Evaluation of Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP): A Program Serving Populations in Five Underserved Counties in the Deep South) Using PRECEDE/PROCEED Model of Program Evaluation

Background and Issues: Families may be defined as children living with one or both biological parents. For many children, this is not the case and a growing population of children being is being raised by relatives in the United States. Programs have emerged in communities to address, assist and fulfill the needs of these family units. The sustainability of such programs in the Deep South has been challenged with federal, state, and private funding cuts. Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) is a regional program in five counties in the Deep South for grandparents and other relatives raising another's children. The program offers information, fellowship, and support in gaining information and linkage to resources. With increasing numbers of this redefined family unit needing support, advocacy for the relative and the child has been an ongoing and growing challenge for this eleven year old program. Linking services to this vulnerable population over time continues is increasingly difficult in the current economic climate. In defining evidence-based program outcomes, as well as the benefits to the family and the community, recommendations for direction of the program activities, resources, and choices for the future are included in this program evaluation. Description: This program evaluation focuses on review of records, including needs assessment, general information about support services, and existing direct assistance for relatives raising other people's children. The PRECEDE/PROCEDE Model will be used to gather community data information and evaluate existing outcomes for the program. Lessons Learned: The findings of the program evaluation using the PRECEDE/PRECEDE Model will reflect the implementation of the past interventions for the caretakers and the children, note worker and funding needs in the past, and provide recommendations for future directions of this program. Recommendations: The use of the PRECEDE/PROCEED MODEL will help identify the multiple factors of the relative, the child, their environment, and the needs of family unit, and the services requested and provided by the program. Outcomes will be evaluated and recommendations will be made using best practices of existing population-focused health interventions.