Dr. David Collins is a Research Scientist at the Louisville Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation where he has worked since 2000. Dr. Collins is currently lead evaluator on PIRE’s NIJ-funded 21st Century Policing Cross-Site Multi-Stakeholder Sentinel Event Review (SER) Project. This project is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of Sentinel Event Review models to identify and understand root causes that can be mitigated to reduce or eliminate critical events in complex multi-jurisdictional settings.
Dr. Collins’ broader research and evaluation work has included: leading evaluations of state substance abuse prevention projects (including SAMHSA-funded Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grants); NIH research on environmental strategies aimed at reducing misuse of prescription drugs; evaluation of Veterans Health Administration Whole Health training programs for clinicians (including Whole Health Coaching, Whole Health for Mental Health, Whole Health Coaching Certification, and Hypnosis for Clinicians courses); and research on long-term sustainability of substance abuse prevention coalitions and evidence-based prevention interventions.
Sustainability Projects
Sustainability Readiness Strategy for Wellness Organizations (2021)
Knowlton Johnson
David Collins
Steve Shamblen
Abraham Wandersman
In 2021, the PIRE sustainability team in partnership with the Wandersman Center completed a sustainability readiness strategy (SRS). This strategy includes two evidence-based features and four SRS support system resources for organizations interested in sustainment of wellness evidence-based interventions (EBIs) after initial funding has ended. The evidence-based SRS features are a research informed conceptual framework and a step-by-step process adapted from the Getting To Outcomes® (GTO) process model. The four support system resources are a detailed Toolkit, interactive Excel™ Tools, a Coaching Guide, and an Evaluation Guide. The following link presents an overview of the SRS and four key support system resources:
Access the study landing page here: A Strategy to Sustain Wellness EBIs (PIRE, 2021)
Long-Term Sustainability of Evidence-Based Prevention Interventions and Community Coalitions Survival: a Five and One-Half Year Follow-up Study (2017)
Knowlton Johnson
David Collins
Steve Shamblen
Tara Kenworthy
Abraham Wandersman
This study was also part of the Tennessee SPF SIG. Secondary data were collected on 27 SPF SIG-funded coalitions and 88 evidence-based prevention intervention (EBPI) and non-EBPI implementations. Primary data were collected by a telephone interview/web survey five and one-half years after the SPF SIG ended. Results show that 25 of the 27 coalitions survived beyond the SPF SIG for one to five and one-half years; 19 coalitions (70%) were still active five and one-half years later. Twenty-one (21) of 27 coalitions (78%) implemented one to three EBPIs, totaling 37 EBPI implementations. Based on data on 29 of the 37 EBPI implementations, 28 EBPIs (97%) were sustained between two and five and one-half years while 22 EBPI implementations (76%) were sustained for five and one-half years. Strong predictors of length of EBPI sustainability included: increases in data resources, positive change in extramural funding resources, level of expertise during SPF SIG implementation, coalition formalization at the end of the SPF SIG, and one intervention attribute (trialability). The study was published in Prevention Science (Johnson et al., 2017).
Access the article here: Prevention Science (Johnson et al., 2017)
Sustainability Strategy for Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions (2009)
Knowlton Johnson
David Collins
Steve Shamblen
Abraham Wandersman
The PIRE-Louisville team developed a sustainability strategy for substance abuse prevention coalitions, and piloted the strategy with five Tennessee Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) State Incentive Grant (SIG) coalitions in rural counties in 2009. This study presents a sustainability strategy, its implementation protocols, and a pilot study of implementation and sustainability readiness. The strategy is guided by a conceptual framework that integrates: (a) a strategy for sustaining prevention infrastructure and interventions and (b) the Getting To Outcomes® planning and evaluation process. Data-informed decision making is key to this strategy, which includes initial assessment of sustainability capacity and sustainable innovation characteristics, and progresses through planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement to sustain targeted innovations. A support system for implementing the strategy, including a toolkit, primer, electronic tools, and training and technical assistance, is described. Lessons learned from a pilot study for future testing and implementation of the strategy are also discussed. This study was published in the Journal of Community Psychology (Johnson et al., 2013).
Access the article here: Journal of Community Psychology (Johnson et al., 2013)
