| Lessons learned about ways to integrate HCI training into the Head Start program: |
| Theme 1—Sharing results and information helps to engage all stakeholders |
•Engaging program leadership through “participant feedback and data collection.”
•Presentation of findings at Health Services Advisory Committee
•“Explaining (to staff) the rationale and importance of the training.”
•“Sharing the results (with staff). They understand that the training is making a difference and are committed to supporting it.”
•Explaining and encouraging parents to become knowledgeable concerning their child's health.”
•“Parents share their experience with other parents, which creates the excitement for the program.”
•“It is all how it is advertised and we use marketing strategies to interest and engage families.”
•“…provided (community partners) the information about the impact from the statistics you (HCI) have sent to us.”
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| Theme 2—Making HCI part of the routine program operations |
•Staff: “Made it a part of job requirement.”; “All of the staff are overwhelmed with their job duties and I do not want to ask them to do something that will add to their work load.”
•Families: Continue to provide family incentives—books, door prizes, food.
•Community Partners: “We do have community partners that donate items and give discounts on our meals that we provide.”; “Once community partners "buy in" to the program, they continue to support us. Also in not hitting up the same partners year after year....we are able to keep it "local" and to spread the wealth.”
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| Theme 3-- Perceived impacts on participants at all levels: increased knowledge and confidence, more appropriate use of health care services. |
•Staff: “The staff involved have a much better understanding of how to empower parents in their child's care.”; “They use the book in the classroom before calling a nurse and when talking to parents.”; “I think we look at the written information that we provide parents differently.”; “Staff have been impacted in the way they react to their own children’s illnesses. They have also been impacted by the way they talk with parents about children’s illnesses and the way they inform or direct parents in the care for their children.”
•Parents/families: “They are empowered to not use the emergency room as their medical home.”; “There seems to be less absence of children.”; “We also know that our veteran parents who have moved to state preschool and/or elementary school continue to be involved in their new schools.”
•Community: “More aware of the health needs of our low-income families. More connection to our program since they sometimes visit our sites and meet our parents and their children.”; “Support from medical providers has increased participation on the Health Advisory Committee.”; “More understanding of the comprehensive services we offer to families.”
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