The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45168

Lynn D. Woodhouse, EdD, MPH, Public Health Program, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect St., 242 DeNike Building, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, 570 422 3560, cwoodhouse@po-box.esu.edu and William C. Livingood, PhD, Duval County Health Department, Director, Division of Health, Policy and Evaluation Research, University of FL, 515 W 6th. St., Jacksonville, FL 32206.

Five counties in NE FL received a SAMHSA grant to integrate HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and mental health services for the African American community. The funding was awarded to bring diverse stakeholders together for the purpose of creating a comprehensive action plan to reach the integration goal. The mixed method evaluation of this project, emphasizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, facilitated a better understanding of the complex and sometimes conflicting views of the participants. The methods, emphasizing the voice of the stakeholders, provided a rich look at the core of some very important, yet conflicting, beliefs. These conflicting beliefs were best understood as the participants tried to simultaneously navigate philosophical change and power change. The philosophical change was demonstrated in the negotiated movement from an isolated system, full of turf and professional ideology, toward an integrated system capable of providing culturally sensitive, client- focused care. The power change process was understood as movement from what was perceived to be a racist system to a more inclusive, empowering system began. The lessons learned through this evaluation can facilitate effectiveness of other projects designed to eliminate health disparities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will be able to

• Describe the value of using stakeholder evaluation to highlight the beliefs of participants from diverse communities.
• Articulate the main attitudes and beliefs held by the diverse participants in this specific project.
• Disucss how mixed method evaluation strategies can contribute to eliminating health disparities.

Keywords: Service Integration, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: grant funded evaluation