Project Description:
The purpose of this project is to support the development and implementation of a healthy relationship and sexual health component within the Bridges to Career program during the summers of 2015 - 2023. This component is innovative in that it addresses gaps and needs of the priority population. The short-term outputs will include: 1) program implementation utilizing lessons learned from past cohorts, 2) a trained and competent implementation team, 3) a trained and competent support network within B2C, and 4) proposals to expand the program. 5) During the FY22 we identified ways to facilitate the program online and with fluidity due to COVID19 challenges. Fall 2022 expenses include booster preparation and implementation in 5 sessions. All booster sessions were refined from the previous booster lesson plans. Each session required preparation and materials. Two facilitators were provided to meet the needs of the participants and the size of the group. Leadership and oversight was provided by Drs. McNeill and Wilson. Aggie ACHIEVE was added as a program component within the Bridges to Career program during the summer of 2023. This component increases the knowledge and skills for the development of healthy relationships among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The short-term outputs will include: 1) program implementation that contributes to health promoting behaviors, 2) a trained and competent implementation team, 3) a trained and competent support network with B2C, 4) build personal and social competence, 5) Summer 2023 expenses include preparation and implementation in 4 sessions. Two to three facilitators were provided to meet the needs of the participants and the size of the group.
Description of the Project:
Background: During the summer of 2015, the Texas A&M University Health Promotion office and Bridges to Career personnel partnered to integrate sexual health lessons into the program. Informal feedback from both partners indicated this was a needed and desired improvement and should be offered in subsequent summers. The Bridge to Career participants were engaged and responsive to the lessons being taught; therefore, action was sought to continue the addition of the healthy relationships and sexual health program component for the FY22. Health Education faculty were consulted on what would be required to develop a program that would incorporate sexual health issues and meet the needs of the Bridges to Career program. The team developed a work plan to implement a needs assessment phase which included a review of existing sexual health programs and a structured review of existing literature related to sexual health programs for individuals with disabilities. The summer of 2018 fiscal year focused on lesson and booster session refinement for implementation. During the summer of 2019, we will replicate the lessons with the trained and competent implementation team. Additionally, we will focus on training needs for new facilitators of the healthy relationship curriculum. Ensuring the program is sustainable continues to be a focus. In 2019, we added additional sessions on internet safety and relationships. In 2020, all facilitators are working on translating the program from a face to face experience to online due to COVID19 challenges. Finally, in 2021, the program was facilitated with the priority population in a face to face venue and the implementation team was trained and ready to facilitate online should the program need to be adjusted in that fashion.
Needs Assessment Findings:
Review of the program was conducted utilizing feedback from stakeholders and facilitators as the program was implemented. A training plan was developed to meet the needs of the health education facilitators as well as the B2C staff, as needed.
Minor modifications were made to meet participants' needs during the summer (program) and fall (program booster). Significant modifications have been made to the program in order to facilitate the program online, as deemed necessary. Participants' needs were taken into consideration with each modification made.
Innovativeness:
This program is innovative in that it identifies program gaps that currently exist and the additional program components will address needs of the target population. The relationships and sexual health programs developed for individuals with disabilities are scant, especially for a young adult population, and those that incorporate the concept of healthy relationships in the career setting are narrowed even more. In 2021, the team was prepared and able to make accommodate for restrictions due to the COVID19 pandemic.
Outputs: The funds in this proposal will support the efforts of the program planning team. The short term outputs will include the following: 1) program lesson plans that can be carried out this summer and scaled with other programs, 2) trained and competent implementation team, 3) trained and comment support network within B2C, and 4 proposals to expand the program.
Name of Co-PIs:
Kelly L. Wilson, PhD, MCHES Elisa Beth McNeill, PhD, CHES
Partners Involved in the Project:
Health and Kinesiology Faculty Kelly L. Wilson, PhD, MCHES Elisa Beth McNeill, PhD, CHES
Center on Disability and Development: Meagan Orsag, PhD PATHS Program: Tracy Glass
Health Education Doctoral Students: Sara Flores, Caitlin Ballard Holden, MS, CHES, Ashley Kankaham, MEd & Fahad Ibrahim Bin Radhyan, MS, & Sara Vera, MEd
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other
