Participatory evaluation of a transdisciplinary behavioral health research center

Health disparities interventions require the integration of culturally-aligned theories, concepts and methods from across multiple disciplines and socio-ecologic domains to create new models for addressing health inequities faced by vulnerable populations. The Transdisciplinary Research, Equity and Engagement Center (TREE) at the University of New Mexico expands community-based participatory research and translational team science principles to improve behavioral health equity among American Indian, Hispanic, rural, and other intersectional community partners. Consonant with this participatory emphasis, this case study summarizes the development and refinement of the Center's evaluation of its shared conceptual framework, based on understanding historic colonization as well as cultural resiliencies, for addressing behavioral health. We elaborate on the co-development of a participatory evaluation process, with transformational goals, including iterative dialogues with leadership, visioning retreats, adaptations to our logic model and refinement of survey instruments. Preliminary results are presented of our internal Center-wide evaluation survey on progress towards aims and new sub-aims as well as highlights of lessons learned on processes, innovative metrics, and equity implications for the Center and transdisciplinary research centers nationwide.