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The Diffusion of Youth‐Led Participatory Research in Urban Schools: The Role of the Prevention Support System in Implementation and Sustainability
Author(s) -
Ozer Emily J.,
Cantor Jeremy P.,
Cruz Gary W.,
Fox Brian,
Hubbard Elizabeth,
Moret Lauren
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-008-9173-0
Subject(s) - general partnership , participatory action research , public relations , public health , community based participatory research , sustainability , focus group , diffusion of innovations , sociology , citizen journalism , medical education , capacity building , political science , medicine , nursing , social science , ecology , anthropology , law , biology
This article discusses the dissemination of a process of youth‐led participatory research in urban secondary schools within the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF) developed in collaboration with the CDC and its university partners (Wandersman et al. American Journal of Community Psychology , 41(3–4) 2008). The focus here is on the development of the Prevention Support System with respect to general and innovation‐specific capacity building. The specific process under study involves youth‐led needs assessment and research to inform the planning of prevention programs and policies to address students' health and developmental needs. The article first briefly describes the youth‐led research process, its potential benefits, and a case example in two urban secondary schools. It then describes challenges and responses in providing support for the diffusion of this model in 6 secondary schools. The settings are urban public schools with a majority of students of color from diverse ethnic groups: Asian‐American, Latino, and African‐American. This project constitutes a collaborative partnership with a university school of public health and community‐based organizations (CBOs) to build capacity for long‐term, sustainable implementation of this innovative process within the local school system. The perspectives of the university‐based researcher and the CBO partners on the development and effectiveness of the Prevention Support System are presented.