Center for Community Engagement and Social Research

For General Questions, Contact: communityengagement@ccsu.edu

Executive Director

Beth Merenstein
Associate Vice President
Center for Community Engagement and Social Research
Lawrence J. Davidson Hall
(860) 832-3174

Faculty Research Projects

Applied Research Projects

The Center provides affordable, state-of-the-art research, analysis, and consulting services to enhance the quality and delivery of public and non-profit services in CT. As always, the Center strives to have high levels of student involvement at every level.

Current Research projects

  • Connecticut Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB): Client Satisfaction Survey Report
    • For over 10 years, CPPSR has conducted a federally funded and mandated client Satisfaction Telephone Survey of recipients of services from the Connecticut Department of Rehabilitation Services’ BESB. The purpose of the survey is to evaluate the services clients received from seven dimensions of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. We then analyze the data/trends and provides statistical and longitudinal analysis in the form of a written report. Data from the report is then used to inform the BESB State Plan
    • Students play a critical role in the completion of this project as they are involved with data collection, data analysis, and drafting the final report. These individuals are responsible for conducting surveys with BESB clients over the telephone. They also organize open-ended feedback and identified emerging themes.
  • Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP): Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Data Report
    • In 2017, CPPSR obtained a contract with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to provide data collection and analysis to assist DEEP with the drafting and assembly of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The data collected helps DEEP evaluate the supply and demand of public outdoor recreation resources throughout CT. We are currently in the midst of negotiating a contract to complete this project again for the 2023-2028 SCORP.
    • As always, students played a key role in this project. Under the supervision of Central faculty experts, students were able to obtain real life experience in survey methodology, data collection, and data analysis.
  • Working with the Institute for the Study of Crime and Justice: Amplifying Neighborhood Voices: Community Perceptions of Police and Public Safety (CPPPS) Survey
    • To empower various communities in Connecticut to address the challenges of critical public policy issues concerning public safety and criminal justice reform. A cooperative venture with New Britain’s North Oak neighborhood to develop a community plan for addressing public safety and criminal justice related concerns, including police-community relations and engagement.
    • Community residents, including young residents, will be involved in the conduct of neighborhood surveys, review and analysis of findings and the preparation of the Community Plan. The process will attempt to identify problems and potential solutions to those problems. The final product, or plan, will be a public document presented to the North Oak NRZ and relevant stakeholders for its use in improving public safety strategies.
    • As always, students played a key role in this project. Under the supervision of Central faculty experts, students were able to obtain real life experience in survey methodology, data collection, and data analysis.
    • Click here to access the full report