Enhancing Veteran Community Reintegration Research (ENCORE) Project

Overview

The Enhancing Veteran Community Reintegration Research (ENCORE) project was designed to create a VA research agenda to improve the impact of VA policies and programs that support Veteran community reintegration. The project formed a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) to engage Veterans, families, and caregivers, as well as VA program directors, researchers, and community organizations to prioritize research needs in this area. ENCORE understands community reintegration from many diverse viewpoints because all these people help with the work. This assures the research agenda is meaningful to everyone involved.

Principle Investigator

Karen Besterman-Dahan, PhD, RD

Key Project Staff

Margeaux Chavez, MA, MPH, CPH

Bridget Hahm, MA, MPH, CCRC

Jacquelyn Heuer, MA

Jason Lind, PhD, MPH

ENCORE Goal and Objectives

ENCORE’s impact goal is to use research to improve VA’s Veteran community reintegration programs, services, and policies. The project focuses on two key objectives to meet the goal: 

1. Mobilize Veteran community reintegration research
2. Promote innovation, relevance, and acceleration of research and knowledge translation related to Veteran community reintegration

Activities in support of these objectives have resulted in several products for dissemination and knowledge translation.

Products & Consultation Opportunities

ENCORE Products

ENCORE and the MSP have created a research agenda, peer reviewed publications, informational briefs, presentations, webinars, infographics and more.

• Veteran Community Reintegration Research Agenda, Veteran Community Reintegration Research Agenda (va.gov)
• Evidence Synthesis Program Community Reintegration Evidence Compendium, https://vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/veteran-community-reintegration-compendium.cfm
• Evidence Synthesis Program Community Reintegration Evidence Snapshot, https://vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/veteran-community-reintegration-compendium-evidence-snapshot.pdf
• April 28, 2022 Cyberseminar, Stakeholders Setting Course Toward a VA Research Agenda to Improve the Impact of Veteran Community Reintegration Research, /for_researchers/cyber_seminars/archives/video_archive.cfm?SessionID=4148
• Article published in the Journal of Veterans Studies, The Future of Veteran Community Engagement: Perspectives on Engaging Veterans and Other Stakeholders in Research Agenda Setting, https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/10.21061/jvs.v8i2.360/
• July-August 2022 issue of Veterans’ Perspectives: ENCORE: Working with Stakeholders to Improve the Impact of Veteran Community Reintegration Research, /publications/vets_perspectives/Jul-Aug22-ENCORE-Working-with-Stakeholders-to-Improve-the-Impact-of-Veteran-Community-Reintegration-Research.cfm
• ENCORE News, a quarterly newsletter for ENCORE stakeholders

Consultation Opportunities

Beginning in FY23, researchers will have an opportunity to submit requests for consultations for research proposals and other work related to Veteran community reintegration. Requests will be evaluated for alignment with the MSP’s Veteran community reintegration research agenda. When appropriate, the consultation will include networking opportunities to others working on related topic areas.

To request a consultation, please email Bridget Hahm at Bridget.Hahm@va.gov.

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