Support Teams
The Positive Aging Resource Center (PARC) is comprised of six support teams that provide information, training and resources to consumers, providers and policymakers.
The Consumer Support Team
The Consumer Support Team develops strategies and products to disseminate information and educational materials to older adults, caregivers and consumer advocates. It also facilitates an interactive web site for consumers and caregivers. The team is co-led by Noelle Downing, M.A., DIrector of Consumer Education for PARC, and Rosa Wims, L.P.N., PARC consumer representative.
The Provider Support Team
The Provider Support Team informs physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and direct service workers who have regular contact with older adults who may have mental health needs. It develops training programs and helps service programs to identify evidence-based practices (EBPs), document the implementation of EBPs, and implement outcome performance measures. The team is co-led by Jack McIntyre, M.D., of PARC and Robert Hickey, Ph.D., PARC consumer representative.
The Outreach Support Team
The Outreach Support Team facilitates sharing of outreach knowledge, strategies, and products, document outreach activities, and encourages the dissemination of promising outreach models. The team is co-led by Louise Quijano, M.S.W., of PARC and Violeta Maya, PARC consumer representative.
The Cultural Competency Support Team
The Cultural Competency Support Team facilitates the integration of cultural aspects into service programs and provides information to help organizations improve their cultural competence. The team is co-led by Ramón Valle, M.S.W., Ph.D., of PARC and Ibis Guinness, PARC consumer representative.
The Evaluation Support Team
The Evaluation Support Team provides support to organizations to develop and implement outcome evaluation plans. It also collaborates with the provider team to develop outcome performance measures. The team is co-led by Rodolfo Vega, Ph.D. of PARC and Harvey Hoffenberg, PARC consumer representative.
The Policy Support Team
The Policy Support Team identifies funding and access barriers to mental health service delivery to older adults. It also assesses older adults' understanding of coverage for mental health services. The team is co-led by Jim Maxwell, Ph.D., of PARC and Trudy Persky, M.S.W., PARC consumer representative.