Current and Recent Programs, Projects, and Research

Current Programs, Projects, and Research Activities

• Blue Raiders Drink Up 2.0: Healthy Choices for Healthy Students – diabetes and obesity prevention for MTSU students 
• Mental Health Awareness Training
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Wilson County Planning and Implementation
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – MAT Access
• Death Scene Investigation and SIDS Project – Training First Responders and Health and Human Services Professionals
• Opioid Abatement Projects through MTSU CHHS Office of Prevention Science and Recovery – State and Locally funded opioid-focused projects: Statewide Technical Assistance and Support, Hustle Recovery Respite Housing and Infrastructure Expansion, County-level Projects

Ongoing and Self-Sustaining Programs

• A-B-C-1-2-3 Healthy Kids in Tennessee – Early Childhood Provider Training for Healthy Living
• All Children Excelling through a Comprehensive Network of Trained Providers – Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
• Ask Me
• Sleep Research Consortium:  Read MTSU News April 15, 2019 article introducing the Sleep Research Consortium and a recent release for 2021 National Sleep Week.
• S.M.A.R.T. Moms Smart Mothers are Resisting Tobacco –  Prenatal Smoking Cessation
• Smile SMART – Evidence-Based Tobacco Cessation Training for Dental Professionals
• STEMsational Ag:  The Virtual Farm

Recent Programs, Projects, and Research Activity

• All Children Excelling through a Comprehensive Network of Trained Providers – Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
• Environmental Health and Water Quality
• SPARK 2 Read – Physical Activity, Health Education and Literacy in 16 Rural Schools located in ten rural Tennessee communities
• SPARK – Pilot Project – Pilot Project SPARK – Physical Activity After-School Program in Nine Rural Schools
• Tennessee Health Promotion Network- Addressing Obesity and Healthy Lifestyles

To learn more about other projects of the MTSU Center for Health and Human Services, please  download our brochure and flier.

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Additional Details

Death Scene Investigation and SIDS Project

This initiative partners the Center, Continuing Education and Distance Learning, and Audio-Visual Services at MTSU with the state Medical Examiner and the Departments of Health and Children’s Services to produce a statewide training program for investigating sudden unexpected infant and child death. The program has been developed for those who train first responders such as EMTs, police, and firefighters. In addition, the project provides an annual SIDS Update meeting for public health staff and provides resources for medical examiners to attend a pediatric forensic conference. In 2007, the project expanded to cover all unexplained deaths to children less than 18 years of age. First responder training was expanded from 5 to 8 hours in 2008.  In 2015, online training was developed so that additional first responders could participate in training similar to those offered twice a year as live training sessions. For more information click the “Publications and Resources” tab or the training website

Ongoing and Self-Sustaining:

A-B-C-1-2-3 Healthy Kids in Tennessee®

The Center partners with local childcare centers and the Rutherford County Health Department to educate daycare/preschool providers, parents, and preschoolers on healthy lifestyles to decrease the risk of developing cancer and other lifestyle associated diseases and conditions. The program is offered simultaneously with the Tennessee Departments of Health’s Gold Sneaker Program.  ABC123 Healthy Kids in Tennessee addresses change at the individual, group, and community level with Gold Sneaker program addressing change at the organizational level through policy change.  Areas of emphasis for both programs include nutrition, active play/fitness, as tobacco.  Evaluation measures will include changes in body mass index, dietary intake, and activity level. Previous partners included MTSU’s Center for Physical Activity and Health in Youth (CPAHY) and the Tennessee Cancer Coalition.

Outcome data from the pilot project, which was a component of the Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Project, indicate:

• 100% of respondents showed an increase in awareness of the Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition post-program.
• 100% of respondents indicated an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ understanding of the “A-B-C-1-2-3 Healthy Kids in Tennessee” curriculum post-training.
• 92% of respondents indicated an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ understanding of modifiable behaviors related to cancer risk and how to avoid or mitigate them for practicing cancer prevention behaviors post-training vs. 27% of respondents who indicated ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ pre-training.
• 100% of respondents indicated ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ probability that information from the program would be used in their professional activities.

Please visit www.abc123healthykids.com to learn more.

 “Ask Me”

CHHS partnered with the Upper Cumberland Regional Health Office in Cookeville, TN to implement this evidence-based program, adapted from programs in the states of New York and Washington, to train cosmetologists to deliver health education messages to their clientele.  CHHS staff worked with the Tennessee Department of Health to develop the Tennessee-based model.