Self-Help Network is internationally recognized as a leading self-help group clearinghouse and as a Center for Community Support and Research of Wichita State University dedicated to serving Kansas self-help groups, community coalitions, networks of community members and non-profit health and human service organizations. Our history and special interest is in working with those who are often not given a “seat at the table” when community change is being considered. Our philosophy is based in Robert Greenleaf’s concept of Servant Leadership. As servant leaders we are dedicated to working with Kansans to help them accomplish their desired end-in-mind for positive community change.

With an interdisciplinary staff of nearly twenty, we have expertise in a variety of topics including community collaboration, strategic planning, evaluation/outcome research and leadership development. When working with others we take a generalist approach by bringing tools and strategies that are useful regardless of the topic and draw upon best practice approaches of community psychology, social work, business, and public health.

Living in the academic world of Wichita State University and working extensively in communities across Kansas, we have come to appreciate the powerful combination of theoretical and research knowledge found at a university coupled with the experiential knowledge of Kansas community leaders. We intentionally draw upon those tools and share them with our partners. We believe that every Kansan has valuable experience and strengths worth sharing with others and so seek intentionally to identify and partner with others also passionate about creating thriving Kansas communities.

The Research and Evaluation Team includes research associates who develop, implement, and report findings of community-based research and evaluations for nonprofits, community coalitions, government agencies, schools, and other grassroots causes. As a nationally recognized expert on community-based research we recognize that every project and organization is unique. Therefore, the Research and Evaluation team uses those methods that are most appropriate to answer the questions of interest and ensure the future success of programs and projects. The Research and Evaluation team offers a wide-variety of best-practice methods, including:

• Needs assessment to explore future priorities and direction
• Program evaluations to determine if activities have desired impact(s)
• Telephone, mail, and web-based surveys
• Focus groups to gain input from people who have a vested interest
• Database creation for ongoing assessment
• Logic models to help understand the relationship between vision, mission, strategies, and outcomes
• Outcome and monitoring systems
• Advanced statistical data analyses
• Partnerships to provide research support for grant proposals
• Background literature research on specific topics of interest

Contact:

Self-Help Network Center for Community Support and Research

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Wichita State University, Department of Psychology

1845 Fairmount, Box 201

Wichita, KS 67260-0201