Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This research effort will look at the community level protective factors. Here are steps we are taking: conduct a comprehensive review parental absence families literature; review current supports and programs available for military dependents; examine the perception of families and students related to the availability, utility, and benefits of these programs, potential effectiveness of the newly identified programs; and create a plan for program offerings as well as metrics and evaluation plans.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This current research effort is designed to examine the community level protective factors. Therefore, the goals of this research project include: 1. Conduct a comprehensive review of literature focused on parental absence families in terms of their needs, risk factors, and protective factors; 2. Identify the current supports and programs (school-based, community-based, and/or family-based) available to promote military dependents (i.e., school-age children and non-absent parent/guardian) social and emotional well-being during a parental absents due to military responsibilities; 3. Collect data about the perception of families and students related to the availability, utility, and benefits of these programs, potential effectiveness of the newly identified programs; 4. Identify factors that impede or discourage families and students participation; 5. Conduct a gap analysis of programs drawing from points 1-4 above; and 6. Provide action-oriented recommendations in term of program offerings as well as metrics and evaluation plans.
Project Methods
Given how little is known about parental absence and the supports available, this research project will be an evolving investigation; it is designed to be iterative. Thus, this initial phase of the research project will be exploratory; as such it will emphasize depth of understanding about the supports and programs available and the needs and perceptions of the military families with a parental absence. Simply put, this phase is about understanding what is available, to whom, and who is using it. The next phase may involve the evaluative ability of specific programs or the adaptation of civilian interventions. Another later phase may involve outcome evaluations. To achieve the goals of this project, we propose utilizing a systematic process involving specific steps aligned. Step 1. Meet with project partners and identify two-three installations to begin the support and program identification process. As a part of step one, conduct a literature review. Step 2. Develop and test an identification process: Conduct interviews with military command, military family readiness staff, school-building administration, as well as community organization serving families and children from a variety of sectors to identify supports and programs; Conduct searches on web; Contact chamber of commerce and local organizations serving family and youth. Step 3. Conduct focus groups with parents and students related to identifying programs, their needs, their perceptions of programs and supports, the challenges accessing those programs and supports. Step 4. Analyze the data from Steps 1-3 and provide a summary report of findings thus far. Revise research protocols based on the lessons learned. Step 5: Conduct another round of data collection with 5-10 installations. The systematic process for identifying supports and programs ensures: 1. consistency of data collection; 2. utilization of comprehensive and objective processes; and 3. the identification of common themes to provide a clear future direction. Each step in this process involves discussion time with partners and feedback loops to ensure that the products being developed meet their needs.