Featured Scholars : Michelle Salyers

Co-Director, ACT Center of Indiana
Associate Research Professor, Department of Psychology, IUPUI
Research Scientist, VA HSR&D Center on Implementing Evidence-based Practice, Roudebush VAMC and IU Center for Health Services & Outcomes Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
mpsalyer@iupui.edu

The ACT Center has been working since 2001 to support more than 30 teams of care providers to implement the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Illness Management and Recovery Training (IMR) models, which seek to enhance services that support people with mental illness so they can lead typical, productive lives in their own communities rather than accessing jail, homeless shelters and more costly medical care. The ACT Center staff, including researchers, clinicians, consultants, educators, consumers, and family members, in partnership with the local Adult and Child Center, provides training and support to service providers that partner with people who have mental illness.

The ACT Center recently received NIH funding to expand the research infrastructure and evaluate the processes used to implement these models of care. In 2008, the ACT Center became an IUPUI designated Signature Center to help build infrastructure for research and practice related to family involvement in treatment. Matching funds for the center are being provided by both the School of Science and the School of Social Work. The ACT Center also informs policy makers about methods for funding this kind of service that seek to help consumers utilize less costly services and lead productive lives. This translational research exemplifies taking many years of research findings and incorporating models into everyday practice that has a direct impact on people with mental illness and the communities in which they live.

Professor Salyers' work with the ACT Center is yet another way IUPUI faculty are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.