Progress 07/01/07 to 06/30/10
Outputs
The objectives of the Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable Project were: 1) to promote experiential learning by training 12 first-generation educated Latino students, and 2) advance the education of 200 Latino WIC recipients about breastfeeding, proper nutrition, and physical activity. The first objective was accomplished as 15 undergraduate and 2 graduate students participated in the project. The students participated in the following: one 4-hour initial orientation; eight 2-4 hour training sessions and 8 monthly meetings (3-4 hours each). Content for trainings included cultural determinants of health, community-based participatory research, motivational interviewing, ethnography, maternal/infant and child nutrition, healthy pregnancy, postpartum care, breastfeeding, physical activity, community-based planning, implementation and formative evaluation, participant recruitment, focus groups, and transcript analysis. After training, students recruited participants, taught the health education classes and conducted telephone and in-person case management. Students received academic guidance, support, and mentorship from project faculty and staff throughout the project. Financial assistance was provided through project stipends of $200 for undergraduates and $400 graduates. One graduate student received a full scholarship to cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Opportunities for personal and professional development were offered to the students such as attending American Cancer Society, American Public Health, and MANNRS Conferences. To accomplish the second objective, we developed a maternal/child health promotores-based curriculum and tool kit. The project tool-kit includes the curriculum, hand-outs, project instrumentation, recruitment and data collection forms. The bilingual curriculum consists of 5 two-class sessions and includes informational hand-outs. Class topics include prenatal care, the importance of breastfeeding, age appropriate introduction of solid foods, food allergies, American Academy of Pediatrics and WIC guidelines, and the importance of physical activity. The objective of training more than 200 Latina WIC participants with a culturally and linguistically appropriate educational experience was met, as 202 women participated in the intervention. The outcome objectives were to demonstrate more than a 10 percent increase in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration among participants. Participants learned about the importance of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity. However, many of the women were pregnant at the interval of time to assess their breast-feeding behavior was not been sufficient. Based on pre-and-post test knowledge questionnaires we saw an increase in knowledge regarding prenatal care, breastfeeding, and proper infant nutrition. An additional goal of the project was to inform other organizations about Best Practices in the HSI setting by hosting a Best Practices Conference. The conference was held on June 9th, 2009 and was attended by over 75 participants. The agenda included: USDA overview and HSI-specific USDA project demonstrations and opportunities. PRODUCTS: Student Community Health Educators: Student recruitment/ employment materials (flyers, applications, and interview guides). Procedures and forms for student stipends, including graduate scholarship disbursement forms, with student binders including project overview, guidelines and training materials. Formative Research- Focus Groups: Bilingual recruitment and implementation outreach flyers, contact script/ participant eligibility screener, informed consent, participant demographic questionnaire, and focus group guide. Transcripts and analysis were completed. Educational Session Tool Kit: The tool kit contains bilingual recruitment tools for 5 sessions with informational hand-outs, outreach flyers, contract script/ participant eligibility screener, informed consent, demographic questionnaire, pre/ post-knowledge questionnaires, session calendars, and educational curriculum. A total of 25 tool kits were reproduced, and are currently being used by another USDA funded project. A project-web page, project fact sheet and power point presentation have also been developed. OUTCOMES: The bilingual educational curriculum and tool kit have been developed. Another success is the establishment of 17 students in an experiential learning internship providing formative research experience during the development and implementation of the classes. Six students participated since the initiation of the project (24 months), two students have participated for 12 months, and four students 7 months. Three of the students were hired at research assistants at the Center, and two of them are now enrolled in masters programs. Two important, additional outcomes have been the creation of a procedure within our Hispanic-serving Institution and the Long Beach community to actualize bilingual, student health educators among Health Science and Nutrition students; success of the overall project depended on creating and implementing acceptable procedures. The second major outcome is the establishment of a positive working-relationship with the Long Beach Department of Health and WIC programs to create a flexible, practical process within existing structures and personnel. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination activities were ongoing. At the project initiation a press release was published at California State University Long Beach. During year one of the project, an article was printed in the Latinos and Hispanics Dietetics and Nutrition Newsletter entitled Adelante. Project staff submitted presentation abstracts, and presented at seven local and national conferences. Project overview and updates were also published on the NCLR/CSULB Center website and brochures. FUTURE INITIATIVES: A grant application was submitted and approved for funding through the USDA (2009) focusing on curricula design, faculty and student experiential learning. This initiative has allowed for the continuation of student involvement and community education. Furthermore, the NCLR/CSULB Center will continue to utilize the project curriculum and tool kit to educate Latinas in other settings such as health fairs and community outreach events.
Impacts
The project provided 17 Student Community Health Educators (SCHE), 2 graduate, and 15 undergraduates with skills, knowledge and experience working on community health education projects. One graduate received a full scholarship for tuition, books, and other expenses. This project has prepared the SCHE for future careers in health and project management. 202 Latina WIC participants received health education regarding prenatal care, breastfeeding, proper nutrition and physical activity. The SCHE are able to serve their communities and future employers because of the training they received. The major, long-term benefit of this project has been training a core group of Latina students who have learned to apply their skills, knowledge and caring to the benefit of their community. This created a potential lifelong commitment to the well-being of the Latina population. The net effect also includes the influence the students and staff have had on their families, peers, faculty and local groups who have learned of the initiative. This has been a new coordination project for the University, local health facilities and project directors. The value of developing a new project to support an existing WIC program and to physically work in their environment has been a continuous communication effort and allows for continued and future studies. It is extremely valuable and the magic key to reaching the Latina population, notwithstanding the fact that the project created a new team of research colleagues pursuing equity, health promotion and disease prevention among Latinos.
Publications
- Rios-Ellis, B, & Frank, G.C. (2007) Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable. USDA, Grantee Meeting. Washington DC.
- Villaruel, M., Rios-Ellis, B. & Garcia, M. (2010) Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable, Community based intervention program to reduce obesity in Latino Families. 2010 Health Services Research and Health Disparities Workshop. Presentation and Abstract Publication.
- Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C., & Garcia M.(2010) Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable (Healthy Start: Healthy Family): Culturally and linguistically relevant infant feeding and nutrition with Latina Women, Infant, and Children's program recipients utilizing student community health educators. 2010 APHA, Annual Mtg. Presentation and Abstract publication.
- Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C, Malotte, C. K., & Garcia, M. (2009) Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable, Community-based health education program to reduce risk of childhood obesity in the Latino Community. 2009 APHA, Annual Mtg. Abstract submitted.
- Frank, G.C. (2008). Comienzo sano: Familia saludable (Healthy start: Healthy family). Newsletter of the Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition, Adelante LAHIDAN, 1(2) page 2.
- Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C, Malotte, C. K., & Garcia, M. (2008) USDA Project, Comienzo Sano Familia: Saludable: Multidisciplinary program promoting public health careers while reducing risk of childhood obesity in the Latino community. 2008 APHA, Annual Mtg. Presentation and abstract publication. Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C., Malotte, C. K. & Garcia, M.(2008). Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable. 19th Annual Long Beach Research Symposium, Long Beach, CA. Presentation.
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Progress 07/01/07 to 06/30/08
Outputs
The 1st objective was accomplished, 15 undergraduate/2 graduate students have been employed with 10 undergraduate/2 graduate on staff (12 proposed). Students have participated in the following: one 4-hr orientation; eight 2-4 hr trainings (2-4 hrs each) & 8 monthly meetings (3-4 hrs each). Content for trainings: cultural determinants of health, research ethics, community-based participatory research, motivational interviewing, & ethnography. Content trainings: maternal/infant & child nutrition education, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, postpartum care, benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding techniques, physical activity, community-based planning, implementation & formative evaluation, participant recruitment, focus groups, & transcript analysis. Curriculum development for five, 20/25 min nutritional/health sessions. Ten students enrolled in an internship (1-3 units) & received academic credit. After training, students recruited participants, taught health education classes & conducted case management. Participants completed informed consents, survey, and knowledge questionnaires & education sessions. Students received guidance & mentorship from project faculty. Financial assistance was provided with bi-monthly stipends-$200 for undergraduates-$400 graduates. One graduate received a scholarship for tuition, books, & other expenses. Opportunities for professional development are offered to students such as American Cancer Society workshops and fairs. To accomplish the 2nd objective, we developed a maternal/child health curriculum/tool kit. Tool-kit includes: curriculum, hand-outs, instrumentation, recruitment & data collection forms. Class topics: prenatal care, healthy eating & exercising during pregnancy, importance of breastfeeding, age appropriate introduction of solid foods, food allergies, American Academy of Pediatrics & WIC guidelines, & importance of exercise for the family. To accomplish objectives, staff provided additional training to students in community participatory research methods during monthly meetings & trainings. Due to student turnover, students have participated at different stages, although most have been involved the entire project. The objective of training 200 Latina WIC participants with a culturally appropriate educational experience has been partially achieved by educating 194 (97% of goal)in Session 1. Thirteen have completed Session 2, 6 Session 3, & 3 have finished Sessions 1-5. Although the original goal was to have all participants complete all five sessions, this has not been accomplished, but is ongoing. The curriculum is designed to teach about the importance of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity; however at this time only a small number of women have completed Session 2 which includes breast-feeding content. In addition some women who have completed Session 2 are still pregnant & the interval of time to assess their breast-feeding behavior has not been sufficient. We will contact the women to assess breastfeeding and determine if an increase in intent or practice has occurred. Delays in the initial timeline have been addressed and time-savings efforts discussed and implemented. PRODUCTS: Student Community Health Educators: Student recruitment/ employment materials (flyers, applications, and interview guides). Procedures and forms for student stipends, including graduate scholarship disbursement forms, with student binders including project overview, guidelines and training materials. Formative Research- Focus Groups: Bilingual recruitment and implementation outreach flyers, contact script/ participant eligibility screener, informed consent, participant demographic questionnaire, and focus group guide. Transcripts and analysis were completed. Educational Session Tool Kit: The tool kit contains bilingual recruitment tools for 5 sessions with informational hand-outs, outreach flyers, contract script/ participant eligibility screener, informed consent, demographic questionnaire, pre/ post-knowledge questionnaires, session calendars, and educational curriculum. To date, 12 kits have been produced and distributed to all Student Community Health Educators for their use in implementing the project. Upon completion of the project evaluation final tool-kits will be printed and will be made available for replication to other institutions at the local, state, and national level, to strengthen organizations' ability to provide culturally and linguistically relevant services. A project-web page, project fact sheet and power point presentation have also been developed. OUTCOMES: The bilingual educational curriculum and tool kit have been developed. Another success is the establishment of 17 students in an experiential learning internship providing formative research experience during the development and implementation of the classes. Six students have participated since the initiation of the project (17 months), two students have participated for 7 months, and four students have signed on this spring semester (2 months). Two important, additional outcomes have been the creation of a procedure within our Hispanic-serving Institution and the Long Beach community to actualize bilingual, student health educators among Health Science and Nutrition students; success of the overall project has depended on creating and implementing acceptable procedures. The second major outcome is the establishment of a positive working-relationship with the Long Beach Department of Health and WIC programs to create a flexible, practical process within existing structures and personnel. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination activities are ongoing. Project staff have submitted presentation abstracts, presented at local and national conferences and upon completion of the project, further dissemination activities will take place to share project findings. FUTURE INITIATIVES: A new grant application was submitted to the USDA focusing on curricula design, faculty and student experiential learning. If funded, this initiative will allow for the continuation of student involvement and community education. Furthermore, the NCLR/CSULB Center will continue to utilize the project curriculum and tool kit to educate Latinas in other settings such as health fairs and community outreach events.
Impacts
Project provided 2 graduate/15 undergraduate students with skills, knowledge & experience in community projects. One graduate received a scholarship for tuition and other expenses. Project prepared the SCHE for careers in health education & project management. To date, 194 participants received the educational classes. These SCHE will be able to serve their communities & future employers due to training they received. Upon completion, they will receive a certificate for their involvement. The major, long-term benefit of this project has been training and empowering a small, group of students who have learned to apply their skills, knowledge & caring to benefit their community. This has created a potential lifelong commitment to the well-being of the Latina population. The net effect also includes the influence these students & staff have had on their families, peers, faculty and local groups who have learned of the initiative & their commitment. In addition,this has been a new coordination project for the University, local health facilities & project directors/ investigators. The value of developing, from scratch, a new project to support an existing WIC program & to physically work in their environment without competition has been a continuous communication & public relation effort. This foundation will allow continued & future studies. It is extremely valuable & the magic key to reaching the Latina population. We are proud that the project has created a new team of research colleagues pursuing equity, health promotion & disease prevention among the Latina population.
Publications
- 2009 Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C, Malotte, C. K., & Garcia, M. Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable Community-based health education program to reduce risk of childhood obesity in the Latino Community. 2009 APHA, Annual Mtg. Abstract submitted.
- 2008 Frank, G.C. (2008). Comienzo sano: Familia saludable (Healthy start: Healthy family). Newsletter of the Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition - Adelante LAHIDAN, 1(2) page 2.
- 2008 Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C, Malotte, C. K., & Garcia, M.(2008) USDA Project- Comienzo Sano Familia: Saludable: Multidisciplinary program promoting public health careers while reducing risk of childhood obesity in the Latino community. 2008 APHA, Annual Mtg. Presentation and abstract publication.
- 2008 Rios-Ellis, B., Frank, G.C., Malotte, C. K. & Garcia, M. (2008). Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable. 19th Annual Long Beach Research Symposium, Long Beach, CA. Presentation.
- 2007Rios-Ellis, B, & Frank, G.C.(2007) Comienzo Sano: Familia Saludable. USDA, Grantee Meeting. Washington DC.
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