Joining Forces: The Benefits and Challenges of Conducting Regulatory Research With a Policy Advocate. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silberberg, Mina; Biederman, Donna J.; Carmody, Emily
• Is Part Of: Housing policy debate. Volume 29:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Housing -- tenancy support services -- permanent supportive housing -- community engaged research -- interdisciplinary research -- Medicaid; Housing policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Housing -- United States -- Finance -- Periodicals; Housing policy; Public housing -- Finance; United States; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.58097305
• DOI: 10.1080/10511482.2018.1541923
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1051-1482

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Community-engaged research (CEnR) is experiencing a resurgence as a way of informing community-level change and policymaking. Yet the rules and regulations that are crucial to policy implementation and success are relatively understudied through CEnR. This case study of CEnR on a Medicaid service definition for tenancy supports illustrates the benefits of engaging a policy advocate in regulatory research. These include the advocate's relationships with stakeholders; her knowledge of the regulatory domain, process, and context; and her visibility as a team member. The case also illustrates challenges to advocate–researcher collaboration, including time demands, differing goals, risks to advocate relationships, and the politicized nature of advocacy. The case depicts strategies that address these challenges, including advocate compensation time, early engagement, discussions of motivations and expectations, and proactive attention to the advocate's role.