Kristin Lee Berg

Email Address: kberg2@uic.edu
College: Applied Health Sciences Department: Disability and Human Development
Title: Associate Professor/IL LEND Training Director

Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes

Research Interest:
Using rigorous methods that are conceptually grounded in the social model of disability, my scholarship develops evidence to improve the health and independent living outcomes of youth with ASD and other development disabilities. I initially focused on the role of violence and adversity in the health and wellbeing of children with ASD including, but not limited to, my role as PI on a federally funded project (Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Family Adversity and Health Disparities for Young Children with Autism. Building upon this work, I have expanded my focus to include the development and evaluation of strategies and approaches to address behavioral health disparities among youth with disabilities. I was recently awarded a grant from the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) [BEhavioral Health Stratified Treatment (BEST) to Optimize Transition to Adulthood for Youth with I/DD) to investigate the efficacy of integrated behavioral health care coordination on health and transition readiness outcomes for youth with disabilities across Illinois.. As I consider my future work and long-term impact on the field, I plan to push the field towards an integrated behavioral health care approach which prioritizes cost-effective interventions to facilitate optimal health trajectories for youth with I/DD.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: flexible

Qualifications of a Student:
Interest in or prior experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Under the supervision of the project PI, students can assist with the adaption and implementation of the BEST project curriculum and materials, as well as community engagement, data collection and analysis activities. This may include the following:
-Assist with assessment of curriculum needs, goals, and gaps; may involve literature review
-Assist with collection and synthesis of feedback from community stakeholders and subject experts regarding the needs, goals, and gaps in the project
-Assist with collection and summary of focus group and community stakeholder (CAC) data.
-Assist with implementation of surveys, interviews
-Assist with recruitment activities and other related projects
-Opportunities to explore data and collaborate on abstracts and publications

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