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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Janet Flores, MPH1, Amy Binggeli, MPH, RD, CHES1, and Susanne B Montgomery, PhD, MPH2. (1) Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, 10865 Mountain View Ave, Loma Linda, CA 91002, 9094789701, jflores@sph.llu.edu, (2) Dept. of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350
Adolescent pregnancy and parenting is a significant public health concern for the City of San Bernardino, CA, where teen pregnancy rates in several zip code areas more than double national rates. The Families Organized for Community Unification and Success (FOCUS) project was developed to combat teen pregnancy among inner-city 10-17 year olds via multiple interventions including parenting education and parent-youth recreational activities. This study details a yearlong qualitative evaluation conducted to identify barriers to parent involvement in the FOCUS Project's family support activities. Data and content from transcriptions of six key informant interviews and two focus groups each with youth and parents, and two focus groups with Project mid-level and line-staff were analyzed for emerging themes, using Grounded Theory methods. The evaluation results revealed parents and youth seeking improved connection and communication with each other, positive parent attitudes and intentions to participate in worthwhile family support programs, common pragmatic obstacles to parent participation, and a general resistance among staff to the Project parent involvement program objectives, and to parent recruitment in particular. This study explores the types of barriers to parent involvement in family support programs, including those created by agencies and staff, and suggests possible solutions. The implications for public health education include the importance of selection, skills training, and support for service providers with primary responsibility for parent recruitment and retention in inner-city neighborhoods.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Family Involvement, Barriers to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.