From Our Faculty Fellows https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/from-our-faculty-fellows From Our Faculty Fellows en-US Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:10:56 GMT Post-Disaster Reconstruction https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/post-disaster-reconstruction Deciding Infrastructure Reconstruction Priorities After Disasters: A Literature Review Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:10:56 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/post-disaster-reconstruction
Post-Disaster Reconstruction

Post-Disaster Reconstruction

Harm from Disaster,Social Issue Research,From Our Faculty Fellows

Deciding Infrastructure Reconstruction Priorities After Disasters: A Literature Review

This article explores how communities and governments prioritize infrastructure reconstruction after disasters when resources are limited and decisions must be made quickly. Through a review of existing research, the authors examine the complex, interconnected nature of infrastructure recovery and highlight the need for more effective, interdisciplinary decision-making models to support resilient disaster reconstruction.

Key Takeaways:

Disaster reconstruction requires difficult prioritization decisions because resources, funding, and time are limited Infrastructure systems are interconnected, meaning recovery decisions in one area can affect many others Researchers have developed numerous models and frameworks to help guide reconstruction prioritization after disasters There may be a gap between academic research and real-world disaster response practices Effective reconstruction depends on interdisciplinary and macro-level decision-making rather than focusing on individual systems in isolation Improving reconstruction strategies could help communities recover more efficiently and resiliently after disasters

This article was authored by Lila Madariaga, Clifton B. Farnsworth, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Andrew South, Ph.D., M.ASCE, Keona Wu.

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]]> Homelessness Exit Strategies https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/homelessness-exit-strategies Homelessness and the High Performance Cycle: A New Lens for Studying Exit Strategies Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:57:26 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/homelessness-exit-strategies
Homelessness Exit Strategies

Homelessness Exit Strategies

Homelessness,From Our Faculty Fellows,Social Issue Research

Homelessness and the High Performance Cycle: A New Lens for Studying Exit Strategies

This research explores how goal setting and motivation influences efforts to exit homelessness. Drawing on interviews with individuals experiencing homelessness in the Intermountain West, the study examines how concepts from organizational behavior and workplace motivation can help explain successful transitions out of homelessness.

The article highlights the importance of clear goals, persistence, and supportive systems in achieving long-term housing stability and suggests that social service professionals may benefit from incorporating structure goal-setting strategies into their work with unhoused populations.

Key Takeaways:

Goal setting can play an important role in helping individuals successfully exit homelessness The study applies concepts from workplace motivation and organizational behavior research to homelessness services Researchers found that people who successfully exited homelessness often demonstrated patterns connected to the "high performance cycle," including clear goals, motivation, persistence, and support systems Personal agency and structured goal-setting processes may help individuals navigate barriers related to housing and employment Social service professionals may improve outcomes by incorporating intentional goal-setting strategies into their work with unhoused populations The study highlights the value of combining insights from multiple disciplines to better support long-term stability and recovery

This article was authored by Erik Lovell, Brent Hutchison, Ke'ala Cabulagan, John McMullin, Curtis Child.

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]]> Nutrition for Unhoused https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/nutrition-for-unhoused Formative Qualitative Research Informs Tailoring SNAP-Ed Curriculum for Transitional Housing Residents Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:49:18 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/nutrition-for-unhoused
Nutrition for Unhoused

Nutrition for Unhoused

Hunger,Homelessness,Social Issue Research,From Our Faculty Fellows

Formative Qualitative Research Informs Tailoring SNAP-Ed Curriculum for Transitional Housing Residents

This research examines how nutrition and wellness education can be adapted to better support individuals living in transitional housing. Through interviews with shelter residents and staff, researchers identified barriers related to healthy eating, physical activity, and food access, then modified the SNAP-ed "Create Better Health" curriculum to better reflect residents' daily realities.

The study highlights the importance of community-informed programming, practical health strategies, and strengths-based approaches in supporting long-term wellness and stability for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

Key Takeaways:

Nutrition and wellness programs are more effective when they are adapted to the real-life circumstances of people transitioning out of homelessness Residents in transitional housing often face barriers such as limited cooking equipment, restricted food storage, inconsistent schedules, physical limitations, and limited access to affordable healthy food Researchers modified the SNAP-Ed "Create Better Health" curriculum to better fit residents' needs by: Adding microwave friendly recipes Incorporating strategies for healthy eating at convenience and dollar stores Adapting physical activities recommendations for injuries and disabilities Focusing on realistic, achievable health goals Collaboration between researchers, shelter staff, and residents was essential in designing relevant and practical programming Empowering, strengths-based education approaches may help residents build confidence and develop sustainable healthy habits Existing SNAP-Ed and Cooperative Extension networks could make these types of interventions scalable across communities

This article was authored by Kristi Strongo MPH, CHES, Casey Coombs MS, RDN, James D. LeCheminant PhD, Cathy Merrill MS, Cindy Jenkins MPA, Heidi LeBlanc MS, Michael W. Smith MS, Megan Bell BS, Brynne Karlinsey Skidmore BS, Rickelle Richards PhD, MPH, RDN.

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]]> Disaster Training https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/disaster-training Matthew Anderson, PhD | DNP, APRN, FNP-C Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:55:45 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/disaster-training

Disaster Training

Harm from Disaster,Social Issue Research,From Our Faculty Fellows

Key Findings Disaster training is considered a standard of nursing practice. Most nurses lack sufficient training in disaster nursing. Simulation is an effective means in preparing. Simulation-based mass casualty training strengthens disaster readiness by increasing nursing students confidence, role clarity, leadership identity, and interprofessional collaboration skills. Trust and psychological safety are foundational to disaster nursing competence. Mixed-methods findings demonstrate that structured simulation and guided reflection build trust in self, team, and systems which are critical for effective disaster response. Triage decision-making involves significant ethical and emotional complexity. Students report moral distress, role tension, and ethical ambiguity during simulated mass casualty incidents, highlighting the need for intentional ethics integration in preparedness education. Interdisciplinary simulations enhance communication, situational awareness, and real-world coordination skills more effectively than discipline-specific training. Leadership development during disaster simulation shapes professional identity formation, reinforcing preparedness as a core nursing role rather than an optional skill set. Family-focused disaster education strengthens community resilience, emphasizing preparedness as both a clinical and public health responsibility.Recommendations Integrate high-fidelity, interdisciplinary mass casualty simulations into undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula to build disaster competency early and systematically. Embed structured ethical debriefing frameworks within disaster training to address moral distress and improve triage decision-making confidence. Incorporate leadership role assignments during simulation to foster role identity development and enhance command confidence in emerging nurses. Design disaster curricula that explicitly address trust-building, psychological safety, and interprofessional collaboration. Expand simulation partnerships between academic institutions and emergency services to better mirror real-world disaster systems. Develop family- and community-focused preparedness modules to extend disaster mitigation efforts beyond acute care settings. Download the Infographic

Publications:

Drake, J., Watson, A. L., Anderson, M., & Heaston, S. (2025). Building Trust and Confidence in Disaster Nursing: A MixedMethods Critical Inquiry. Nursing Inquiry, 32(4), e70060. https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.70060

Watson, A. L., Anderson, M., Drake, J., Heaston, S., *Schmutz, P., *Rasmussen, R., & *Reed, C. (2025). Nursing and emergency medical technician students perspectives on mass casualty simulation training: A phenomenological study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 27(2), e70104. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.70104

Anderson, M., *Reed, C., Watson, A., Drake, J., Heaston, S., *Schmutz, P., & *Rasmussen, R. (2025). Lived experience of student responders with leadership in a mass casualty simulation. Journal of Professional Nursing, 58, 8392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2025.03.005

Watson, A.L., Drake, J., Anderson, M., Heaston, S., *Schmutz, P., *Reed, C., & *Rasmussen, R. (2024). Triage ethics in mass casualty incident simulation: A phenomenological exploration. Nursing Ethics. Nursing Ethics, 32(4), 1313-1236. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330241299526

Presentations:

Watson, A., Drake, J., Anderson, M., Heaston, S., Hartle, C, & Preece, L. (2025, July 17-20). Global Nursing Education Through Simulation Technology: Enhancing Mass Casualty Training [Conference Podium Presentation]. 36th International Nursing Research Congress: A Sigma Event. Seattle, WA, USA.

Anderson, M., *Schmutz, P., *Hartle, C., Watson, A., Heaston, S., Drake, J. (2025, June 19-22). Empowering Future Nurses: Elevating Disaster Response Skills and Role Identity

through an Interdisciplinary Mass Casualty Simulation with a Simulated Emergency Room [Conference Podium Presentation]. International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Annual Conference 2025. Denver, CO, USA.

Anderson, M., Heaston, S., Watson, A., Drake, J., *Nelson, M., & *Preece, L. (2025, June 17-20). Teaching Disaster Preparedness to Strengthen Families in Challenging Times [Conference Podium Presentation]. 17th International Family Nursing Conference. Perth, Australia.

Anderson, M., *Reed, C., Watson, A., Drake, J., Heaston, S., *Schmutz, P., *Rasmussen, R. (2024, June 12-15). Coordinating A Campus Mass Casualty Simulation [Online Recorded Presentation]. International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning Annual Conference Virtual Extension.

]]> Global Water Intelligence Can Empower Decision-Makers to Solve Local Water Challenges https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/global-water-intelligence-can-empower-decision-makers-to-solve-local-water-challenges Jim Nelson, PhD | Global Water Intelligence Can Empower Decision-Makers to Solve Local Water Challenges Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:39:47 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/global-water-intelligence-can-empower-decision-makers-to-solve-local-water-challenges
Global Water Intelligence

Global Water Intelligence Can Empower Decision-Makers to Solve Local Water Challenges

Harm from Disaster,Social Issue Research,From Our Faculty Fellows

Key Findings The capacity to produce reliable hydrologic information and forecasts remains limited in many regions. Low investment, aging infrastructure, and limited technical staffing constrain national water services. Traditional forecasting systems are expensive and difficult to sustain. Building local models requires data collection, computing power, and specialized expertise that is often beyond available resources. Cloud-based global forecasting has removed the computational barrier. GEOGLOWS provides open and reliable access to decades of historical information and daily forecasts for millions of rivers worldwide. Water intelligence becomes actionable only when localized and trusted. Global models paired with local data as with GEOGLOWS can be embedded into national decision workflows. Reliable hydrologic systems generate high social returns. Modern forecasting reduces disaster losses, strengthens resilience, and supports water allocation, agriculture, and climate adaptation.Recommendations To effectively address local water challenges, global water intelligence must be adopted into operations, localized with trusted data, and delivered through last-mile pathways that individuals and organizations can use.Policy Areas Institutional Adoption: Embed global forecasts into official national systems, bulletins, and early warning protocols. Localization & Validation: Integrate in-situ observations, bias correction, and local calibration to build trust. Open Standards & Interoperability: Ensure forecasts are accessible, shareable, and integrated across platforms. Sustainable Operations: Transition from research initiatives to enduring nonprofit governance and diversified funding. Last-Mile Impact: Connect global data to community decision-makers and measure measurable outcomes.

See the citations page for this research here.

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]]> Child Food Insecurity https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/resources-section/hunger-research-graphic-2026 Lori Spruance, PhD | Child Food Insecurity Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:05:34 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/resources-section/hunger-research-graphic-2026
Child Food Insecurity

Child Food Insecurity

Hunger,Social Issue Research,From Our Faculty Fellows

Key Findings School meals are one of the most effective population-level tools to reduce child food insecurity. For many students, school breakfast and lunch provide the most reliable source of daily nutrition, particularly during periods of economic instability. Access matters as much as eligibility. Policies that expand when, where, and how meals are servedsuch as universal free meals and alternative breakfast modelssubstantially increase participation and reduce stigma Universal and low-barrier meal models are associated with improved equity. Removing application requirements and cost-sharing reduces disparities in participation by income, race/ethnicity, and geography. Operational flexibility improves implementation. Schools given flexibility in meal timing, service models, and staffing are better able to meet student needs while maintaining program sustainability. Food insecurity is shaped by the broader school food environment. Policies related to open/closed campus, competitive foods, and meal reimbursement rules directly influence students access to nutritious meals during the school day.Recommendations To effectively prevent child food insecurity, school meal programs must be supported by policies that prioritize access, reduce administrative burden, and align program design with students lived realitiesnot just eligibility thresholds.

See the citations page for this research here.

Download the Infographic
]]> Family History Employment for the Unhoused https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/resources-section/homelessness-research-graphic-2026 Joe Price, PhD | Family History Employment for the Unhoused Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:44:25 GMT https://ballardcenter.byu.edu/resources-section/homelessness-research-graphic-2026
Employment for the Unhoused

Family History Employment for the Unhoused

Homelessness,From Our Faculty Fellows,Social Issue Research

The Problem Unhoused people do not have equal access to employment due to various social, economic, and personal factors Lack of employment causes financial instability which causes poor quality of life Unhoused people have fewer social connections than the general populationWhy It Matters Employment contributes to stability and helps people exit homelessness Ability to financially sustain ones self Opportunity to learn new skills and make social connections Greater capacity to find stability in other aspects of life What Works Access to low-barrier work opportunities Accessible training modules and tasks that can be done from a cellphone or public computer Purpose-driven workWhat Now Offer family history work to unhoused individuals Connect unhoused people with employment and family members Provide training and support to sustain long term growth

See the citations page for this research here.

Download the Infographic
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