Building on Strong Foundations: Deploying Enhanced Replicating Effective Programs for evidence-based prevention...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Interventions
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Schools face challenges adapting new interventions for emerging public health issues like adversity exposure, exacerbated by COVID-19.
• Adversity exposure is linked to increased risks for substance use disorders and mental illnesses.
• Existing universal, evidence-based interventions require adaptation to incorporate trauma-sensitive content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine critical steps in adapting the Michigan Model for Health (MMH) with trauma-sensitive content.
• To utilize the Enhanced Replicating Effective Programs (REP) implementation strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To inform a group randomized trial pilot study through usability testing.

Main Methods:

• Applied implementation adaptation frameworks to integrate trauma-sensitive content.
• Conducted usability testing with teachers and validated findings with health coordinators.
• Employed rapid qualitative analysis and documented the adaptation process through field notes.

Main Results:

• Developed an adapted MMH curriculum incorporating trauma-sensitive elements (content addition, tailoring, substitution, reinforcement).
• Adaptations focused on retaining the core functional elements of the original MMH intervention.
• Usability testing and member checking refined the curriculum for enhanced utility and relevance.

Conclusions:

• Adapting evidence-based interventions like MMH with trauma-sensitive content is a viable strategy to address youth adversity.
• The Enhanced REP strategy facilitates the adaptation and implementation of interventions for improved public health outcomes.
• Building foundational relationships and infrastructure is key for successful intervention adaptation and user testing.