PPI research center renamed as Center for Health & Justice Research

New name announced for PPI research center

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Brad Ray

As the director for the Center for Criminal Justice Research, I am excited to announce that it is now the Center for Health & Justice Research (CHJR). The center still operates within the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI) and remains committed to conducting rigorous community-engaged research.

Make no mistake, this change in name does not mean a change in our mission. On the contrary, we hope the new name better reflects the work done at the center. While our research focus—as well as the general mission of PPI—has gone through several changes, we still conduct research within the criminal justice system and with numerous partners throughout this system. In fact, Dr. Evan Lowder, Dr. Eric Grommon, and I are working with the Indiana Office of Court Services on a National Institute of Justice-funded study of a pretrial risk assessment pilot to reduce incarceration and recidivism rates.

(more…)

SPEA’s Cali Curley weighs in on energy efficiency for homeowners

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Leslie Wells

A recent Wallethub article—”Most & Least Energy-Efficient States“—reports that Indiana ranked 30th out of 48 states when it comes to auto- and home energy consumption. As the Hoosier State falls among the least energy efficient states in the country, individuals can take steps to improve energy efficiency in their own homes. SPEA assistant professor Cali Curley says there are steps homeowners can take to help save the planet and save themselves money at the same time. Curley weighed in on three key questions during the article:

Q: What energy efficient products for the home offer the best ROI?

A: “Each home is different and faces a variety of reasons for energy loss. While statistics can speak to average estimates regarding return on investment, an in-home energy auditor could likely evaluate that on an individual basis and provide a tailored plan to bolster ROI for homeowners.”

(more…)

Managers as coaches

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Leslie Wells

For more than 25 years, Indiana University Executive Education has partnered with the Indiana Hospital Association to conduct the IHA Management Institute, specifically designed for managers in IHA-member health care organizations.

During the 6-month-long course, participants learn how to effectively communicate with and manage a diverse team made up of varying generations and work styles, and lead their employees toward excellence.

Those who successfully complete 9 of the 10 courses will qualify for the Healthcare Manager Certificate. Institute sessions include discussions on:

Management style and listening practices
Building successful teams
Managing in a changing work environment
The art of successful interviewing
Managing time and stress on the job
Building employee success
Critical human resources practices
Financial management
Conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people
Becoming a ‘star’ performer

Mary Anna Weber, president of Angotti Weber and Associates, serves as a faculty member for the Institute and leads the course on building employee success through coaching. As part of that class, Weber collaborated with Stephanie Wood, a 17-year veteran of Community Health Network who now works as an executive coach, to discuss some of the challenges managers encounter when it comes to coaching.

(more…)

Piecing together a philanthropic puzzle

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Leslie Wells

O’Neill School alumna Angela Carr Klitzsch serves as the CEO of EmployIndy.

“I try to use my skill set for the greatest public good. Wherever there are opportunities to dig in and make a difference, that’s where I end up landing,” says Angela Carr Klitzsch, MPA’06, Nonprofit Management.

Carr Klitzsch’s current landing pad is at the helm of EmployIndy.

When she took the position as president and CEO in 2016, she wanted to connect employers to those most in need of work in Indianapolis. In just two years, her efforts and those of her staff have already made a tremendous difference.

“When I stepped in the door here, we had more than a million dollars on the books that we could not spend because we couldn’t find the clientele to spend it on,” she recalls. “We have the complete opposite problem now.”

(more…)

“We need more people like Jason.”

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Jerry Baker, Jason Baker’s father, organized the Beyond the Badge 5K after his son was murdered in 2001 while working as a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy. Jerry also served on IUPD and as an O’Neill faculty member.

At just 5 years old, Jason Baker had already met his hero. Every day he watched that hero keep people safe. His hero didn’t clock out at 5 p.m., didn’t take holidays off, and didn’t hang up his cape.

His hero was his father, Jerry Baker. A former police officer at IUPUI and O’Neill IUPUI faculty member, Jerry started his law enforcement career in Albion, Michigan, eventually becoming the chief of police.

“It was a small enough community that Jason could walk down to the station after school and do his homework,” his father recalls. “Everybody knew him; everybody loved him.”

That station set the stage for Jason’s future.

(more…)