March 11, Latino Youth Wellness Program

AgendaAgenda Overview of the Latino Youth Wellness Program LYW Program Description Identity’s Model Program Components Group Level Interventions Individual Level Interventions Program Evaluation Program Outcomes Agency Collaborations Challenges and Lessons Learned 2

LYWP Description Program Goal: To improve the general wellness of at-risk Latino youth residing in the Wheaton and Gaithersburg areas of Montgomery County, Maryland. 3 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative funds Identity’s Latino Youth Health and Wellness Program.

LYWP Description (Cont.) 4 The program uses a combination of group training, one-on- one case management, counseling, and referrals to increase the protective factors and decrease the risk factors associated with negative health outcomes such as: Physical and Reproductive health Mental health Substance abuse Violence and gang involvement.

Target Population 5 Population: Low-income families who have high-risk youth ages living in the areas of Gaithersburg and Wheaton. Our Capacity to work with this population: Ten years experience. Bilingual and bicultural staff. Outreach experience and capacity. Data collection expertise.

2 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 4 EVALUATION 3 TRAINING & IMPLEMENTATION 1 RESEARCH Identity’s Model Mission/Vision Focused

Demographic Information 7 N=217 Females: 39% - Males: 61% FARMS: 46% Employed: 22% Separated from parents > 2 years: 82% Survey Language: 75% (Spanish)

Demographic Information 8 Place of Birth 27% 2% 49% 1% 21% USA Mexico Central America Caribbean South America

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10 Program Components Group Level Interventions After-School Program Retreats Fitness Training Parent Training Leadership Training Community Advisory Board Health Promotion Individual Level Interventions Counseling Services Case Management Services Wellness Plans Referrals

11 Group & Individual Level Interventions

12 Group Level Interventions

After-School Program 13

After-School Program 14 The after-school curriculum addresses the following topics: Social Skills and Leadership Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence Team Building & Communication Skills Substance Abuse Prevention Sexuality and HIV AIDS Prevention Goal Setting.

After-School Program 15 Gaithersburg (Upcounty) Gaithersburg Middle School Neelsville Middle School Wheaton (Downcounty) Albert Einstein High School Newport Middle School.

Retreats & Fitness Training 16 At the end of each cohort youth participate in a weekend retreat. In addition, participants are invited to come to the fitness sessions and field trips.

Parent Training 17 Two main areas of focus: (1) Reestablishing family bonds by working to improve parent- child communication and addressing the impact and challenges of family separation, family reunification and acculturation (2) Exploring themes related to the school system including academic goals, academic support, and the roles of parents as advocates.

Parent Training The sessions are run in the schools with parents of current program participants and previous program participants.

Leadership Training 19 Provides youth with opportunities to participate in community forums. During more than 20 youth were trained in the leadership program (8 sessions) and attended numerous community events.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) 20 Assist the LYW program by providing input and suggestions about programming. CAB members are from both target geographic areas: Upcounty and Downcounty. Most of the CAB participants were trained in advocacy/leadership in previous years.

Health Education and Career Information 21 Identity organizes workshops and field trips to colleges with the purpose of promoting “Health Education” and “Career Information”. During youth participated in the following events: - Health Career Fair at Identity’s Gaithersburg office - Visit to Montgomery College

Individual Level Interventions (ILI) 22 Meet with the youth’s family (IFLI) Individual Needs Assessment (Wellness Plan) Case Management Services - Provide Information - Referrals

Distribution of Referrals Conducted 23

Agency Collaborations and Referral Linkages Interfaith Clothing Center MANNA Food Montgomery County DHHS Montgomery County Public Schools Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Center Linkages to Learning / Kids First Alliance Casa de Maryland (CASA) Kensington Wheaton Youth Services (KWYS) 24

Program Evaluation 25 Evaluation Strategy Baseline Survey Satisfaction Survey Exit Survey Monthly Progress Reports

Evaluation of Outcome Objectives GoalIndicator Source of Evidence Improve Participants' Social Support Improve Family Support Improve Community Support (Group Support) Percentage of youth reporting increased comfort in approaching their parents with a personal problem Percentage of youth reporting increase in support from close friends Percentage of youth reporting decrease in level of isolation Baseline & Exit Survey Improve Youth Parent Relationship Reduce the Impact of the Separation Improve Youth-Parent Communication Increase Trust between Youth-Parent Percentage of youth reporting increased comfort in talking with their parents Percentage of youth reporting improved communication with their parents Percentage of youth reporting improved communication with their parents regarding specific issues (ex: sex) Percentage of youth reporting increased trust in their parents Percentage of youth reporting feeling more trusted by their parents Baseline & Exit Survey 26

Evaluation of Outcome Objectives GoalIndicator Source of Evidence Decrease Risky Behaviors Increase Refusal Skills Increase Knowledge (Risk Awareness) Improve Attitudes Towards Risky Behaviors Decrease Involvement in Risky Activities Percentage of youth reporting increased confidence to refuse drug use Percentage of youth reporting increased awareness about risks of drug use Percentage of youth reporting increased ability to refuse having unprotected sex Percentage of youth reporting increased understanding of unsafe sexual behaviors/HIV-AIDS and Teen Pregnancy Percentage of youth reporting increased ability to refuse joining a gang Baseline & Exit Survey 27

Evaluation of Outcome Objectives GoalIndicator Source of Evidence Improve Emotional Status Improve Self-Esteem Decrease Symptoms of Depression Percentage of youth reporting improvement in their self esteem levels Percentage of youth reporting decrease in their symptoms of depression Percentage of youth reporting increase in their belief in a positive future Baseline & Exit Survey 28

Select Program Outcomes 29 Participants reported a statistically significant increase on: Self-Esteem Scale 3.35% Depression Scale -8.79% Participants improved their attitudes and knowledge towards substance abuse: Substance Abuse Knowledge Scale 6.75% High Risk Substance Abuse Attitudes % An improvement in their perceived social support was also encountered: Social Support Scale 6.55% Parent-Youth Trust Scale 1.81% Social Support - Father 12%

Challenges Parent participation. Latino parents often work evenings, work more than one job, and do not have transportation or child care. Transportation. High costs and limited availability of transportation for youth and families to access services. Resources. Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Waiting lists. Some referral sites have long waiting lists in contrast with the immediate needs our clients face. 30

Lessons Learned One agency can not respond to all the families’ needs. Essential to work with partners. The development of community leadership is key. The community needs to become its own advocate. Cultural and linguistic competency is critical to success. Ongoing program evaluation: data collection and analysis. 31

Thank you!