2011 Annual Report - Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Wilder Research provides research, evaluation, and consulting services
to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals and families and enrich the
communities in which they live.
In FY 2011, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Paul Mattessich,
Wilder Research brought attention to key issues such as health inequities,
lack of access to quality child care among low-income populations, and the
rise in homelessness. Minnesota Compass, a quality-of-life indicators project
led by Wilder Research and supported by a collaboration of funders, was
expanded and is quickly becoming recognized as the “go-to” resource for
unbiased facts and information about trends that affect Minnesota’s
quality of life.
Over the course of the year, Wilder Research produced 257 reports and
engaged 4,301 individuals in events, trainings, and presentations. Wilder
Research also worked closely with the Wilder Foundation to evaluate
Foundation programs including Hlub Zoo, Project Kofi, Achievement Plus,
and the Child Development Center.
Hmong Mental Health: Wilder Research Proactively Assess and Identifies
Service Gaps
Despite being twice as likely to experience mental health issues, members of the Hmong
community are less likely to use mental health services. A study released last year by Wilder
Research is increasing awareness of Hmong mental health needs and helping the Wilder
Foundation and others better serve the Hmong community.
The Wilder Foundation commissioned the report, which was also supported by Ramsey County
Human Services, Children’s Mental Health. The report identified barriers to mental health services,
including providers not recognizing unique symptoms, a shortage of Hmong providers, a lack of
culturally relevant screening and assessment tools, and inadequate reimbursement for such services.
Reports of note include:
• A New Age of Immigrants: commissioned by The Minneapolis Foundation,
describes characteristics of Minnesota’s immigrant population; economic,
social, and cultural effects of immigrants; and policy considerations.
• Child Care Use in Minnesota: a report of the 2009 statewide household
child care survey, commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Human
Services, paints a detailed picture of child care choice, satisfaction, and
affordability.
• The Unequal Distribution of Health in the Twin Cities: commissioned by
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, reveals disturbing
health inequities by income, race, and neighborhood in the seven-county
Twin Cities region.
• Promise Neighborhood Community Assessment: funded by the U.S.
Department of Education, provides demographic characteristics of residents
and describes needs and assets of the Frogtown and Summit-University
neighborhoods.
• Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP): project evaluations and
surveys for SHIP grantees around the state who are working to improve
healthy behaviors.
Many of the recommendations from the study are already incorporated in Wilder’s mental health programming, including
the innovative Hlub Zoo school-based mental health program designed for elementary-age Hmong girls and boys. A forum
held last fall for school personnel, health providers, and others who work with the Hmong community increased awareness
of symptoms and culturally focused services. Ramsey County has noted the number of Hmong seeking services has risen
since the study was released.
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