Center for Human Needs

CSSR is working with Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Human Needs (CHN) to gather data on the prevalence of hunger, homelessness, poor health, inadequate education, and poverty and to foster research on its implications. CHN will issue reports to the public to monitor trends in societal distress and promote scholarship on human needs. For more information contact Emily Zimmerman.

Understanding Teen Drinking Cultures in America

An interdisciplinary initiative to gain a broad-based and deeper understanding of teen drinking cultures. With a focus on high school and middle school aged youth, this research focuses on the cultural systems that affect youths as they make decisions and engage in alcohol-related behaviors. For more information contact David Anderson or Hugh Gusterson.

Project RETAINS

CSSR is working with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International's Project RETAINS (Responsive Efforts to Address Integral Needs in Staffing) to address the staffing crisis in the public safety communications industry. In 2000, APCO International began a study to address issues related to the existing crisis in recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified personnel to staff 9-1-1- calltaker and public safety dispatcher positions. The study identified causes for the recruitment and retention issues, developed an “Effective Practices” document and created the Project RETAINS “toolkit” to assist communication centers in addressing the challenges associated with hiring and retaining qualified personnel. CSSR will is conducting a follow-up study that will help guide the development of the next generation of Project RETAINS.