Alliance: Communicating Effectively with Youth about Support Service Information: NYC Teen Health Maps
Communicating Effectively with Youth about Support Service Information: NYC Teen Health Maps
Utilizing the P-process for Developing Effective Communication CampaignsThe P-Process, a framework for guiding the design and execution of effective health communication, guides this multiphase project .
Briefly, the P-Process includes five steps: 1) analysis, 2) strategic design, 3) development and testing, 4) implementation and monitoring, and 5) evaluation and replanning (ibid).
Development of the NYC Teen Health Map
After careful planning and Institutional Review Board approval, The Alliance initiated this project in February, 2006 when researchers organized four focus groups with local teens to determine an effective means for developing and distributing resource information to young people. Specifically, the focus group discussions covered questions on options for people who seek help for violence in their lives, questions about the effectiveness of existing resource materials, and suggestions for improvement.
Focus group participants suggested a range of formats for developing youth-specific resources, including wallet cards, key chains, bookmarks, classroom posters, refrigerator magnets, and school folders or academic planners. Youth emphasized that the more functional and practical the product, the more likely they are to keep it and use it in the future. [[1] Read the focus group report (pdf)] [[2] Read the focus group guide (pdf)]
The design team at the Alliance used this information to develop a Z-CARDTM referral tool. The Z-card we designed is a foldable pocket subway map on one side and comprehensive adolescent-friendly services resource guide on the back. This pilot Z-card called the NYC Teen Health Map was distributed to four high schools and several youth-serving organizations in NYC in the Spring of 2007.
Evaluation
The initial implementation and monitoring was followed soon-after by a qualitative evaluation of the cards’ utility and appeal by students who received the maps. Three focus groups were held to find out the effectiveness of the NYC Teen Health Map as a resource tool and to learn what changes the youth would make to the maps.Based on findings from this evaluation, the NYC Teen Health Map will be revised and reprinted and distributed to youth across the city. [[3] Download the evaluation (pdf)] [[4] Read the final evaluation report (pdf)]
[1]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/media/research/communications_1_report.pdf
[2]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/media/research/communications_1_guide.pdf
[3]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/media/research/communications_1_evaluation.pdf
[4]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/media/research/communications_1_final.pdf
Copyright © 2000-2008 by The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault