Project Description:
The specific focus of EPSCOR funding regarding CHD involvement, was to prepare proposals to apply for funding from federal agencies for Seeds of Change.
Alaska Seeds of Change (SOC) combines the guidelines and practices of a SAMHSA evidence-supported approach to working with transition-age youth and young adults who have emotional and behavioral disorders, the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) model, with programmatic elements of a successful positive youth development program (The Food Project of Boston). Based on these underpinnings, SOC will offer a variety of learning and experiential opportunities for participants, with the ultimate goal of increasing capacity to be productive, socially-minded, healthy citizens likely to succeed in areas of family, work, and society. SOC participants will be involved in running all aspects of a social enterprise hydroponic greenhouse operation, and will have the opportunity to assume increasingly responsible positions of leadership within a community of peers and adults. Specific Aim1: Conduct a pilot study utilizing pre-post and periodic assessments to determine intermediate levels of impact and short-term outcomes. It is anticipated the program will enroll about 20 participants (age 17-22) for the pilot. Tracking progress will be measured at entry, quarterly, and at exit using the Transition to Adulthood Program Information System. In addition, participants will fill out pre-post measures of job skill self-efficacy, and self-assessments on levels of job skills and importance of job skills. The latter will be compared with observation assessments completed by staff. Specific Aim 2: Conduct a formative assessment to demonstrate the feasibility of delivering the proposed program model and its acceptability to the target population. Formative assessment will use the TIP Case Study Protocol for Continuing System Improvement, including a measure of fidelity to the TIP model, as well as information from document reviews, interviews, and surveys of youth, caregivers, and service providers. A preliminary cost analysis will also be conducted. Specific Aim 3: Prepare for the next level of research. It is anticipated the next study will involve a comparison-group design (with matched pairs if possible). The study will increase the number of participants, continue formative assessment, continue impact assessment in a more longitudinal design, and examine the potential influence of variables such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, education, and urban versus rural residence. Additional variables and areas of study may be suggested by results of the pilot study.
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
