Research Expanding Access to Child Health (REACH)

The overall goal of this Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) is to strengthen pediatric health care research infrastructure in Delaware, specifically that at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Consistent with this goal, we will establish a thematic, multidisciplinary health research system – The REACH (Research Expanding Access to Child Health) Center – rooted in the principles and methods of pediatric healthcare delivery science, bridging our biomedical research and health care systems, and focused on ensuring access to high quality pediatric health care for all. The mission of the Administrative Core is to coordinate the people and processes needed to establish REACH as a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, implement the Center’s plans, and ensure achievement of the Overall Specific Aims. The REACH Center Administrative Core aligns all elements for accomplishing the Overall Aims of the Center. The Administrative Core has prioritized five key functions: 1) stewardship; 2) creation of resources; 3) allocation of funds and resources; 4) production, synthesis, and utilization of research; and, 5) accountability and sustainability. These functions will be accomplished through the purposeful implementation of three Programs (Project Funding, Mentorship, and Research Management) and the coordination and integration of two REACH Center Research Cores – PROMISE (Pediatric Research Optimizing Methods in Stakeholder Engagement) and IMPACT (Intervention Methods: Provision and Connection through Technology) – with existing Delaware IDeA state network resources. With an exceptional project team and sound governance plan, the Administrative Core will: 1) create a cohesive sustainable infrastructure to expand capacity for innovative stakeholder-engaged research programs developing and evaluating technology-enabled interventions to improve child health; 2) coordinate educational and administrative resources to establish a critical mass of independent multidisciplinary investigators committed to research addressing problems in pediatric healthcare; and, 3) ensure successful day-to-day operations and long-term success of the REACH Center. The Administrative Core will provide an integrated network of core resources, project funding, a robust mentoring program, and expert research operations and administrative oversight to build biomedical research excellence in Delaware focused on expanding access to high quality pediatric health care and health for all children in Delaware with broad national implications.