Partnering for Research at Your CIL: Lessons Learned from the Peer Collective (Social Isolation)
Krys Standley, Rayna Sage, Hannah Pepprock and Ashley Newell
Session Overview:
Many CIL staff and consumers are asked to participate in CIL-based research projects, but we currently lack systematic guidance on how best to build strong partnerships and processes between CIL staff, consumers, and researchers. In this session, attendees will:
- Learn about CIL-based intervention research
- Give and receive peer support regarding CIL-based research projects
- Contribute ideas for a fact sheet to inform research practices for stronger CIL-based projects
- Have the opportunity to provide their contact information to give further feedback on and receive the finalized fact sheet
Additional Materials for this Session:
About Your Presenter:
Krys Standley
Krys Standley holds a M.S. in Community Health and Prevention Sciences, and a B.A. in Psychology, both from the University of Montana, and is certified as a health education specialist. She began working with the RTC:Rural in 2017 as a graduate research assistant, and completed her master's thesis on an RTC project, evaluating the effects of a health-promotion intervention on health behavior change, personal sense of meaning, and hope.
In her work, she uses qualitative and quantitative research methods and participatory research processes. Her research interests include rural health and community participation.
Krys lived in rural and remote parts of Montana before moving to Missoula in 2013. Prior to joining the RTC:Rural, she worked with at-risk youth populations.
Rayna Sage
Rayna is a Rural Sociologist and Researcher at the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. She focuses her work on improving access to Home and Community-Based Services, social connection, and independent living service outreach for rural consumers. Rayna grew up in rural North Idaho, the daughter of a sawyer and has a feisty and friendly big orange cat named Blue.
Hannah Pepprock
Hannah is originally from Montana and grew up on the hi-line (Shelby and Havre). She earned her bachelor’s in anthropology from UM in 2019 and completed her master’s in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023.
While earning her master's, Hannah began working full-time as a clinical research coordinator with a focus on cancer genetics and prevention. Upon completing her master's degree, she was eager to return home to Montana, and began looking for a position that would allow her to stay in the research space while further exploring the key themes of her public health education. Joining RTC: Rural felt the natural next step, and she is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the inspiring work being done throughout the institute.
In her spare time, Hannah can often be found relaxing with her pets (a cat named Tonks and a dog named River), playing in the garden, doing yoga, or binge-watching a cozy Netflix reality show.
Ashley Newell
Ashley is the Lead Advocate at Mounting Horizons (MHI), Center for Independent Living of Galveston County, TX. As Lead Advocate, they facilitate classes and trainings within the Youth Transition Program, Vocational Adjustment Trainings, and through job skills training at individual’s work sites while also representing MHI on multiple committees with local and regional partners. Ashley has a BFA Concentrating in Art History, which helped them develop their researching skills prior to entering the nonprofit sector. Nowadays, Ashley is researching and tracking legislative bills impacting marginalized communities on a state and federal level, resources available in Brazoria, Galveston and Harris Counties, and connecting local, state, and regional-level agencies to grassroots group serving disability/minority communities in the Houston-Galveston region. In Ashley’s personal life, they enjoy creating art, playing with their two cats, and serving as a peer mentor.