TeleOutreach
TeleOutreach Hub: Leverage telecommunication technology—including tele-educational platforms—to enhance access to participation in research, and to lead to discoveries that overcome barriers to accessing supports and services.
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Our Expertise
The TeleOutreach Hub: 1) develops and adapts methodology to conduct research, development of digital tools, and clinical research in naturalistic settings; 2) supports multi-site networks and data collection, reaching populations with low-incidence needs; 3) provides consultation and subject matter expertise on the incorporation of teleoutreach technology in research and engagement with geographically dispersed (e.g., rural) populations; 4) provides recommendations and resources for teams to trial or loan telehealth equipment or use of satellite site capabilities; and 5) leads interdisciplinary working groups focused on addressing barriers to care, training and education for families and providers, and building scalable connections with communities.
Our Directors
Jessica Simacek, PhD, Co-Director, TeleOutreach Hub and Research Manager 2, Institute on Community Integration
Adele Dimian, PhD, Co-Director, TeleOutreach Hub and Research Associate, Institute on Community Integration
How We Engage
Our Team
Chandra Carl
Research Professional
Adele Dimian, PhD
Co-Director, TeleOutreach Hub
Jessica Emerick
TeleOutreach Lab Technician
Pari Johnson
Project Manager
Jacqueline Roueche
TeleOutreach Lab Technician
Jessica Simacek, PhD
Co-Director, TeleOutreach Hub
Examples of Our Engagement
Autism FIRST
Researchers within the TeleOutreach Hub are conducting a study about the efficacy of early intervention services provided over telehealth (video conferencing) for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Parents will receive coaching to provide interventions to support their child's communication and other skills. Our directors serve as investigators on the project (Co-PI Simacek, Co-I Dimian) and our TeleOutreach Hub team provides direct support of virtual intervention sessions with families and provides training to community providers interested in providing these services via telehealth modalities.
BabySprout
The BabySprout study (Co-PI Simacek) provides infant coaching and interventions in ways that are helpful and easy for families who may have concerns about their infant's development. The BabySprout program includes remote caregiver coaching during daily routines via video-conferencing for 12 weeks, up to 3 times a week, for 10-35 minutes; four remote study “visits” to observe infant’s play and communication at study entry (6-9 months), 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months; and four optional, in-person study visits at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. In collaboration with Educational Psychology and the Institute for Child Development, our hub provides coaching via video conferencing for assessment and intervention sessions, and provides technology kits and toy kits to families for remote assessments. Our team has also created asynchronous modules and online curriculums for participants to view and interact with.
Identification of Risks for Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Young Intensive Care Patients with Prolonged Hospitalization
This study aims to investigate factors contributing to the neurodevelopmental and social-emotional status of young children receiving prolonged (30+ days) intensive care in the pediatric/cardiovascular intensive care unit. The study team conducted brief interviews, questionnaires, and observed interactions both in-person and via telehealth with participants and caregivers. The TeleOutreach Hub provided consultation and training on behavioral coding and remote data collection and developed administration protocols that included fidelity measures and a video demonstration for families completing study procedures via telehealth.
Digital Tools and Resources
Researchers interested in creating or leveraging digital tools can request consultation and support through our Hub. Some examples of ongoing projects include:
Project ECHO Superhub
Project ECHO is a Hub-and-Spoke, “all teach, all learn” model in which subject matter experts and community participants meet virtually for didactic sessions, case presentations, and discussion on specific topics. UMN is a "Superhub" and our TeleOutreach Hub team provides consultation, training, and direct support to those interested in utilizing the model.
Digital Portals for Families
MIDB Family Portal: The TeleOutreach Hub, in collaboration with CEHD’s Educational Technology Innovations team, is creating a digital platform that includes resources, opportunities, and research recruitment materials for families. Providers and researchers can request our team to share materials with families through the portal.
Bridges2Families: The TeleOutreach Hub is developing a secure telehealth portal, where families can connect with a provider via synchronous or asynchronous connection. This site includes resources for providers to support the families that they serve, through creation of individual care portals where a family can access all of these telehealth sessions and provider’s notes in one, easy to use platform.
Learn more about how these digital tools are being leveraged for our DoD Child Collaboration study by visiting Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain and the Department of Defense Child Collaboration Study.
Get Involved
We invite you to contribute your knowledge and skills by participating in one of the working groups:
Interdisciplinary Intervention Pathways for Self-injurious Behavior in Children and Youth
The mission of this work group is to understand and treat self-injury/ self-harm in children and adolescents. Members representing Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychology, Educational Psychology, Pediatrics, and Computer Science and Engineering, the Autism and Neurodevelopment Clinic and the Fragile X Clinic work towards development of research protocols, clinical data inventory, grant submissions, and training and community engagement opportunities. Want to learn more? Visit Interdisciplinary Connections | TeleOutreach Center.
Addressing Barriers to Evaluation and Intervention Access for Children, Youth, and Families
The initial primary focus of this work group is to scale up a promising practice of early, supplemental caregiver coaching via telehealth technology for children who have recently received a neurodevelopmental disability diagnosis. This process includes a rapid referral and subsequent rapid onset of intervention via secure video conferencing to families in their homes.
TeleOutreach and University of Minnesota Extension
Partnering with University of Minnesota Extension, this work group’s preliminary aims are to build meaningful and long-term engagement with Minnesota communities, particularly rural communities, and to understand the needs of and engage these communities in relation to youth with developmental or behavioral health needs. We have successfully launched a Community Mentorship program and accepted three educators paired with community partners, who serve as mentee dyads. With support from TeleOutreach mentors, the dyads engage in needs assessment, training, and technical assistance resources throughout Minnesota.
Want to get involved? Email [email protected].
Learn More
The TeleOutreach Hub works closely with the Institute on Community Integration's TeleOutreach Center