This proposed supplement responds to the NIH mission of promoting diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences workforce by providing support for Ms. Robyn Powell, a second year doctoral student at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. Drs. Mitra and Parish, multiple Principal Investigators for the ongoing NICHD-funded study: Improving Pregnancy Outcomes of Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD; grant # R01HD02105) will guide, support and mentor Ms. Powell in her goal to work in academia as an independent disability researcher. Ms. Powell is a woman with a significant physical disability who worked as an attorney and policy practitioner and has an exceptionally strong understanding of disability policy. As a doctoral student, Ms. Powell now seeks to leverage her personal and professional experiences while deepening her research expertise. To effectively support and train Ms. Powell, Drs. Mitra and Parish have designed a two-year mentoring and career development plan which includes the development, execution, and dissemination of findings from an independent research project and a highly-structured career development and mentoring plan. Under the mentorship of parent grant PIs Drs. Mitra and Parish, Ms. Powell will investigate the role of family caregivers in assisting women with intellectual and developmental disabilities access perinatal care and supports and the unmet needs and barriers to health care and other supports related to pregnancy among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as perceived by family caregivers.

Public Health Relevance

To achieve the NIH mission of promoting diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences workforce, it is imperative to diversify student and researcher populations and increase the participation of underrepresented minorities. The purpose of this proposal is to mentor, guide and support Ms. Robyn Powell, is a woman with significant physical disability and a third year doctoral student at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Ms. Powell, with guidance and support from Drs. Mitra and Parish, will conduct an independent research project. She will investigate the role of family caregivers in assisting women with intellectual and developmental disabilities access perinatal care and supports and the unmet needs and barriers to health care and other supports related to pregnancy among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as perceived by family caregivers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HD082105-03S1
Application #
9374563
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1 (50)R)
Program Officer
Higgins, Rosemary
Project Start
2015-01-01
Project End
2019-12-31
Budget Start
2017-01-01
Budget End
2017-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$36,948
Indirect Cost
$14,211
Name
Brandeis University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
616845814
City
Waltham
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02453
Wu, Justine; Zhang, Jianying; Mitra, Monika et al. (2018) Provision of Moderately and Highly Effective Reversible Contraception to Insured Women With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Obstet Gynecol 132:565-574
Li, Henan; Mitra, Monika; Wu, Justine P et al. (2018) Female Sterilization and Cognitive Disability in the United States, 2011-2015. Obstet Gynecol 132:559-564
Mitra, Monika; Parish, Susan L; Akobirshoev, Ilhom et al. (2018) Postpartum Hospital Utilization among Massachusetts Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Matern Child Health J 22:1492-1501
Akobirshoev, Ilhom; Parish, Susan L; Mitra, Monika et al. (2017) Birth outcomes among US women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disabil Health J 10:406-412
Mitra, Monika (2017) Postpartum Health of Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Call to Action. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 26:303-304