SYNCH Collective: SYstems of Native Community Health
SYstems of Native Community Health (SYNCH) works together with community members at all levels to empower community health and well-being for Rapid City residents. Currently, SYNCH Collective focuses on intimate partner violence, alcohol and substance misuse, and alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Our passion and dedication to these topics come from a personal, as well as professional, place.
SYNCH brings people together to not only talk about the challenges our communities face, but our strengths and resiliency as well. We bring the elements of systems science to the challenges we face.
Why We Need You
Our research isn’t done by scientists in a lab. The community is a vital part of our research process; each one unique in terms of its history, relationships, resources and obstacles. Together, we brainstorm ideas for solutions along with ways to put those ideas into action.
To achieve this, we bring together diverse voices, experiences and perspectives to find ways to make families and communities healthier. Knowing that each community and family is distinctive in their needs, we seek real solutions that improve current programs or recommend new tailored resources.
Your voice matters because you are a member of the community. Your information is important to getting a true picture of the issues and together finding meaningful community-built solutions.
Research Conversation
You can help by participating in research conversations. Your participation will help your community respond to intimate-partner violence, meaning violence between romantic or sexual partners; alcohol and drug misuse; and substance-exposed pregnancy.
Eligibility:
- You live in Rapid City or Pine Ridge Reservation
- You’re at least 18 years old
- You have personal or professional experience with family violence, substance/alcohol misuse, or substance/alcohol exposed pregnancy
About the Incentive & Commitment:
You can receive either $50 for a 1.5 -hour conversation or $200 for two three-hour conversations spaced two weeks apart.
For the safety of the community these conversations are currently being held remotely.
Online Survey
You can help by completing two surveys. Your participation will help your community respond to intimate-partner violence, meaning violence between romantic or sexual partners; alcohol and drug misuse; and substance-exposed pregnancy.
Eligibility:
- You live in Rapid City or Pine Ridge Reservation
- You’re at least 18 years old
- You have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant within the last five years
About the Incentive & Commitment:
You can receive $35 for each survey. There will be two surveys in total, taken no more than two years apart. Each survey will take about 45-50 minutes to complete.