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PAL Assessment Study

PAL Assessment Study. Center for Adolescent Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health August 30, 2004 Cheryl Alexander, PhD Anita Chandra, MPH Nital Subhas, MPH For more information : Please call 410.614.3953 or visit www.jhsph.edu/adolescenthealth. Overview of Presentation.

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PAL Assessment Study

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  1. PAL Assessment Study Center for Adolescent Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health August 30, 2004 Cheryl Alexander, PhD Anita Chandra, MPH Nital Subhas, MPH For more information: Please call 410.614.3953 or visit www.jhsph.edu/adolescenthealth

  2. Overview of Presentation • Introduction to PAL Assessment Study • Youth at PAL- Overview of Questionnaire Findings • Discussion of Findings, Recommendations, and Next Steps • Academic Programming • Teen Involvement • Community Development • Summary • Question & Answer

  3. PAL Assessment Study • Purpose: To examine the operations and characteristics of the PAL program and its participants • PAL, Inc. requested JHU Center for Adolescent Health to conduct study in Fall 2001 • Study consisted of two phases: • Program Description Phase • Youth Phase

  4. Program Description Phase • Program Description Phase (October 2002-June 2003) • Interviews with PAL police staff and questionnaire in 17 sites • Total of 43 staff interviews conducted: • 16 Lead Police Officers • 13 Second Police Officers • 9 Community Service Officers • 3 Program Coordinators • 2 AmeriCorps staff • 8 sites received more intensive assessment - also had non-police interviews and 4-day site observations

  5. Youth Phase • Youth Phase (April 2003- November 2003) • Questionnaires to youth participants at nine sites • Total of 255 youth participated • Questionnaire gathered information about: • Youth background (age, sex, parent education, etc.) • Youth experience at PAL • Youth health risking behaviors

  6. Youth at PAL • Who are the youth that participated in the study? • 67% of respondents between 10-13 years old; 91% African American • High attachment to school, 47% want to finish college • How do youth feel about their PAL experience? • Overall positive experience at PAL (made new friends, makes them feel good about themselves, improved grades, made them want to go to school more often) • Most youth agree that the PAL staff provide encouragement, offer attention, and serve as a source of support in an emergency

  7. Youth at PAL (cont.) • What are some of the health risking behaviors that youth report involvement? • Older girls (14-17 years old) report frequent sexual activity (46%) in the last 3 months • Large percentage of younger boys (10-13 years old) report drinking alcohol (25%) in the last month and having sex (62%) in the last 3 months • How does PAL have an impact on youth? • Improved academic skills • Help with character development (e.g. change in attitudes)

  8. Academic Programming • Younger children are more likely to participate in homework time, while older children are in open play or sports • Major staff concern is providing one-on-one assistance with homework, especially for younger children • Staff describes training needs, including: • Working with classroom teachers • Helping kids during homework time • Volunteers are helpful with homework but it is a challenge to attract and retain

  9. Academic Programming: Recommendations & Next Steps • Provide training for PAL staff on academic subjects for middle and high school students • Develop closer connections between PAL staff and classroom teachers Next Steps • Invite area schools to visit PAL Center • Arrange for meetings with classroom teachers on key subjects

  10. Academic Programming: Recommendations & Next Steps (cont.) • Highlight academic tutoring and support as a priority in volunteer recruitment Next Steps • Partner with local high schools and colleges to recruit volunteers for academic tutoring- academic credit is a plus • Incorporate educational opportunities to supplement homework activities • Employ a mental health or behavioral consultant to PAL staff(e.g. issues such as ADHD) Next Steps • Explore internship/training opportunities at PAL Centers for students in social work, psychology

  11. Teen Involvement • Teen recruitment and retention is a major challenge • Low numbers of older girls- less interested in activities offered at PAL (e.g. sports) • Limited activities targeted to older adolescents, such as: • College preparation • Job skills development • Teen discussion groups (e.g. “rap” sessions)

  12. Teen Involvement: Recommendations & Next Steps • Offer more activities that will appeal to older girls • Provide staff training and support on teen recruitment and retention Next Steps • Include training on working with older youth to meet their unique needs, such as developing health-related programming • Incorporate training on designing programs that attract and retain older youth

  13. Teen Involvement: Recommendations & Next Steps (cont.) • Prioritize youth involvement in implementing program activities Next Steps • Convene youth focus groups to determine what activities youth want to design and implement • Involve youth in local advisory boards and/or on the PAL board for leadership development • Emphasize peer support in activities, such as mentoring between older and younger youth

  14. Community Development • Overall family perceptions of police have improved because of PAL, but some community members still have a distrust of police officers • Recruitment of parents and volunteers on a more consistent basis is a concern • Facilities vary in terms of indoor and outdoor space, sites with community donors tend to have better equipment (e.g. computers, updated books and magazines)

  15. Community Development: Recommendations & Next Steps • Identify community development as a top priority area for PAL Next Steps • Explore funding opportunities, including government grants and community donors • Expand visibility in communities surrounding PAL (e.g. through schools, churches, recreational centers, and other community agencies) • Provide staff support in parent outreach Next Steps • Identify ways to involve parents in PAL activities, including offering space for parent programs before or after PAL hours

  16. Community Development: Recommendations & Next Steps (cont.) • Increase volunteer involvement Next Steps • Partner with local high schools and colleges to recruit volunteers (academic credit, community service hours are helpful incentives) • Work with local churches, businesses, and other community organizations to advertise volunteer opportunities

  17. Summary • PAL centers provide safe and supportive environments for young people • Police officers struggle with how to meet diverse needs of youth (i.e. age range, gender) with limited staff and resources • Priority areas identified are: • Academic assistance • Programs and opportunities that attract high school students to PAL • Strategies for engaging parents, interested adults, and community organizations as PAL partners • Leverage existing resources in Baltimore to help support PAL

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