Community Partnerships

YCCI has linkages to 17 local community organizations that have formed the foundation for the design, conduct, and dissemination of clinical research protocols in the greater New Haven community.

Since 2010, the Yale Cultural Ambassador program (CA) has served as a national model for the engagement of community members and organizations in clinical research. Individuals representing the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Junta for Progressive Action, and community members in New Haven receive substantial training in the principles and practices of clinical research and serve as partners and consultants.

Their extensive community relationships have increased participation in clinical trials by members of groups traditionally under-represented in research protocols from 3% to 35%, and increased retention rates in research protocols. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CAs were instrumental in encouraging vaccination and participation in clinical trials by broad members of the New Haven community.

CAs have been actively involved in the Yale All of Us research program, the Coast-to-Coast consortium, (URL) and the YCCI Help Us Discover Heroes program, which has enrolled over 30,000 individuals interested in participating in clinical research. The CAs also actively participated in the Clinical Trials Access Collaborative (CTAC), funded by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to design a community-based framework for clinical trials readiness.

YCCI recognizes that broadening community participation in clinical research involves linking investigators directly to resources in the community.

Cultural ambassadors are available to:

• Participate in projects, community engagement activities and community events designed to promote and increase participation in clinical trials.
• Assist in the development of recruitment plans for specific trials.
• Assist in the development of protocols for specific trials.
• YCCI initially provided intensive training on topics such as the importance of clinical research, how it is conducted, and protections for human subjects. Continuing education is provided on an ongoing basis through monthly faculty presentations.