Crystal Tyler-Mackey

Dr. Crystal Tyler-Mackey holds a 100 percent Extension appointment, and serves as a statewide Community Viability Specialist. Dr. Tyler-Mackey often serves as a convener for communities and groups coming together to address critical or emerging issues. In that role, she has partnered with groups to assess community needs and assets, facilitate action and strategic plans, and identify resources from an array of public and private sources. Her work is delivered in partnership with Extension agents, university faculty, and community partners and aligned with identified priority needs.

Current Initiatives:

Opioid and Other Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health Issues:  Overdoses are now the leading cause of death of Americans under the age of 50, and the impacts are experienced in both urban and rural places, and in every region of the U.S. Opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose affect millions of Americans annually and cause immeasurable disruption and suffering in the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities while draining billions of dollars from the economy. To address these challenges in Virginia, Dr. Tyler-Mackey has leveraged resources and partnered with Extension and other Virginia Tech faculty, along with agency partners, to implement proven projects and programs. She is serving as lead principal investigator on two federally-funded projects ($1,624,841), and as co-principal investigator on two additional federally-funded projects, totaling another $1,420,898. Through these projects, multiple evidence-based strategies are being supported across Virginia, including:

PROSPER PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience: A collaborative, sustainable system for delivery of school-based and family-based substance use prevention. Relies on partnerships among community teams, university researchers, and Extension staff. Extension staff provide training and support. All programs implemented are evidence-based.

Strengthening Families Program 10-14: A household-based educational program designed to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors to prevent adolescent substance use and other problem behaviors.

Botvin LifeSkills Training for Middle School Students: Education and prevention activities that include comprehensive, skill-based programming to prevent teen risk behaviors. Teaches communication skills and promotes healthy coping strategies during the school day and integrated into the regular curriculum.

Mental Health First Aid: Certification course to providing education to equip individuals to recognize and respond to mental health crises. The goal of Mental Health First Aid is to keep people safe until professional intervention can occur. Opioid response supplement with information on signs and symptoms of overdose; participants learn to administer Naloxone.

Coming Together for Racial Understanding: Dialogues to promote racial understanding and healing. VCE leadership sent Dr. Tyler-Mackey, a Virginia State University specialist and a local Extension agent to the inaugural Coming Together for Racial Understanding national train the trainer event in August 2018. The purpose of the training was to build capacity within Cooperative Extension nationally to help communities engage in dialogues around racial issues. During the national train the trainer event, participants experienced two models of how to engage communities in needed dialogues on race and racism. The national teams were asked to pick one model to facilitate with their Extension colleagues. Dr. Tyler-Mackey and the Virginia team, upon meeting with VCE executive leadership, presented an overview of the training at 4-H Symposium, 2019 VCE annual professional development conference, and 2019 VCE Youth and Family Summit to share ideas for implementation and to glean feedback and support. The first two-day face to face session to experience the chosen dialogue-based model was held in October 2019 and participants were overwhelmingly in favor of offering the two-day dialogue sessions to as many Extension employees and community members as possible. Additional sessions for VCE personnel are being offered and initial planning to facilitate dialogues on race relations at the local level in communities are underway. Participating communities will follow up the conversations by developing a plan for doable actions that can help improve the racial climate within their respective places.

 Launched Coming Together for Racial Understanding civic dialogues for racial healing in collaboration with co-leader from Virginia State University and local Extension agent.

Dr. Tyler-Mackey serves on a national committee of the Coming Together for Racial Understanding group to share resources and plan for implementation of state-level and national trainings.

Racial Equity in the Food System: Dr. Tyler-Mackey’s work in these efforts has also led to the connection of two issues, namely food access and race relations. She was asked to serve on eXtension's Racial Equity in the Food System national steering committee. And in serving this past year, she helped plan 4 national webinars, some of which had over 700 registrants.

Food Access and Food Systems – The Human Dimensions: As the population continues to grow and diversify, our quality of life increasingly depends on understanding the impact of human behavior. My interest and efforts in the food access and food systems arena are housed primarily in the context of individual, family and community level efforts to promote nutrition and health literacy at all ages of the lifespan, support systems that reduce the prevalence and severity of food insecurity and to strengthen community resilience. Selected initiatives include:

Food For a Long Life: With similar concerns and interests, intergenerational expert Dr. Shannon Jarrott at The Ohio State University, and Dr. Tyler-Mackey conceptualized Food For a Long Life and were awarded a $1,280,000 USDA-CYFAR grant to address food access in Virginia and Ohio. The goal of the Food for a Long Life (FFLL) research project is to improve food security of young children and their families by increasing healthy food access, consumption, and nutrition education. A community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) approach is being used in combination with intergenerational strategies to meet project goals in the Near East Side of Columbus, OH and Lynchburg, VA. Nutrition education is being delivered in Lynchburg at White Rock Head Start Center, Rivermont Early Learning Center, PACE adult day center, and the ARC of Central Virginia. Each of these sites are located in food deserts, and Community Councils continue to inform the direction of the programming, research, and sustainability goals as aligned with a CBPAR framework. Early results have already been presented at seven conferences.

Virginia Food Desert Task Force: The purpose of the Virginia Food Desert Study Report was to determine the current status of food deserts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The report identifies challenges, consequences, strategies, and resources to address food deserts and offers recommendations for the Virginia General Assembly’s consideration and action. Dr. Tyler-Mackey co-authored this report and was tasked with focusing on the barriers and human decision aspects regarding access and consumption experienced by those living in communities with low-access to healthy, nutritious foods. Assembly in 2014 and partner with Extension faculty and communities to carry out recommendations in the report at the local level.

Virginia Farm to Table plan The Virginia Farm to Table Plan is an initiative that builds on the rich agricultural history and entrepreneurship of Virginia and seeks to address these economic, environmental challenges and strengthen Virginia's food system through a collaborative and participatory process. Dr. Tyler-Mackey served as co-author and serve as co-editor, and focused most effort on co-leading the public input process.

Leadership, Planning and Facilitation for Community Capacity Building: Dr. Tyler-Mackey works in the area of leadership development and facilitation skills training. She leads 15-hour facilitation training sessions, along with facilitating strategic planning sessions and board retreats. This core competency skill for formal and informal leaders at all levels is also vital for addressing the critical and emerging issues facing so many communities, including the opioid epidemic, food access, mental and physical health needs, poverty-related challenges and concerns related to race relations. The opportunities to convene groups around such issues are prevalent, but it takes a skilled/trained individual to lead it productively. Increasing recognition of this, as well as the importance of community engagement, is creating increased demand for training and capacity-building at many levels. Dr. Tyler-Mackey also leads Myers-Briggs Type Indicator sessions with groups and teams, placing the responses in the context of team development, conflict management and personal development.

University of Maryland, College Park

Individuals in Families

Future of Families: Issues and Controversies

Family Theories and Patterns

Tyler-Mackey, C., Monroe, P., Dyk, P. Welborn, R., & Worthy, S. L. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: Community climate in economically distressed rural communities, Community Development, 47(3), 304-321. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1164206

Worthy, S., Tyler-Mackey, C., Dyk, P., Monroe, P., & Welborn, R. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: Perception of leaders and leadership in economically distressed communities, Community Development, 47(3), 322-340. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1167098

Monroe, P., Tyler-Mackey, C., Dyk, P., Welborn, R., Worthy, S. L., Lowe, C., & Pickett, N. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: Sustainability of community engagement in economically distressed communities, Community Development, 47(3), 358-374. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1165273

Dyk, P., Monroe, P., Tyler-Mackey, C., Welborn, R., & Worthy, S. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: History, theoretical frameworks, and methods, Community Development, 47(3), 287-303. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1164734

Worthy, S., Downey, L., Dyk, P., C., Monroe, P., Tyler-Mackey, & Welborn, R. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: Community champions as critical elements of success in turning around economically distressed communities, Community Development, 47(3), 341-357. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1167096

Welborn, R., Downey, L., Dyk, P., Monroe, P., Tyler-Mackey, C., & Worthy, S. L. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: The role of Cooperative Extension Service in the initiative, Community Development, 47(3), 375-384. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1167097

Welborn, R., Downey, L., Dyk, P., Monroe, P., Tyler-Mackey, C., & Worthy, S. (2016). Turning the Tide on Poverty: Documenting impacts through Ripple Effect Mapping, Community Development, 47(3), 385-402. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2016.1167099

Niewolny, K.,  Latimer, J.; Bendfeldt, E. S.; Scott, K.; Miller, C.; Nartea, T.; Gehrt, K.; Grisso, R.; Vines, K.; Morton, S.; Githinji, L.; Tyler-Mackey, C.; Neale, S.; Dubois Harrow, L. (2016). Community, Local and Regional Food Systems. http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ALCE/ALCE-155/ALCE-155.html

Niewolny, K.,  Latimer, J.; Bendfeldt, E. S.; Scott, K.; Miller, C.; Nartea, T.; Gehrt, K.; Grisso, R.; Vines, K.; Morton, S.; Githinji, L.; Tyler-Mackey, C.; Neale, S.; Dubois Harrow, L. (2016). VCE Model of Community, Local, Regional Food Systems. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ALCE/ALCE-154/ALCE-154.html

Niewolny, K.,  Latimer, J.; Bendfeldt, E. S.; Scott, K.; Miller, C.; Nartea, T.; Gehrt, K.; Grisso, R.; Vines, K.; Morton, S.; Githinji, L.; Tyler-Mackey, C.; Neale, S.; Dubois Harrow, L. (2016). Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems (CLRFS) Forum Report. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ALCE/ALCE-156/ALCE-156.html

Niewolny, K.,  Latimer, J.; Bendfeldt, E. S.; Scott, K.; Miller, C.; Nartea, T.; Gehrt, K.; Grisso, R.; Vines, K.; Morton, S.; Githinji, L.; Tyler-Mackey, C.; Neale, S.; Dubois Harrow, L. (2016). Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems (CLRFS) Executive Summary. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ALCE/ALCE-157/ALCE-157.html

Virginia Food Deserts Task Force (2014). Food deserts in Virginia: Recommendations from the Food Desert Task Force. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/VCE/VCE-294/VCE-294.html

Walker M., Brockway, C. & Tyler-Mackey, C. (2014). Facilitation Series: The Art of Flip-Charting. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CV/CV-44/CV-44.html

Walker M., & Tyler-Mackey, C. (2012). Facilitation Series: Facilitating Group Discussions Generating and Narrowing Ideas and Planning for Implementation. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CV/CV-7/CV-7.html          

Walker M., & Tyler-Mackey, C. (2012). Facilitation Series: The Dynamics of Group Decision Making. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CV/CV-8/CV-8.html

Walker M., & Tyler-Mackey, C. (2012). Facilitation Series: The Things Facilitators Say. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CV/CV-6/CV-6.html

Bendfeldt, E., Tyler-Mackey, C., Benson, M., Hightower, L., Niewolny, K., Serrano, E., and Clark, S. (2012). Virginia Farm to Table: A Strategic Plan for Strengthening Virginia’s Food System Values and Economic Future. Proceedings of the Global Gateways and Local Connections Conference, Agriculture and Human Values Society, Annual Meeting, New York University, New York City, NY. June 2012.

Benson, M., Hightower, L., Bendfeldt, E., Tyler-Mackey, C., Niewolny, K., and Groover, G. (2012). Surveying agrifood stakeholders to identify priorities as part of a Virginia food system assessment, Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. Advance online publication. ISSN: 2152-0801 online

Virginia Farm to Table Team. (2011). Virginia farm to table: Healthy farms and healthy food for the common wealth and common good. A plan for strengthening Virginia’s food system and economic future. E.S. Bendfeldt, C. Tyler-Mackey, M. Benson, L. Hightower, K. Niewolny (Eds.) December 2011. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/CV/CV-3/CV-3.html

• Excellence in Community Partner Community Engagement Award; Food for a Long Life:  Engaging Community Partners to Tackle food Access, 2020
  
• Nominated and elected Secretary, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (2019 to present)
• Poster Award Winner, 2^nd place, Virginia Cooperative Extension Annual In-Service, 2018 Community, Local, and Regional Food System Program Team Update and Next Steps - Presented at VCE Annual Conference - Won 2nd Place in Interdisciplinary Category – CLRFS Team award
•  Selected as Steering Committee Member, Racial Equity in the Food System national workgroup
• Outstanding Team Award, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, May 2015
• Poster Award Winner, 2^nd place, Virginia Cooperative Extension Annual In-Service, March 2015
• Outstanding Faculty Member, University of Maryland, Panhellenic Association, November 2002
• Jewell L. Taylor National Dissertation Fellowship, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, July 2002
• Distinguished Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, 2002-2003
• Distinguished Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, 2000-2001

Tyler-Mackey, C., Hosig, K., Jones, D., Smith, M., Price, T., Vines, K., Wenzel, S., & Dunkenberger, M. September 2019 to August 2021. Preventing and Reducing Opioid Misuse and Abuse In Rural Virginia. National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA – Rural Health and Safety Education Program, $324,841

Tyler-Mackey, C., Smith, M., Hosig, K., Price, T., Vines, K., Wenzel, S., & Dunkenberger, M., September 2018 to August 2023. Virginia Tech and Virginia State University Sustainable Community Project: Helping Youth PROSPER and Avoid Opioid Misuse in Virginia. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, $1,300,000

Hosig, K., Tyler-Mackey, C., Vines, K., Jones, D., Price, T., Wenzel, S., Dunkenberger, M. & O’Connor, B., September 2018 to August 2020. Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Through Virginia Cooperative Extension. USDHHS/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, $1,099,260

Jarrott, S., & Tyler-Mackey, C. (co-PIs), September 2016 to August 2021. Ohio State University and Virginia Tech Sustainable Community Project: Food for a Long Life:  A community-based intergenerational project in Ohio and Virginia. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, $1,280,000