Community and Family Institute
The Community and Family Institute (CFI) in the Fulbright College of Arts and Science was created in 1997 to facilitate research on community and family issues/problems. With a specific focus on but not limited to Northwest Arkansas, CFI also engages in research relevant to all of Arkansas, national, and global issues.
The Institute recently has been involved in several Northwest Arkansas community research efforts: Point-in-Time (PIT) homeless census in Northwest Arkansas (2007-2017). This PIT served as the primary sampling frame for a comprehensive study of 168 homeless adults living in Washington and Benton Counties (2015).
In addition, CFI completed a survey of 350 middle school students in Fayetteville and 1,500 high school students attending Springdale High School (grades 10-12), looking at issues related to nutrition, food insecurity, well-being, social capital, and family dynamics. Those final reports can be found on the website; CFI continues to examine issues related to adolescent health, and well-being.
CFI conducts research in collaboration with community partners to promote a better understanding of community and family issues, with a focus on promoting social justice and equity in a diverse and multiethnic world. CFI supports community-based research partnerships on a wide range of topics including but not limited to: homelessness, health and public health, social capital, education/schools, crime and violence, family, and youth. The Institute can provide expertise and analytical support to non-profits, local governments, school districts, etc. that are interested in developing comprehensive research/evaluation programs and assessments. Whether you need to better understand a specific project outcome or goal, or design a large data collection (secondary and/or primary) to better understand who you serve, CFI can assist with all phases of program and research development.
Obesity Research
500 Cities Obesity and Place
Parent/Student Risk and Protective Factors in Understanding Early Adolescent's Body Mass Index
Circumstances, Resources, and Weight Status Outcomes Among Middle School Students
Food Insecurity Research
Poverty, Food Insecurity and Health among Youth
Adolescent Food Insecurity: the Special Case of Marshallese Youth in North-West Arkansas, USA
Food Insecurity and Social Capital Among Middle School Student
Examining Food Insecurity Among High School Student: A Risk and Resources Model
Assessing Food Insecurity During COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Research
Assessing Food Insecurity During COVID-19 Pandemic White Paper
Fear of COVID-19 and the Mental Health Consequences in America
Suicide and COVID-19
Depression and COVID-19
Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Powerpoint Presentation
Fear and Mental Health BRIDGE Conference
Mental Health in America and COVID-19
Assessing Food Insecurity among US Adults during the COVID 19 Pandemic
Homelessness in Northwest Arkansas
2007 Homeless Report
2009 Homeless Report
2011 Homeless Report
Assessing Food Insecurity in Northwest Arkansas
Washington County Assessment: How Viable Are Food Distribution Centers?
2015 Community and Family Institute Homeless Report: A Comprehensive Examination of Homelessness in Washington and Benton Counties
This report highlights the findings from the 2015 PIT Homeless Census in NWA. In addition, the report provides an overview of how the population has changed with regards to the PIT reporting since 2007. Finally, this report highlights a comprehensive random, representative survey of 168 homeless adults living in Washington and Benton Counties.
Food Insecurity
Owl Creek Study: Nutrition, Food Security, and Health Among 5th-7th Graders
Provides a comprehensive overview of a number of health-related issues facing middle school students in the Fayetteville Schools. The report highlights responses from 334 5th-7th grade students and 174 parents who responded to a parent survey.2016 Community and Family Institute Springdale Study: Examining Nutrition, Food Security, & Health Among 10-12th Grade Students
Provides a comprehensive overview of health and nutrition findings from Springdale high school students in grades 10-12. The report highlights responses from nearly 1500 students and examines their connections to their family, school, and community.Assessing Food Insecurity in Northwest Arkansas
Washington County Assessment: How Viable Are Food Distribution Centers?
Poverty
Assessing Income Eligibility by Statewide Assistance: Staying Off the Cliff's Edge, 2015
This reporthighlights the effects impacting families living in poverty across the United States. A comparison of poverty indicators and benefit classifications across the 23 states that CirclesUSA is currently working in is provided.Miscellaneous
Fayetteville High School Photo Project: Community 2014
Provides a glimpse into how young adults (junior and seniors in high school) perceive their community through the lens of a camera. As part of the Adopt-A-Classroom project at the University of Arkansas School of Education, this project looks at the comprehensive insights of 96 students on life in Northwest Arkansas.The Jones Center Assessment: Census, Visitors, and Non-Profit Partners, 2014
Includes the highlights from a recent point-in-time census of visitors, an in-depth survey of clients and their needs, and a survey of the non-profit partners at both Centers for Non-Profits in Springdale and Rogers.
Homelessness in Northwest Arkansas
New Beginnings Infographic (Fall 2021 - Spring 2022)
CFI Infographic 4 PIT 2015 General
CFI Infographic 5 PIT 2015 K-12 Students
CFI Infographic 8 PIT 2017 General Homeless Population
CFI Infographic 9 PIT 2017 Changing Homeless Population
CFI Infographic 10 PIT 2017 Veteran Homeless Population
CFI Infographic 11 PIT 2017 Substance Abusing Homeless Population
Health and Poverty
CFI Infographic 1 HOPE 2014 Overview
CFI Infographic 2 HOPE 2014 Vet
CFI Infographic 3 HOPE 2014 Health
Food Insecurity
CFI Infographic 6 Springdale High School Grades 10-12 Health
CFI Infographic 7 Springdale High School Grades 10-12 Marshallese Youth
COVID-19 Research
Food Insceurity and COVID-19 Infographic
Homelessness in Northwest Arkansas
Community Fact Sheet 2:
With and Without Their Own Place: Homelessness and Housing in Northwest ArkansasCommunity Fact Sheet 4:
Counting NWA's Homeless: Preliminary Results from the 2009 Homeless Census Link->Community Fact Sheet 5:
Putting a Face on NWA's Homeless: More Results from the 2009 Homeless Census Link->Community Fact Sheet 8:
Counting NWA's Homeless: Preliminary Results from the 2011 Homeless Census Link->Community Fact Sheet 9:
The Changing Face of NWA's Homeless: More Results from the 2011 Homeless Census Link->Community Fact Sheet 15:
Counting NWA's Homeless: Preliminary Results from the 2013 Homeless Census Link->Community Fact Sheet 16:
The Changing Face of NWA's Homeless: More Results from the 2013 Homeless Census Link->Health and Poverty
Community Fact Sheet 6:
Hope 2009: A VA Sponsored Event for Northwest Arkansas' Homeless Link->Community Fact Sheet 7:
Hope 2010: 2nd Annual Community Service-Focused Event for Northwest Arkansas Link->Community Fact Sheet 11:
Hope 2011: 3rd Annual Community Service-Focused Event for Northwest Arkansas Link->Community Fact Sheet 12:
A Health Status Report Link->Community Fact Sheet 13:
Results from Hope 2012 Link->Community Fact Sheet 14:
Hope 2012 Health Update Link->Community Fact Sheet 18:
Hope 2013: 5th Annual Community Service-Focused Event for Northwest Arkansas Link->Community Fact Sheet 19:
Hope 2013: A Health Status Report Link->Food Insecurity
Community Fact Sheet 17:
Health, Well-Being and Food Insecurity among Middle School Students Link->Miscellaneous
Community Fact Sheet 1:
The Changing Face of Northwest Arkansas Link->Community Fact Sheet 3:
Opinions Matter: What NWA Residents are Saying About Quality-of-Life Link->Community Fact Sheet 10:
Race and Ethnicity Matter: What NWA Residents are Saying About Quality of Life Link->National Alliance to End Homelessness
http://www.endhomelessness.org/
Homeless Resource Center
http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov/
American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/
The Community Indicators Consortium (CIC)
http://www.communityindicators.net/
The Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov/
National Association of Counties
http://www.naco.org/
The Saguaro Seminar: Social Capital in America website
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/saguaro/
The National Institute of Health
http://www.communityindicat
Contact
Dr. Kevin M. Fitzpatrick, CFI Director
University Professor and Jones Chair in Community
Email: kfitzpa@uark.edu
Phone: 479-575-3639
Dr. Fitzpatrick's CV
Learn more about Dr. Fitzpatrick by clicking here.