's TANF program, Families First, and its effectiveness in serving the state's single female-headed households. Sponsored by the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis.

Sexual Harassment of Teens in Memphis Middle and High Schools
An investigation of the frequency, types, and long-term impact of sexual harassment experienced by teenagers in Memphis middle and high schools. Supported in part by The Urban Child Institute and the University of Memphis Faculty Research Grant Program.
Infant Mortality in Memphis
Evaluation of Community Voice, a new intervention to reduce infant mortality. Supported in part by the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination.

Campus Safety for Women
Project to assess, reduce and prevent violence against women on University of Memphis campuses.

Preconception Health
Project in development that would address pregnancy planning, timing, and preparation for healthy pregnancy among urban adolescent girls, with goals to prevent unintended pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.

Supporting Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Project in development to systematically increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women faculty in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines at the University of Memphis.