Abstract
Teen Peer Leaders in Health Promotion: It was just a job and ended up much more
Ainat Koren, PhD, DNP, PMHNP
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Introduction. Peer Leaders are students trained to become role models and leaders who promote positive behavior changes in their schools and communities. Studies have shown that integrating peer initiatives in health promotion programs can improve knowledge, change attitudes, promote self-efficacy and positive behaviors. Limited studies were done on the effect of peer-leadership on peer-leaders themselves in prevention programs.
Methods. Interviews with eighteen past and present peer leaders in Southeastern Massachusetts participating in a teen pregnancy prevention program were video recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was coded and analyzed for common themes.
Results. Being a peer leader was a life changing experience. Benefits varied from learning reproductive health content, life skills, developing long lasting friendships and enhanced career development. The program provided a purpose and removed the peer leaders from health risk behaviors. Their experience with assisting others in need was both rewarding and a confidence builder. Peer leadership opportunities allowed the teens to develop a view of themselves as change agents in their community. The experience opened their eyes to the needs of the people residing in their community and additional volunteer opportunities. The benefits extended to the participant’s family by including their siblings in the program and improving communication with their parents.
Conclusions. Results from this study have implications for further supporting peer leaders in health promotion and prevention programs in the area of reproductive health and other health promotion initiatives.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Administration, management, leadership Advocacy for health and health education Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Abstract
LAWN Academy of Detroit: Creating the next generation of change agents
Sruthi Sreedhar1, Laurel Stevenson, PhD, MPH1, Alicia Tollefson1, Catherine McGhie2 and Eric Miller Jr.3
(1)Oakland University, Rochester, MI, (2)Oakland University, Rochester, (3)The Lawn Academy, Detroit, MI
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Introduction. The Lawn Academy was created to promote positive youth development (PYD) since youth in Detroit have higher reported prevalence of violence, risky behavior and behavioral issues than national average. The program focuses on character development (a PYD construct) for male adolescents through leadership training and community service with the goal of addressing long-term community change through reducing/preventing violence among youth and encouraging positive contribution to their communities.
Methods. This was a mixed-methods program evaluation study. 26 male adolescents who participated in leadership and academic training with Lawn Academy during the summer of 2017 completed a validated PYD post-program survey. Eight focus groups were conducted with the participants of the Lawn Academy to explore PYD themes.
Results. Having a social conscience and personal values, constructs within character, were highly reported among participants who completed the program. Majority (89%) indicated that it was important to help make the world a better place, while 84% reported the importance of accepting responsibility and accountability for their actions. Emerging themes from the focus groups included personal growth, character development, community improvement and staying out of trouble which supported and expands upon the post-program survey findings.
Conclusions. Lawn Academy positively impacted adolescents through character development and helped to establish the adolescents in the community through service. There is a need for programs that foster PYD, like the Lawn Academy, to help adolescents bring positive change to their communities and other disadvantaged population while promoting strategies to reduce violence and risky behavior among youth.
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Program planning
Abstract
Working with Expectant/ Parenting Latino Youth Using a Positive Youth Development Framework
Felicia Rodriguez, MA1, Kathleen Tebb, PhD1, Mary Campa, Ph.D.2 and Lissa Pressfield2
(1)University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, (2)California Department of Public Health, Sacramento, CA
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Background: The California Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH) developed the Adolescent Family Life Program Positive Youth Development (AFLP PYD) model to provide expectant and parenting youth (EPY) with comprehensive, strengths-based case management services to promote resilience and improve health, education and employment outcomes. Nearly 75% of the youth served in AFLP are Latino understanding and addressing the linguistic and cultural needs of this population are critical for program success.
Methods: We assessed case manager’s perceptions of the relevance of the AFLP/PYD intervention for Latino EPY by interviewing 42 AFLP PYD case managers and supervisors and observing 16 youth–case manager interactions at 10 sites across California. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed to identify key themes.
Results: AFLP PYD materials are relevant and acceptable for most Latino EPY and the program is generally sensitive to their cultural and linguistic needs. Several challenges were identified: Undocumented youth have a hard time setting educational and employment goals because they have more limited pathways to legal employment. Many Latino EPY fear for family members who may not have legal status. Some face difficulties when AFLP PYD information conflicted with partners and/or family members (e.g., expectations for education versus work, pregnancy prevention, diet). Many are uncomfortable discussing contraception. Monolingual Spanish-speakers also need special considerations.
Conclusions: The program is youth-centered and well received by many Latino EPY. MCAH revisions to the model have addressed many, but not all challenges. Efforts are ongoing to increase cultural relevance to support youth engagement and maximize impacts.
Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Advancing Adolescent Primary Health Care through Multi-State Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement Collaboratives in Title V
Iliana White, MPH, CHES, CPH
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Washington, DC
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Adolescence is a crucial period of the lifecourse that entails major developmental changes and offers unique opportunities for preventing risky behaviors and onset of chronic conditions of adulthood. The problems of adolescence extend and often worsen in young adulthood, showing a need for preventive interventions. Preventive services allow for early identification and intervention, however, not all adolescents receive at least a well-visit annually. The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant charged states to prioritize annual preventive visits for AYAH through National Performance Measure #10: the percent of adolescent (ages 12-17) with a past-year preventive visit. In response and to build capacity of state MCH programs, the AYAH National Resource Center launched a multi-cohort of select states to execute the AYAH Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN). The AYAH CoIIN propelled Title V Programs to build their capacity around fostering new and expanding existing partnerships across public health and clinical care systems to advance the well-being of youth. The participating states brought together multi-disciplinary team members representing the medical, public health, systems, and youth leadership sectors and developed an action plan to implement in local communities and demonstration clinics focused on rapid-change quality improvement cycles (e.g. PDSA) to test strategies and approaches. State teams worked together on 3 collective aims across all of the participating states: 1. Increase access and utilization of preventive services 2. Improve the quality of clinical care for AYAH 3. Improve state- and systems-level policies and practices to assure access to high-quality preventive services.
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Program planning Provision of health care to the public Public health or related public policy