Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) [Evaluation, best practices, and research to improve the VA's capacity to respond and continue care to Veterans during disasters.]Principal Investigator and Lead- * Advancing evidence-based solutions and informing policy to improve disaster response and continuity of care. * Deep expertise on Veteran homelessness. * Manage large-scale mixed methods research projects, published 25 peer-reviewed articles.* Design and provide technical assistance & training, collaborating with non-profit organizations.Key Projects and Accomplishments:*Disaster Planning Guide and Training Curriculum for VA-funded Homeless Service Providershttps://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD/VA-GPD-Organizational-Disaster-Plans-Introduction.asp *Deployed to VA Homeless Programs Office, Clinical Operations Team (June 2024)*Led Research Study- COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Veterans Experiencing Homelessness*Conducted Evaluation of VA Homeless Services Response to the 2017 Hurricane and Wildfire Season*Led Federal Interagency Task Force to Develop Toolkit: Incorporating Homeless Populations into Disaster Preparedness, Planning, and Response https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/nchav/docs/VEMEC-Disaster-Preparedness-508.pdf* Organized Workshop with HHS ASPR on Incorporating Homeless Populations in Disaster Preparedness, Planning, and Response* Secondary Quantitative Statistical Data Analysis• Studies of household preparedness in response to terrorism and VA emergency management.

Advanced community resilience for non-profit Bay Area organizations serving homeless, elderly homebound, and other at-risk populations through disaster preparedness education.• Provided technical assistance and training in emergency preparedness to initial cohort of 12 non-profit organizations, improving disaster response capacity.• Secured $300,000 grant from Walter and Elise Haas Fund to transition the program to SF CARD. • Expanded training program to encompass capacity-building in 30 large organizations serving disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.• Conducted organizational needs assessments through interviews with senior leaders.• Coordinated with San Francisco regional foundations to develop preparedness framework.• Supervised research study on emergency preparedness, continuity, and response capabilities of 93 non-profit organizations conducted by Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Completed research study examining community organizing efforts around issues of affordable housing and gentrification in two San Francisco Bay Area neighborhoods. Used GIS to create maps showing neighborhood demographic change over time.• Conducted research study examining affordable housing policies and gentrification in San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on California Housing Element and inclusionary zoning issues.• Published study results in peer-reviewed journal, including study design, qualitative data collection, and mixed methods data analysis using NVIVO and SPSS.• Conducted interviews with 38 stakeholders from 10 San Francisco Bay Area organizations. • Collected demographic data on 3 U.S. environmental justice movement communities.