March 11, 2009

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Latino Youth Wellness Latino Youth Wellness Program Program

AgendaAgendaAgendaAgendaOverview of the Latino Youth Wellness Program

LYW Program Description Identity’s Model Program Components

Group Level Interventions Individual Level Interventions

Program Evaluation Program OutcomesAgency CollaborationsChallenges and Lessons Learned

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LYWP DescriptionLYWP DescriptionLYWP DescriptionLYWP Description

Program Goal: To improve the general wellness of at-risk

Latino youth residing in the Wheaton and Gaithersburg

areas of Montgomery County, Maryland.

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The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human

Services’ Latino Health Initiative funds Identity’s Latino

Youth Health and Wellness Program. 

LYWP Description (Cont.)LYWP Description (Cont.)LYWP Description (Cont.)LYWP Description (Cont.)

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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 PopulationTarget PopulationTarget PopulationTarget Population

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Population:

Low-income families who have high-risk youth ages 11-19

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.

2COMMUNITY

INVOLVEMENT

4EVALUATION

3TRAINING &

IMPLEMENTATION

1RESEARCH

Identity’s ModelIdentity’s Model

Mission/Vision Focused

Demographic InformationDemographic Information

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N=217

• Females: 39% - Males: 61%

• FARMS: 46%

• Employed: 22%

• Separated from parents > 2 years: 82%

• Survey Language: 75% (Spanish)

Demographic InformationDemographic InformationDemographic InformationDemographic Information

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Place of Birth

27%

2%

49%

1%

21% USA

Mexico

Central America

Caribbean

South America

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Program ComponentsProgram ComponentsProgram ComponentsProgram Components

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Group & Individual Level InterventionsGroup & Individual Level InterventionsGroup & Individual Level InterventionsGroup & Individual Level Interventions 

40%

60%

Type of Interventions Conducted

Group Level Intervention

Individual Level Intervention

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 Group Level InterventionsGroup Level InterventionsGroup Level InterventionsGroup Level Interventions

After-School ProgramAfter-School Program

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After-School ProgramAfter-School Program

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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 ProgramAfter-School Program

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Gaithersburg (Upcounty)

• Gaithersburg Middle School• Neelsville Middle School

Wheaton (Downcounty)

• Albert Einstein High School •Newport Middle School.

Retreats & Fitness TrainingRetreats & Fitness Training

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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 TrainingParent Training

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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 TrainingParent TrainingThe sessions are run in the schools with parentsof current program participants and previousprogram participants.

Leadership TrainingLeadership Training

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Provides youth with opportunities to participate in community forums.

• During 2007-2008 more than 20 youth were trained in the leadership program (8 sessions) and attended numerous community events.

Community Advisory Board (CAB)Community Advisory Board (CAB)

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• 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

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Identity organizes workshops and field trips to colleges with the purpose of promoting “Health Education” and “Career Information”.

During 2007-2008 60+ youth participated in the following events:

- Health Career Fair at Identity’s Gaithersburg office- Visit to Montgomery College

Individual Level Interventions (ILI)Individual Level Interventions (ILI)

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Distribution of Referrals ConductedDistribution of Referrals Conducted

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n: 321

Home/Food Services

50%

Job Services1%

Legal Issues2%

Educational Services

9%

Mental Health10% Crisis/Abuse

1%

Health Services

27%

Agency Collaborations and Referral LinkagesAgency 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)

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Program EvaluationProgram Evaluation

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Evaluation of Outcome ObjectivesEvaluation of Outcome ObjectivesGoal Indicator 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

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Evaluation of Outcome ObjectivesEvaluation of Outcome ObjectivesGoal Indicator 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

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Evaluation of Outcome ObjectivesEvaluation of Outcome Objectives

Goal Indicator 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

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Select Program OutcomesSelect Program Outcomes

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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 -28.04%

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%

ChallengesChallengesParent 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.

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Lessons LearnedLessons 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.

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www.identity.ws

Thank you!