Debra Dekker Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Washington, Dc

 Provide evaluation-related technical support to NACCHO staff, including assistance in developing program logic models, performance measures, and data collection instruments and plans. Provide evaluation-related technical assistance to local health departments participating in NACCHO-sponsored activities. Conduct process and outcome evaluation for selected large scale programs at NACCHO. Collect, analyze, and summarize evaluation data across NACCHO programs. Advise NACCHO staff members on evaluation design, planning, and implementation. Assist NACCHO staff members in selecting external evaluation consultants and monitoring the quality of their work. Offer staff training on evaluation-related topics such as logic model and indicator development, analysis of evaluation data, and integration of data into planning and reporting.

Laurel, Md

• Senior Research Analyst on a project to support the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) assisting AHRQ with its strategic plan development. Conducted an environmental scan including a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis by collecting and analyzing qualitative focus group and key informant interview data. • Assisted in conducting an evaluation of AHRQ’s National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC)TM by analyzing qualitative data collected to assess the effectiveness of the NGC. • Lead evaluator on a project for AHRQ in tracking the reporting of state-wide hospital quality indicators to assist AHRQ with their GPRA measurement and reporting requirements.• On a project to support the AHRQ Performance Improvement Initiative by conducting in-depth analyses of each of AHRQ’s six research portfolios and designed an evaluation plan to evaluate the dissemination and effectiveness of products from each portfolio. • As a Senior Research Analyst/Evaluator for AFYA, develop work plans and evaluation design plans, conduct multiple forms of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and conduct program evaluation, literature reviews and writing assignments.• Principal technical writer for business proposals submitted in response to federal funding opportunities. Successful in the procurement of three IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quality) contracts for AFYA.

• Lead role in conducting health communication research and program evaluation projects in the areas of HIV/AIDS, STDs, TB, hepatitis, tobacco, drug and alcohol prevention and treatment. Specific areas included:o Statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and final report writing on 1) an intervention for substance abuse issues in Vietnam; 2) applying mobile cellular telephone technology to support directly observed therapy for tuberculosis medication monitoring in Nairobi, Kenya; and 3) educational program aimed at parents to discuss risky sexual behavior with their teenagers to prevent HIV and other STD transmission (Parents Matter!)o Evaluation support for the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.o Conducted a gap analysis of a CDC website to identify and recommend improvements to the user interface for use by CDC’s partners.o Conducted individual interviews of grantees and other key stakeholders for SAMHSA’s Access to Recovery Program to evaluate program effectiveness.• Principal lead for statistical analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data for program evaluation projects.• Prepared IRB applications for research projects appropriate for internal (Danya) and external IRB review.• Prepared OMB applications for research projects.• Oversaw day-to-day operations of various projects, including writing, research, and coordination of project team.• Managed the administrative and contracts management issues related to multiple projects; ensured that the project was in compliance with all regulations.• Assisted with identifying new funding opportunities, writing proposals, and developing partnerships with key organizations and funding agencies.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Principal investigator of a 4-year research study funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), Special Projects of National Significance, HIV Prevention in the Primary Care Setting for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, total budget of $1.2 million.• Co-principal investigator of a 5-year research study funded by HRSA/SPNS, Factors Affecting Outreach and Retention for Persons in Primary HIV Care, total budget of $2 million.• Special consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Program Evaluation and Research Branch (PERB) for the conceptual design, functional analysis, implementation and deployment of the Program Monitoring and Evaluation System (PEMS) database to gather nation-wide statistics regarding HIV Prevention programs.• Project manager and lead writer for Whitman-Walker Clinic’s 2006 application to the US Department of Health & Human Services for designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look Alike status.• Directed the creation and implementation of a clinic-wide client satisfaction survey as a part of WWC’s multi-disciplinary quality improvement initiative. • Conducted initial research, needs assessments to guide program design and implementation.• Identified outcome indicators, systems of data collection, qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis of outcome data.• Analyzed and interpreted quantitative and qualitative program results using statistical techniques and software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo).• Presented research findings locally and nationally to funders, academic researchers and stakeholders increasing WWC’s visibility as a leading HIV/AIDS clinical and behavioral research site.• Increased program effectiveness based on evaluation findings. • Managed an annual department budget of $700,000.• Supervised a staff of eight individuals.

• Identified funding opportunities consistent with WWC’s long-range plans.• Developed, wrote, and produced competitive grant proposals for WWC that accurately reflected program goals, objectives, and proposed budgets, leading to successful grants from funding agencies (CDC, SAMHSA, District of Columbia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Health, Maryland Department of Health) totaling over fifteen million dollars.• Conducted research tasks for WWC using the internet, professional journals, newsletters and other tools to identify funding sources; coordinated interdepartmental decision making processes with regard to funding opportunities.• Kept abreast of current developments in health care, specifically in the field of HIV/AIDS. • Maintained WWC’s Contracts and Grants departmental filing, and other filing as required by government agencies. Prepared required documentation in response to requests by public funding agencies and other entities.

• Scripted and conducted usability scenarios to assess computer software and Internet on-line services for users ranging six years to over fifty. • Designed and implemented research programs to study drivers' perceptions of highway hazards, specifying: problem area, objective, scope, methodology, estimated person hours, benefits and payoffs. Passed recommendations to U.S. Federal Highway Administration.• Wrote government technical proposal reviewing literature regarding driver drug involvement in vehicle crashes. Designed study approach and research methodology.• Designed and implemented data collection methods for a study of driver behavior. Instructed drivers of their role in the study. Created log books. Advised research assistants in troubleshooting problems.• Authored literature reviews assessing the "state of knowledge" for transportation problem areas. Wrote technical reports for agencies of the U.S. DOT.

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Education record