Innovating for Equity with Immigrant and Refugee Communities::

A Framework for Linking Evidence, Culture and Community-Based Research

Elizabeth CarrollExecutive MPA

Mark O. Hatfield School of Government

Portland State UniversityJune 2014

1. Research Problem/Problems with Research

2. Research Framework

3. Findings

4. Program Design

5. Next Steps to Implement

6. Reflections

Project Review

PROBLEM:Our current “evidence-based” early childhood home visiting program is not a good ‘fit’ for at- risk immigrant and refugee families.

HOW do we culturally adapt/ design a new program from scratch that supports optimal and equitable outcomes?

Clear options?

Proven programProven

program

Proven program

Focus groups: What works here?

Initial Research Approach: What Works?

© your company name. All rights reserved. Title of your presentation

Link: New Program!

Culturally-basedEvidence-

based

Community-based

RIPL Framework:

Final Capstone Project:

Provides needed validation and funding…

cultural alignment is unknown

“Best Practice” Research:

RESEARCH:Evidence

Culturally-Based Research:

Critical to understanding cultural aspects and disparities… But

Methodology, complex findings, gaps, limited funding

IDENTIFY(culture)

IDENTIFY:Culture

Community-based research:

Empowers the community to own and define the problem and the solutions & help sift through other research findings…BUT may not be sufficient on its own, (especially re: funding)

PROBE:Community

The RIPL Framework:

1. RESEARCH:Evidence of Best

Practice

2. IDENTIFY:Cultural

Alignment

3. PROBE:Community

Colaboration

4. LINK:For Innovation

© your company name. All rights reserved. Title of your presentation

LINK:For InnovationSample Recommendations:

1. Priority for Service: foreign-born parents, ELL, severe trauma, health problems or disabilities and child < age 2

2. Home visitors will serve families in their native language (not interpreters for most services)

3. Multi-disciplinary team : lay Home Visitors, nurse, mental health provider, English teachers

4. Parental stress is primary focus, addressed through multiple culturally-informed strategies

Next Steps:Finish Stakeholder interviews

Approval from MCHD leadershipFinish operationalizing strategiesFinalize new data collection and

evaluation planIdentify contractor

PILOT NEW PROGRAM

Reflections: Leadership Lessons Learned

Partnerships with public universities can significantly improve data collection and research, that is critical to policy-advocacy

Empowering communities/community-based contractors with relevant information needed to generate meaningful input is critical in designing culturally-responsive programs

Public services that are “best practice” for US-born families can be ineffective or cause harm to I/R communities-leading to poor outcomes

Be ready to seize the opportunity to create sustainable innovations that improve equity!

Many Thanks!

Drs. Nishishiba and Morgan for your expert capstone guidance

My entire PSU EMPA academic family for sharing your love of learning and public service, so many amazing experiences in DC and Asia, and for generously sharing your incredibly diverse knowledge and skills with me

Multnomah County Early Childhood Directors, Rachael Banks and Jessica Guernsey for your confidence in me, your flexibility and the many new challenges you continue to so gthoughtfully offer

Jewel Robinson, Monique Allen, Kathleen Pequeno, Emily Hyde and Beth Crane for fueling my journey with your, humor, support, and friendship

My 6 brothers and sisters who have cheered my way through

My son, Chris whom I hope to inspire, and look forward to spending time with again

I dedicate this Capstone Project to my mother, Dolores and father, Dr. Daniel B. Carroll, who both taught me at a young age to love books, study and work hard, serve others, and always to take time to smell the roses.