The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66289

Julia Rosenbaum, MSC¹, Kim Scott Fisher, MPH¹, and Utelia Burrell². (1) CHANGE Project, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202-884-8838, jrosenba@aed.org, (2) Rural Family Support Organization, P.O. Box 176, May Pen, Jamaica

Demonstrate how an assets-based approach can assist in planning and implementing integrated prevention programs that are participatory and sustainable. Traditional program planning identifies risk factors then builds programs to reduce risk and fill gaps. An assets-based approach turns the planning equation over, and looks for protective factors already existing in communities- and builds programs around strengthening those protective factors that make a difference. Experience and evaluation data have shown that assets-based approaches have a higher likelihood of community buy-in and sustainability, because they are built around assets that already exist in the community. USAID's CHANGE project worked with local counterparts to develop a standardized survey that measured 13 external and 6 internal assets in the school, home, community, peer and individual that research has linked to resilience and positive youth development. These protective factors were analyzed in relation to their effect on sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use, violence and suicide. Caring relationships in the home and among peers and meaningful participation in the home and in the community were found to be significant in protecting against early sexual activity and increased contraceptive use. Findings were presented to the community who took part in a participatory planning process to strengthen the protective factors in their community. A travelling parenting program was developed that recruits, trains and supports a team of parent peer educators to visit homes and establish on-going opportunities for meaningful participation and caring relationships in the home and community. Other community-based activities are also supported.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to:
• describe major features of assets-based approaches;
• name the protective domains measured in a simple audience research protocol to examine relevant assets clusters;
• examine a field application of an assets-based approach to adolescent reproductive health objectives

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.