A delphi study in oklahoma

Strengthening Families: A Delphi Strengthening Families: A Delphi Study in Oklahoma Study in Oklahoma Southwestern Social Sciences Association Conference Houston, Texas April 1, 2010 Jessica Crowder and Kathleen Romero The Knee Center for Strong Families at The University of Oklahoma Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work The Knee Center for Strong Families The Knee Center for Strong Families Mission: “The Knee Center for Strong Families is dedicated to strengthening families in Oklahoma through research, service, policy, and practice.”  Founded in 2009 through a bequest of Ruth Knee, a social work alumna from the University of Oklahoma Delphi Defined Delphi Defined Model Delphi Study: ◦ Therapists’ Views of Family Life: A Delphi Study  by Linda Stone Fish and Janet L. Osborn at Syracuse University  To examine strengths and weaknesses of families in the U.S. Definition: a procedure that structures a communication process among a group of experts (Linstone & Turoff, 1975)  Characteristics of the Delphi technique: ◦ Feedback of individual responses ◦ Assessment of the group’s view ◦ An opportunity for informants to revise their views ◦ Opportunity to react to and assess differing view points ◦ Anonymity of informants  Informants are selected based on their expertise in the subject matter; not random Fish, L.S. & Osborn, J.L. (1992). Therapists’ views of family life: A delphi study. Family Relations, 41 , 409-416. Survey Participants Survey Participants Our selection procedure: 1. Utilized list of members of the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services agencies in all regions of state (N = 39) 2. Contacted directors to identify key informants within agency 3. Sent Round 1 survey to 38 informants 4. Sent Round 2 survey to 38 informants  Round 1: 21 respondents, 17 completed survey  Round 2: 20 respondents, 18 completed survey Methods Methods  Utilized Survey Monkey  Round 1: Qualitative, open-ended questions Round 2: Rate categorized responses  OU-IRB approval  Limitations of electronic communication ◦ Unable to reach some participants ◦ Some prefer hard copy (was offered by request) Survey Participants Survey Participants By location within Oklahoma Collecting Demographic Information Collecting Demographic Information  Size of community served: Collecting Demographic Information Collecting Demographic Information  Years worked at agency: Collecting Demographic Information Collecting Demographic Information  Position title at agency: Collecting Demographic Information Collecting Demographic Information  Years spent practicing with families: [...]... Oklahoma families? What can The Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work do to assist your agency in strengthening Oklahoma families? Strengths of Family Life in Oklahoma Round One Raw Response Data: ◦ “Many parents work hard to provide economically for their families and are teaching strong morals and values to their children including religious upbringing and training These same families are most...Collecting Demographic Information  Terminal degree(s) held: Round One Survey Questions       What are the current strengths of family life in Oklahoma? What are the current weaknesses of family life in Oklahoma? What are the major threats to family life in Oklahoma in the next decade? What does Oklahoma need to do as a state to strengthen its families? What can your agency do to strengthen Oklahoma. .. Domestic abuse ◦ Lack of employment opportunity ◦ Incarceration of a family member ◦ Lack of programs/resources (particularly in rural areas) ◦ Lack of inpatient care for adolescents ◦ Single-parent homes ◦ Disinterested parents ◦ Lack of care for elderly family members ◦ Child abuse Major Threats to Family Life in Oklahoma in the Next Decade Round One Response Data: ◦ ◦ “The movement to eliminate programs... community action at the grassroots level involving community and reaching the largest population we can.” What the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work Can do to Assist Family-Oriented Agencies in Strengthening Oklahoma Families Round One Response Data: ◦ “Provide our agency with training opportunities and literature that helps us to be better informed of the needs of families in Oklahoma and how... programs and services that work with low income families under the flag of shrinking government.” “Current statistics report that Oklahoma is not doing well on many factors of health including the [incidence] of abuse/neglect and child death Oklahoma must act quickly to attempt to decrease these areas Much of Oklahoma resources are spent on a small area of urban growth downtown with little attention... Questions What are the current strengths of family life in Oklahoma?  What are the current weaknesses of family life in Oklahoma?  What are the major threats to family life in Oklahoma in the next decade?  What does Oklahoma need to do as a state to strengthen its families?  Family Strengths 1 2 3 4 5 Resilience (4.85) Spirituality (4.55) Availability of support systems (4.55) Well-bonded families... extracurricular activities, community events) ◦ Resilience (capacity to overcome hardships) ◦ Value orientation toward family life (placing family life as a priority) ◦ Spirituality (including faith in a higher power, faith community involvement) ◦ Material provisions are met (food and shelter, low cost of living) Weaknesses of Family Life in Oklahoma Round One Response Data: ◦ “Although families are... health Substance abuse/addiction Parental incarceration Domestic violence Lack of health care Lack of adequate employment (underemployment, low wages) State budget reduction of social services Communities that offer more instant gratification activities (such as movies, video game arenas, malls, etc.) than community parks and activities Gang violence Economic downturn Gambling Divorce People having children... family members What Family-Oriented Agencies can do to Strengthen Oklahoma Families Round One Response Data: ◦ “We attempt to engage the entire family in our services This makes it imperative that we engage and empower parents with communication and parenting skills necessary to raise youth in a loving and predictable environment.” ◦ “Create and find funding for prevention programs.” ◦ “Continue focus on... Prevention and intervention efforts for drug and alcohol abuse ◦ Premarital counseling/marriage preparation classes ◦ Reach out to rural communities/provide incentives for utilization of social services in smaller communities Improve efficiency of service delivery systems ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Increase funding for treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues ◦ Provide job training ◦ Care for aging family members . Questions  What are the current strengths of family life in Oklahoma?  What are the current weaknesses of family life in Oklahoma?  What are the major threats to family life in Oklahoma in the. Strengthening Families: A Delphi Strengthening Families: A Delphi Study in Oklahoma Study in Oklahoma Southwestern Social Sciences Association Conference Houston, Texas April 1, 2010 Jessica Crowder. do to assist your agency in strengthening Oklahoma families? Strengths of Family Life in Oklahoma Strengths of Family Life in Oklahoma Round One Raw Response Data: ◦ “Many parents work hard to