Co-designing the Family Wellbeing Program to Address Mental Health Disparities in a Latino Community: Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Disparities
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Underserved Latino caregivers of young children face heightened vulnerability to mental health issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Latino families experienced unique and compounding stressors during the pandemic, increasing risk for adverse mental health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Family Wellbeing Program (FWP), designed to bolster the mental health of Latino caregivers.
• To improve Latino caregivers' access to mental health support services and providers.
• To identify implementation strategies for the FWP using the RE-AIM framework.

Main Methods:

• Co-development and implementation of the FWP by a university research team and a federally qualified health center.
• Application of community-based participatory research principles.
• Pre- and post-implementation focus groups with staff, analyzed using the RE-AIM framework.

Main Results:

• Staff identified pandemic-related and socioenvironmental challenges impacting program reach and participation among Latino families.
• Perceived improvements in caregiver help-seeking behaviors were noted, alongside suggestions for program enhancement.
• Staff discussed strategies for sustaining future programming and addressing implementation challenges.

Conclusions:

• Identified implementation strategies, guided by RE-AIM dimensions, can enhance Latino caregiver participation in future FWP adaptations.
• This research offers promising implications for sustaining programs aimed at reducing mental health disparities among Latino caregivers.