scholarly journals A Community-Based System Dynamics Study of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 25-25
Author(s):  
Cal Halvorsen ◽  
Kelsey Werner ◽  
Elizabeth McColloch
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Workforce Training ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Employment Program ◽  
Service Employment

Abstract The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal workforce-training program that targets older adults, engages people aged 55 years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined SCSEP’s role in participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. To do so, we held five sessions (four virtual, one telephone) over a combined nine hours in August and September 2020 using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics with 15 Massachusetts SCSEP participants and case managers. Through structured activities, respondents identified how program, policy, and organizational factors influence and are influenced by participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation results in less social isolation, decreased isolation subsequently increases desire to participate) as well as program and policy recommendations to strengthen the program (e.g., reconsider benchmarks of success). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

scholarly journals Participatory Research With Older Workers in a Pandemic: Innovations and Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 256-256
Author(s):  
Cal Halvorsen ◽  
Kelsey Werner ◽  
Elizabeth McColloch
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Workforce Training ◽  
Future Research ◽  
History Of ◽  
Federal Workforce

Abstract In the spring of 2020, and as the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic became increasingly dire, in-person studies halted throughout the world. This included our planned study to examine the role of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)—the sole federal workforce training program for low-income older adults—in influencing participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. While our original plans were to hold a series of in-person workshops with SCSEP participants and case managers using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics (CBSD), we paused the launch of our study to determine the safest path forward. This presentation will describe how we responded as well as innovations and implications for future research with harder to reach populations. First, we met with the Massachusetts state SCSEP director to assess the feasibility of moving our sessions online with this particular population. After determining that virtual and telephone sessions would both be needed to increase accessibility, we identified virtual whiteboard software rigorous enough to utilize CBSD-specific activities, user-friendly enough for populations less familiar with virtual environments, and with security features that would be approved by our university, as well as discussed what types of activities to conduct on the telephone for such a visual research method. Our CBSD study was one of the first to utilize virtual and telephone formats in the history of this method, and our results indicate that it is possible—and sometimes beneficial—to move in-person participatory methods to these environments to increase inclusion and efficiency.

Evaluation of a Community-Based Participatory Research Consortium From the Perspective of Academics and Community Service Providers Focused on Child Health and Well-Being

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayne R. Pivik ◽  
Hillel Goelman
Keyword(s):  
Community Service ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Shared Commitment ◽  
Health And Well Being

A process evaluation of a consortium of academic researchers and community-based service providers focused on the health and well-being of children and families provides empirical and practice-based evidence of those factors important for community-based participatory research (CBPR). This study draws on quantitative ratings of 33 factors associated with CBPR as well as open-ended questions addressing the benefits, facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for collaboration. Eight distinct but related studies are represented by 10 academic and 9 community researchers. Even though contextual considerations were identified between the academic and community partners, in large part because of their focus, organizational mandate and particular expertise, key factors for facilitating collaboration were found across groups. Both community and academic partners reported the following as very important for positive collaborations: trust and mutual respect; adequate time; shared commitment, decision making, and goals; a memorandum of understanding or partnership agreement; clear communication; involvement of community partners in the interpretation of the data and information dissemination; and regular meetings. The results are compared to current models of collaboration across different contexts and highlight factors important for CBPR with community service providers.

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