Oral

Subject retention is a major challenge in longitudinal studies, but especially more so when dealing with hard to reach populations. In this session we will explore the many strategies and intense efforts used to engage and retain low-income participants in the 5 year longitudinal study, Legacy for Children. Continuity of contact activities discussed will include: weekly phone calls, birthday cards for participants and children and holiday gifts for both, childcare services during parenting groups for the target intervention child, attendance incentives, door-to-door transportation to and from meetings and graduations, meals at meetings, assessment incentives and supplemental home visits to sustain contact, when necessary. The conceptual framework of “Building a Sense of Community,” as part of the curriculum, will be detailed, as well as the mechanisms employed to support staff in sustaining non-judgmental acceptance of all participants.

Session Objectives: • Describe factors associated with attrition in the Legacy for Children parenting intervention program. • Articulate a potential mechanism to increase retention rates in parenting intervention programs • Describe effort involved in engaging low-income parents in a public health intervention • Discuss lessons learned and best strategies to enhance participation in public health research • Describe potential barriers to attendance and retention in a longitudinal group intervention

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing