RESEARCH

The principals of Covian Consulting have presented research conducted with community partners at following conferences:

PUBLICATIONS

2016

  • Concha, M., Villar, M. E., Tafur-Salgado, R., Ibanez, S., & Azevedo, L. (2016). Fatherhood Education From a Cultural Perspective: Evolving Roles and Identities After a Fatherhood Intervention for Latinos in South Florida. Journal of Latinos and Education. Volume 15, 2016 – Issue 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2015.1099532

2015

  • Concha, M. et al (2015). Fatherhood from a Cultural Perspective: Evolving Roles and Identities after a Fatherhood Intervention for Latinos in South Florida. Submitted to Journal of Latinos and Education (In press)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2007

  • Concha, M et al (2007).Establishing Best Practices: Assessment of Communication and Participation within a Community Partnership to Support Community Health Workers in The Communication Initiative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Bank. World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way Forward. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. http://www.fao.org/nr/com/abst/com_071001_en.htm

2005

  • Wang, C., Villar, M.E., Mulligan, D.A., & Hansen, T. (2005) Cost and Utilization Analysis of A Pediatric Emergency Department Diversion Project, PEDIATRICS, 116: 1075 – 1079.

2003

  • Schaechter, J., Duran, I., De Marchena, J. Lemard, G., & Villar, M.E. (2003) Are “Accidental” Gun Deaths as Rare as They Seem? A Comparison of Medical Examiner Manner of Death Coding with an Intent Based Classification. PEDIATRICS, 111 (4): 741-744 http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/111/4/741.short

CONFERENCES

INTERNATIONAL

  • RELAC CONFERENCE, GUANAJUANTO, MEXICO
    Concha, M. & Asmar, L. Culturally informed participatory evaluation
    (December 2017)

  • LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS
    (Miami, FL, 2000; San Juan, Puerto Rico 2006; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2009)

  • WORLD CONGRESS ON COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 
    (Rome, Italy, 2006)
  • INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION 
    (Dresden, Germany, 2006)
  • INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS RESEARCH CONFERENCE
    (Miami, FL, USA, 2005-2007)
  • WORLD CONFERENCE ON INJURY PREVENTION & SAFETY PROMOTION 
    (Montreal, Canada 2002 and Vienna, Austria 2004)

NATIONAL

  • AEA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
    Concha, M., M & E in the context of victims of human trafficking in South Florida
    (November 2018)

  • ARNOVA CONFERENCE
    Concha, M. Culturally informed participatory evaluation.
    (November 2017)

  • DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES- ANNUAL -MEETINGS OF HEALTHY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD GRANTEES
    (Washington, DC 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011)
  • ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH ON NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTARY ACTION
    (Washington DC, 2010)
  • THE FLORIDA EDUCATION FUND
    (Tampa, 2010)
  • ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION IN JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION 
    (Chicago, IL 2008; Boston, MA 2009)
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE 
    (Miami, FL 2009)
  • GLOBAL HEALTH AND INNOVATION SUMMIT AT YALE UNIVERSITY 
    (New Haven, CT 2009)
  • FIFTH ANNUAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH CONFERENCE, AT UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
    (Orlando, FL 2008)
  • SECOND ANNUAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE AT UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 
    (Orlando, Fl 2008)
  • AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING 
    (Boston, MA, 2000; Washington DC, 2007)
  • 2OTH ANNUAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE: A SYSTEM OF CARE 
    (Tampa, FL 2007)
  • NATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE 
    (Chicago, IL 2004; Boston, MA 2005)
  • INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLOQUIUM ON HISPANIC/LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURES, LINGUISTICS AND CULTURES 
    (Gainesville, FL 2005)
  • INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STALKING CONFERENCE
    (San Diego, CA 2005 and 2007)
  • KENTUCKY CONFERENCE ON HEALTH COMMUNICATION 
    (Lexinton, KY, 2006)
  • BUILDING BRIDGES CONFERENCE SERIES BY AAHP/HIAA, AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY AND CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION 
    (Miami, FL, 2004)
  • COMMUNITY-CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTH (CCPH) ANNUAL CONFERENCE 
    (Miami, FL, 2002)
  • SAFEUSA: LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INJURY IN AMERICA 
    (Atlanta, GA 2001)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

PROCEEDINGS

  • Concha, M., Villar, M.E., Duresky, D., & Diaz, M. (2007). An applied cultural competence assessment in a system of care. In 20th Annual Conference Proceedings – A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Chapter 2: Implementing and Evaluating Evidence-based Practices.
  • Concha, M et al (2007).Establishing Best Practices: Assessment of Communication and Participation within a Community Partnership to Support Community Health Workers in The Communication Initiative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Bank. World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way Forward. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data.
  • Villar M.E. (2006). Diffusing Messages of Justice and Prosperity in a Culturally and Politically Diverse Community: Imagine Miami Case Study. Proceedings of the 9th International Public Relations Conference (www.instituteforpr.com) Gainesville, FL: Institute for Public Relations.
  • Villar M.E. & Doldren, M. (2005) Using Public Relations to improve social service programs. Proceedings of the 89th International Public Relations Conference (www.instituteforpr.com) Gainesville, FL: Institute for Public Relations.

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

  • Concha, M., Villar, M., & Azevedo, L. (2015). The Role of Cultural Competence in the Evaluation of Social Service Programs and Achieving Social Change in Wallace, J. Social Change: Perspectives, Challenges and Implications for the Future. Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge NY (ISBN: 978-1-63483-658-6)
  • Villar, M.E., & Farber, L. (in press). The Role of Mass Media on Infectious Disease Perceptions and Policies. In S. Porcelain (Ed.), US Foreign Policy and Global Public Health: The Nexus of Infectious Disease.
  • Villar, M.E., Orrego-Dunleavy, V., & Farr, J. (2009) Communication Factors in Batterer Intervention Programs: Creating and Measuring Attitude Change. Book chapter in Cahn (Ed.) Family Violence from a Communication Perspective. 2nd Edition. New Paltz: SUNY Press

SELECTED CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS

ORAL & POSTER PRESENTATIONS

2016

  • Concha, M. & Azevedo, L. Culturally informed participatory evaluation. Presented at the American Evaluation Association in October 2016.

2013

  • Sanchez, M., Dillon, F., Concha, M., De La Rosa. The impact of religious coping on the acculturative stress and alcohol use of recent Latino immigrants. Presented at American Public Health Association in November, 2013.

2011

  • Concha, M. & Salgado Tafur. Cultural Factors of Latino Fathers and their Influence on How Information is Disseminated. Annual Meeting of Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Grantees, May 4th, 2011.
  • HIV-AIDS prevention among Latino behavioral health clients: Beyond the Comadres-Compadres Model presented at the C-SALUD Bi-annual conference, Substance Abuse & HIV/AIDS in Latinos: Linking Research with the Community, April 27, 2011, North Miami, FL.
  • Engaging LGBTQ youth in Behavioral Health Services presented by Maria Elena Villar at Reaching Out conference, Miami Dade College, April 6, 2011.

2010

  • Concha, M. Understanding Collaboration, its Antecedents and Perceived Outcomes in Service Partnerships of Community Based Organizations. Presented at the ARNOVA Conference, Washington DC, November 18- 20, 2010
  • Concha, M. Situational Factors that Contribute to Collaboration and Perceived Effectiveness in Service Partnerships. Presented at the F.E.F. Research and Writing Conference, Tampa, Florida February 26th-27, 2010
  • Comparing Frequency of Online News Coverage, Worldwide Mortality and Perceived Risk of Leading Diseases and Injuries: Challenging Paradigms in the New Media Landscape presented by Maria Elena Villar at the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media, August 17-19, 2010, Atlanta, GA.
  • TV and Internet Usage Among African-Americans and Their Effects on Material Values and Socialization Processes. presented by David J. Park, Maria Elena Villar, & Jorge Amador to the Communication and Technology Division for the 2010 annual conference of the International Communication Association, June 22-26, 2010, Singapore.

2009

  • Concha, M and Tafur, R. Results and Impact of a Culturally Appropriate Evaluation for Hispanics and Haitians’ Fatherhood Participants. Presented at the Office of Family Assistance Annual Meeting of Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Grantees, August 11th to August 13th, 2009
  • Concha, M and Villar M. Cultural Needs and Attitudes of Diverse U.S. Latino Populations on Two Health Issues: Implications in Mass Media and Public Policy. Presented at LASA 2009 Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 11th 2009.
  • Campbell, K, Concha, M, Allaf, Bakiev, E, Karaca, H, Uryan, Y, Sahin, I, Sayed Ahmed, T. Ethical Perspective and Dilemmas in Public Administration. Presented at the American Association for Public Administration, Miami, Fl March 21st, 2009.
  • Villar ME, Lemard G, Concha M, Arroyave J. Health and Development Communication: Integrating new technologies and interpersonal encounters to address health issues in communities. Presented at Global Health and Innovation Summit at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, on April 18, 2009.
  • Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs about Drug Use and HIV among Latino Behavioral Health Clients in Miami. Rhonda Bohs, Ph.D., Emy Lou Pesantes, M.S.W., and Maria Elena Villar, Ph.D., Presented at the Ninth Annual Conference of the National Hispanic Science Network On Drug Abuse, Miami, FL, October 30, 2009.

2008

  • Concha, M, Villar ME, Meemon, N. ,Assessing Community Needs for the Development of a Clearinghouse Center for Community Health Workers. Presented at the Fifth Annual Health and Public Affairs Research Conference, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, October 23rd, 2008. Selected as best poster at the Conference
  • Concha, M and Villar M. The Importance of Cultural Competence in Assessing Community Based Programs: A Case Study of Enfamilia’s Fatherhood Program. Presented at the Fifth Annual Health and Public Affairs Research Conference, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, October 23rd, 2008
  • Concha, M and Villar M. How does social capital takes place? The Case of Miami’s Community Health Workers Partnership. Presented at the Second Annual Public Administration Conference at University of Central Florida. Orlando, Fl, March 28th, 2008

2007

  • Participatory Communication, community health and social change – The story of a community health workers initiative in Miami. Presented at the American Public Health Association 135th Annual Meeting, November 5, 2007, Washington, DC.
  • Evaluating Stakeholder Inclusion and Participation in a Community Health Partnershippresented by Maria Elena Villar & Maritza Concha at the 10th International Public Relations Conference, March 8-11, 2007, Miami, FL.

  • Concha, M & Villar. Evaluation of a county-wide initiative to empower community health workers. M. Presented at the American Public Health Association 135th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, November 3rd to 7th, 2007

  • Concha, M, Villar, M, Duresky, D & Diaz, M. An Applied Cultural Competence Assessment in a System of Care: Hearing the Voices of Frontline Staff. Presented at the 20th Annual Research Conference–A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base Tampa Marriott Waterside, Tampa, Florida March 2007

2006

  • A Frame for Health: A Comparison of English and Spanish News Stories and Ads. Yvette Bueno & Maria Elena Villar. International Communication Association, June 19-23, 2006. Dresden, Germany.
  • Communication Factors in Batterer Intervention Programs: Creating and measuring Attitude Change presented at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication. April 20, 2006, Lexinton, KY.
  • Health… Salud… Does Language make a Difference? Yvette Bueno and Maria Elena Villar. Latin American Studies Association Annual Conference. March 15-18, 2006. San Juan, PR.

  • Concha, M, Villar, M, Aboitiz, M, Porcelain, S. Establishing Best Practices: Assessment of Communication and Participation within a Community Partnership to Support Community Health Workers. Presented at the World Congress on Communication for Development, Italy, October 25-27, 2006.

2005

  • Measuring Attitudes that Contribute to Intimate Partner Violence: Rationale for the Development of an Attitudinal Scale for Men in Batterer Intervention Programs. Maria Elena Villar. Presented at the National Communication Association Annual (NCA) Conference, November 18, 2005. Boston, MA.

2004

  • Attitudes Towards Rape and Sexual Assault in an Adult Farmworker Population: Impact of Acculturation. Villar, M.E., presented as part of Seminar in Interdisciplinary Communication Scholarship in HIV, STDs and Sexual Behavior, National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Chicago, IL, November 10, 2004.
  • Cultural Competence In Voluntary Groups For Men And Women At Risk For Violence In Their Intimate Relationships. Presented by Maria Elena Villar, Sherri Aaron, Pablo Lorenzo & Maritza COncha at the 7th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in Vienna, Austria, June 6th-9th, 2004.
  • Multiple Approach Training Model for First Responders in Suicide Prevention. Deborah Mulligan-Smith, MD, Toran Hansen, MS, Maria Elena Villar, MPH, Maritza Concha, MA, Cheng Wang, MS. Presented at the Building Bridges Conference by AAHP/HIAA, Agency for Health Care Research and Quality and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Miami, FL. April 1-2, 2004.

  • Villar, M, Aaron S, Lorenzo P, and Concha, M. Using Mixed-Method Evaluation to Respond to Underutilization of a Community-Based Domestic Violence Intervention Program for African American Women,. Presented at the 7th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in Vienna, Austria, June 06-09, 2004.

2003

  • Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: Within the Scope of Pediatricians Practice, Deborah Mulligan Smith, G. Costa, Maria Elena Villar. Presented at American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November 2003.
  • Evolution of a Coalition: Stages of Development of Coalition NOT ONE MORE, Maria Elena Villar, Pauline Anderson, Gayane Stepanian, Judy Schaechter, at Safety in Numbers: Working Together from Research to Practice, National Injury Prevention Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 2003.

2002

  • Shifting paradigms in evaluating domestic violence interventions. Villar ME, Aaron S, Torres S, presented at 6th World Conference on Injury Prevention & Control, Montreal, Canada, May 2002.
  • The PARTNERSHIP for the Study and Prevention of Violence: bridging research, education and community involvement. presented by Maria Elena Villar at Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH) Annual Conference, Miami, FL May 2002.

2001

  • Gun Buy-backs/Gunlock Giveaways, J. Schaechter, M.E. Villar, E. Erdman E, S.P. Torres . American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting, Atlanta, GA October, 2001.
  • Youth gun death in Miami-Dade County before and after the Florida CAP law, Judy Schaechter and Maria Elena Villar, presented at SafeUSA: Leadership Conference to Reduce Violence and Injury in America, Atlanta, GA, December 2001.

2000

  • Developing Health Education Interventions for Children after Disasters: Case study of Hurricane Mitch in Central America. Villar ME, Castillo C. Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Conference, Miami, FL, March 18, 2000.
  • Partnerships in disaster recovery: Case study of Honduras Sherri L. Porcelain, Jose Marie Dubon, Maria Elena Villar, Ada Rivera, Carlos J. Castillo, Joe DiCarlo, Arba Ager, Terri L. Meinking, Susana Venegas, APHA Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 12-16, 2000.

1999

  • The Role of Culture in Attitudes towards Rape and Sexual Assault and the implications for research and intervention design: a Study of Farmworker Women. Villar ME, Neunzig M., presented at Eastern Migrant Stream Forum Annual Conference, Miami, FL, November 19, 1999.

1997

  • Attitudes and Beliefs towards Domestic Violence in a Tri-ethnic Community: Results of Focus Groups with South Dade Farmworkers presented by Maria Elena Villar at Building Community Coalitions Against Domestic Violence conference in Florida City, FL, August 17, 1997.