NCAAC’s historical achievements are numerous. Our history reflects an array of programs, projects, activities, and publications that involved cross sector participation in national initiatives. Action oriented programming included awareness campaigns, community health programming, policy analyses and development, publications, evaluations, needs assessments, and networking. These types of activities are fundamental to our strategic direction and serve as a critical foundation for our work. It is the combination of these elements that continue to support our vision for achieving a collective impact on the health and human service needs of individuals and families in African American and other communities of color.

 

In 1995, the University of the District of Columbia Family Life Center was created as part of a national violence and substance abuse prevention initiative involving nineteen Historically Black Colleges and Universities funded by the Office of Minority Health. NCAAC served as the organizational unit for the UDC Family Life Center. Specialized programming included community policing, therapeutic family counseling and retreats, school-based counseling, academic enrichment, and recreational activities provided to inner city youth and families living in public and assisted housing.

 

In 1999, NCAAC became a key stakeholder in a US Housing and Urban Development Hope VI initiative in Southeast Washington, DC. Job readiness skills training, homeownership seminars and support activities evolved as part of a broad-based community and economic development initiative.

 

In response to the crisis of September 11th 2001, NCAAC established a collaborative partnership with the National Black Media Coalition, the National Medical Association, and the Association of Black Psychologists and jointly convened a national dialogue on the effects of terrorism on the mental health of children. NCAAC participated in Capitol Hill and White House Briefings, participated in briefings convened by professional organizations and academic institutions, mobilized national work-groups, developed and disseminated preparedness materials, and publications evolved over the following 16 months to focus solutions aimed at the well-being of children of diverse cultures.

 

A contract with Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) (2001-2002), provided NCAAC the opportunity to address stigma, a major deterrent to African American youth and their families’ willingness to seek and engage mental health services. Focus groups of youth who were in treatment were conducted in several cities to determinewhat barriers they experienced and what solutions they thought could be used to promote youth help seeking behaviors. These focus groups informed a national campaign strategy and a video produced collaboratively by youth and NCAAC partners, with youth developing the message that It’s Okay to Seek Help!

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NCAAC in 2002 established the National Task Force on Pediatric Obesity & Chronic Disease in response to the dual epidemic Type II diabetes and pediatric Obesity. Briefings (2002-2009) and participation in federally organized constituent groups catalyzed discussion and evidence–based responses across several key U.S. Department of Human Service agencies.

 

NCAAC worked with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a social service organizations, on its 2010-2014 Asthma Prevention and Management Program. This public health project encompassed collaborative leadership in the development and implementation of a national initiative that reached over 10,000 children and parents throughout the United States. Outreach, asthma literacy, and parent/student engagement were among the activities that made this initiative a success. 

 

Noting the need to assist children and adults to better manage their asthma,

NCAAC contracted (2014-2016) with the DC Department of Health to test a newly developed App.  Participants were recruited from Howard University Hospital’s Asthma Clinic, trained on how to use the app and participated in evaluation process.