AMES Outreach Core
The AMES Outreach Core serves as a connection between the AMES Research Center and
the community. They perform services to ensure that the research performed by AMES
is reaching the military, veteran, and emergency services community, the academic
community, the practitioner community, and the Georgia community in a meaningful way.
Their services include:
- Assisting in the translation of research to practice, which promotes the practical
utility of academic research.
- Planning, implementing, and/or evaluating outreach events.
- Promoting organizational learning and development related to mental and occupational
health.
Outreach Core Personnel
Dr. Kristin Horan
Director of Community Engagement and Outreach
Dr. Kristin Horan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science
at Kennesaw State University. She has a background in Industrial Organizational Psychology
and performs research on interventions to improve safety, health, and well-being,
particularly for first responders. She coordinates outreach and community engagement
efforts for the AMES Research Center.
Eldie Torres Vazquez
Program Coordinator
Eldie Torres Vazquez is a Program Coordinator for the AMES Research Center. She has
experience performing administrative and reporting duties for grant-funded work. In
her role at AMES, she assists in the coordination of outreach activities and research
activities. As a family member of service members and veterans, she identifies with
the mission of AMES and appreciates the opportunity to help communities and families.
Recent Work, Upcoming, or Ongoing Work by the Outreach Core
The faculty and staff of the AMES Research Center recently performed outreach and
engagement through community service. They assisted with delivering donations of toiletries
to five local abuse and homeless shelters. Among this donation was 30,000 rolls of
toilet paper! We are grateful to all parties who assisted with the organization of
this donation, especially the American Legion and North Cobb Rotary.
The AMES Outreach Core offered technical assistance in the planning and implementation
of a community outreach event that provided counseling for disability claims. Working
with multiple organizations who assist veterans, the AMES Outreach Core gave support
to implement an event that assisted veterans in enrolling in expanded benefits according
to the PACT Act. The event was held on April 4, 2023, and served dozens of individuals
in the veteran community in the Northwest Metro Atlanta area. The AMES Outreach Core
was excited to contribute to this event!
AMES in Action
AMES in Action is a blog that focuses on translating the research performed by the
Center for Advancement of Military and Emergency Services (AMES) Research into actionable
information for workers and workplaces. Scientific research can be too long, too theoretical,
or obscured behind a paywall. This makes it difficult for workers and workplaces to
take advantage of the information. AMES in Action addresses these issues by putting
short, actionable pieces of scientific knowledge related to occupational and organizational
health, particularly for military, veteran, and emergency services groups, directly
in your hands!
Let’s Connect!
Let’s Connect is a two-day summit that aims to increase connection among the members
of the Georgia Suicide Prevention Task Force. This event will focus on helping members
of the Georgia Suicide Prevention Task Force promote health and prevent suicide among
Georgia’s service members, veterans, and their families.
