Innovative Approaches for Broadening the
Reach and Appeal Of Prevention
Meg Small
The Prevention Seminar
September 9, 2009
Overall Goal
“To equip young people with skills, interests, assets, and
health habits needed to live healthy, happy, and productive
lives in caring relationships that strengthen the social fabric.”
Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among
Young People: Progress and Possibilities
Institute of Medicine, 2009
Prevention Research
Translation
Effectiveness
Trials
Efficacy
Trials
Etiology
While hundreds of EBPs are
available, fewer than 1% of
providers & families utilize them
Jensen, 2003
Type II Translation
• The primary goal of Type
II translation is to
institutionalize evidencebased programs,
products, and services
(Rohrbach, et al., 2006)
• Research aimed at
enhancing the adoption of
best practices in the
community (NIH)
New Ideas for Translation
New Methods
A prototyping lab inspired
by a spirit
of experimentation, agility,
and collaboration.
New Roles
•
•
•
•
The Anthropologist
The Cross-Pollinator
The Hurdler
The Experience Architect
Family Wellness Centers:
A T2 Strategy for
Diffusing
Evidence-based
Prevention
Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, Director
SPR 2009
Families experience predictable,
developmentally linked
challenges
Common problems
can derail families’ healthy
development & quality of life
Families access resources
that are unlikely to provide
long-term benefits, or they
engage high-priced experts
Self-help books
Pediatrician
Therapy
Each condition shares
risk & protective factors.
Bullying
Obesity
Divorce
Alcohol
Drugs
HIV
Routine
exercise
http://www.gccf.ucla.edu/Family_Coaching_2.pdf
Emotional Climate
Structure
•Discipline
•Monitoring
•Warmth
•Openness
•Low conflict
•Encouragement
Time Together
•Guidance &Skill
Development
•Fun & Play
Communication
Parent-Child
Connectedness
Adapted from: ETR Associates, 2004
•Routines and
Traditions
The importance and difficulty of parenting today and the
need for tools (not just information)
Information Overload

Overwhelming amount of
parenting information

Parents are trusting their
instincts

Parents seek information
consistent with their
instincts

Traditional information
leads to action approach
doesn’t work
Taking research and making it approachable and
easy to use
Design Matters

Credibility is reflected
in design

May be more effective
for behavior to
proceed information

Parents want to be
connected to people

Parents want tools and
expect customization
Emotional Climate
Structure
•Discipline
•Monitoring
•Warmth
•Openness
•Low conflict
•Encouragement
Time Together
•Guidance &Skill
Development
•Fun & Play
Communication
Parent-Child
Connectedness
Adapted from: ETR Associates, 2004
•Routines and
Traditions
“Sterile” Email Exchange
Fridge Email Exchange
• “Unintentional learning” – not just fun for fun’s sake
Social Games
Skill Development Games
Problem Solving Games
• Age appropriate
• Can earn points for completing games, progressing to higher level in game, etc.
• Each child has own GROCERY SHOPPING page with
pre-approved list of items to choose from and add to the
“grocery cart”
Moms Says Pick 2 Fruits
• Other features
Printable list
Scavenger hunt for the store
Coupons/Promotions for mom
Mobile device
Earn points for trying new things
Kids feedback on new items
“Build my Lunch/Dinner/Snack”
Recipe/Meal suggestions
Moms Says Pick 1 Dessert
Increase Connections to Others

Promote local programs

Create communities around targeted applications
or topics
◦ Suggest or create applications
◦ Create communities based on interests, geography, age

Provide a mechanism for experts to connect using
media rich tools
◦ Highlight great examples
◦ Share their experience and how
they apply professional knowledge
Two Lions