The Alaska Head Start Family Wellness Project
Leilani Knight, Family Wellness Coordinator, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Head Start; Bonnie Powell, Family Wellness Facilitator, Chugiak Children Services; and Sally Mead, Director Prevention Associate
The goal of the Alaska Head Start Family Wellness Demonstration Project is to increase the emotional well being of Alaska Head Start children and their families. The project began with a statewide mental health needs assessment in 1993, which led to funding by the Head Start Bureau for a demonstration project- the Family Wellness Project- to address program development needs in the mental health component.
The first year of the 3-year project (1993-1994) involved a planning and design process based on a community development approach. Two Alaska grantees were selected to implement the demonstration project in 1993. In the fall of 1994, two ALaskan grantees- Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Head Start (AIPB) and Chugiak Children Services (Region X) - were funded to implement the project at four selected sites. A contractor, Prevention Associates, provided the program development and coordination.
Year two of the project (1994-1995) implemented the first phase of the project into existing programs. Four Family Wellness Advocates (one for each site), and a Family Wellness Facilitator (for each grantee), were hired to carry out the work on the project.
Over 70 families chose to be a part of the demonstration project. Through family visits, they participated in interventions based on a "resiliency" model of human development and family life. This model stresses a child's own "self-righting" capacity, or the ability to cope, recover from, or adjust to misfortune or change.
The model incorporates two main components:
- It works to reduce organic, social, and environmental factors which place stress on children and their caregivers; and
- It enhances the factors (coping skills, self esteem, family and community support systems) which contribute to a child's ability to overcome detrimental influences.
Intervention focused on three populations:
- Head Start children's parents and family support systems;
- Head Start program staff; and
- Mental health and social service providers at community and regional levels who are resources for Head Start families and staff.
Extensive
training is offered to all staff involved in the project. Thirty Head Start staff members, along with community providers and three Head Start parents, have participated in the training. Key project staff have received six units of college credit as well.
A large part of the success of the demonstration so far is due to the fact that a great deal of time went into the preparation, training, and development of new tools to work in isolated rural programs. Nothing was imposed on the community or families that was unworkable for them. The tools are proving to be successful and user friendly, and are providing valuable information and insight for assisting staff and families in helping themselves.
Although it is too early to judge the impact the project has had on the families, signs so far appear to be positive. An extensive pre- and post-evaluation by Prevention Associates will measure changes in outcome for staff, parents, and children. Community providers will also provide feedback. During year three (1995-1996) the process will be refined based upon this feedback.
-Central Council of Tlingit and Haida, 320 W. Willoughby, Juneau, AK 99801; Chugiak Children's Services, Inc., PO Box 670233, Chugiack, AK 99567; and Prevention Associates, 101 E. 9th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501.
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