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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Annie Alonso, PsyD, Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, University of Puerto Rico, School of Public Health, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, 787-758-2525, aalonso@rcm.upr.edu, Ilia Torres, MS, Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, University of Puerto Rico, Schol of Public Health, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, and Mario H. Rodríguez, PhD, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, PO BOX 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067.

Background: Needs assessment in the developmental disabilities (DD) population in severely underserved areas facilitates the planning of services. The island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico represent two communities with extreme difficulties in access to services. This study investigated the social and health needs of the DD population and their families in Vieques and Culebra. Findings will support people with DD in obtaining the most appropriate social and health services in the least restrictive environment Methods: A needs assessment instrument related to family needs was developed. It includes demographic information, family needs scale (information, support, help explaining about their child to others, community services, and economic), family functionality, and perceptions of services. The interview was given to a convenience sample of 73 families. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: In this evaluation, 75% of the participants had Medicaid managed care or Medicare health coverage and 51.8% evaluated the health and social services they receive as poor or fair. The three principal groups of needs identified by the participants are parents' needs for information related to their child's disability, support from family members or others, and help in intrafamily fuctioning. Results from the multiple regression analysis related to family functionality indicated that the model that included the variables “support from family members” and “economic needs” were significant (p < .05). Conclusions: The population with DD presents complex family needs related to health and social services. Both islands are underserved communities with special planning needs related to family functionality.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify issues related to access of services for the developmental disabilities population in underserved areas in Puerto Rico.
• Identify the social and health needs of persons with DD in underserved areas in Puerto Rico.

Keywords: Access and Services, Disability Studies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered