Online Program

281814
A culturally relevant adaptation of a parental monitoring prevention strategy to serve Latino and somali portlanders


Monday, November 4, 2013

Jo Morrissey, BA, Public Health, Medical Care Development, Inc, Portland, ME
Bankole Kolawole, MD, MS, Public Health Division, City of Portland, Portland, ME
Background: Cultural competency in assisting communities of focus is vital to the practice of public health. The Minority Health Program (MHP) worked to identify root causes contributing to underage drinking in the Latino and Somali communities and partnered with 21 Reasons to help address those root causes. Methods: MHP worked closely with community stakeholders to implement SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). Underage drinking was identified as a top concern. Table Talks were chosen as a strategy. Table Talks are small, informal, facilitated gatherings among parents of teen's friends to open up a dialogue on common risks their teens face such as underage drinking, and to provide an opportunity for families to share their norms and expectations. 21 Reasons, having expertise in Table Talks, was chosen to train Somali and Spanish community members as Table Talk facilitators. These facilitators, in turn, adapted and translated Table Talks materials in order to make them accessible to their own communities. Results: Success stories include improved family harmony, appropriate “contracts” between parents and teens, and increased community dialogue. There several clients connected with needed services, followed-up, and access to healthcare. Strengthened working relationships between stakeholders in Greater Portland area in order to address a public health issue. Conclusions: By following the lead of the communities in focus, maintaining clear roles and expectations, and providing support and resources from a partner's core area of expertise, prevention providers can partner with a community of focus and successfully assist in adapting and employing evidence based best practices

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Environmental health sciences
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate a process for working with community partners to develop culturally relevant evidence based best practices Discuss barriers and challenges of working cross culturally and share strategies for overcoming them.

Keyword(s): Cultural Competency, Partnerships

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the coalition coordinator for a substance abuse prevention coalition for the past seven years. Our coalition was one of only three coalitions nationally to have received the Exemplary Award from NASADAD for our contributions to the field of substance abuse prevention in 2011. I have presented at the National Prevention Network, Maine Public Health Association, and am a consultant on environmental strategies locally and nationally.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.