Assessing Community Needs for Evidence-Based Programs

Jacob works with organizations and networks that seek to improve community health by building stronger, action-oriented strategies and partnerships. Jacob utilizes mixed-method research, partnership, coalition building, management strategies, strategic planning, and advanced tool development to help organizations identify, prioritize, and propel their strategic goals and objectives. He has developed and implemented methods and processes to review public and private grant-funded programs to confirm or redefine theories of change, improve administration and oversight, redistribute resources, and achieve greater health and economic outcomes. His work has resulted in increased organizational capacities and quantifiable improvements in organizational capabilities, higher-performing programs, and the strengthening of critical and strategic ties between organizations.

Jacob brings to the team on-the-ground public and private program management with strategic research and planning expertise. He is well-versed in conducting academic, market, and policy research, and applying the research findings to strategic design and implementation at the program, organization, and network levels. Jacob has played a central role in developing and redesigning several assessment tools in the aging and disability field, including the Aging & Disability Institute's Network Readiness Assessment Tool and CBO Readiness Assessment Tool, and ACL's Network Lead Entity Business Acumen Maturity Model.

Miranda is a mixed-methods researcher who helps health and human services organizations solve challenges, improve and expand services, and make strides towards whole-person care. She is skilled in quantitative and qualitative research methodology, program evaluation, and quality improvement. Miranda has worked on public, private, and government grant-funded projects that help improve health and well-being outcomes for older adults. Her work has helped bring evidence-based, person-centered practices and initiatives to long-term care providers across the country. Miranda has also assisted in designing, implementing, and analyzing several surveys in the aging and long-term care field. 

Jill Renken has a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion & Wellness and Master of Public Health degree.  She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist. Jill has done health education work in the university, healthcare, and worksite employee wellness setting, with most experience in community wellness programs. She currently works within Wisconsin’s Aging Network and Partner Organizations to oversee statewide implementation of Evidence-Based Healthy Aging Programs.  Over the past 15 years, Jill has provided technical assistance and training around evidence-based health promotion programs throughout the state. Currently, as the Director of Program Implementation for the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA), she works to develop and support strategic organizational partnerships that assist in expanding and sustaining the dissemination of evidence-based community health promotion programs to prevent disease, reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations and falls, and improve health and quality of life of older adults in Wisconsin and Nationwide.