A qualitative study to explore paraprofessionals' role in school-based prevention and early intervention mental health services

Journal of Community Psychology
Dana RuschMarc S Atkins

Abstract

This study explored the role of paraprofessionals within a school-based prevention and early intervention program to promote children's engagement in learning and positive parenting practices. Study aims were designed to understand how paraprofessionals perceive their role in high-need communities and how they define their work within schools. Two focus groups were conducted with school family liaisons (SFLs) during the 2015-2016 school year. Transcribed audio recordings were coded using thematic analysis wherein 2 authors coded independently, followed by audited discussion and final consensus codes. SFLs acknowledged the importance of serving high-need communities and relationship building was central to their role. They leveraged contextual knowledge (culture, language, and neighborhood) to engage parents, allowing them to serve as effective advocates for parents/families in the school setting. Findings support the importance of paraprofessionals in prevention-focused services and highlight how leveraging shared experiences and prioritizing relationship building facilitates their work as advocates within schools.

References

Feb 28, 2002·Mental Health Services Research·W A Vega, S R Lopez
Aug 31, 2002·The American Journal of Psychiatry·Sheryl H KataokaKenneth B Wells
Mar 5, 2003·The American Psychologist·Celia B FisherLuis H Zayas
Dec 23, 2003·British Journal of Community Nursing·June Rogers
Jun 23, 2004·Community Mental Health Journal·Myla E HarrisonWilliam M Bannon
Aug 31, 2004·American Journal of Public Health·Frances E Kuo, Andrea Faber Taylor
Dec 14, 2004·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Larke HuangDiane Jacobstein
May 4, 2005·Archives of General Psychiatry·Yange XueFelton J Earls
Sep 22, 2005·The American Psychologist·Larke HuangSteve Mayberg
Mar 2, 2006·American Journal of Public Health·Zhihuan Jennifer HuangRebecca Ledsky
Mar 7, 2007·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Stacy L FrazierMarc S Atkins
Dec 1, 2007·American Journal of Public Health·Leda M Pérez, Jacqueline Martinez
Jun 27, 2008·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Elise CappellaCharles Glisson
Dec 17, 2009·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review·Kimberly E HoagwoodRuth Hughes
Dec 30, 2009·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Arlene Rubin StiffmanMarc Atkins
Feb 11, 2010·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Sonja K SchoenwaldHeather Ringeisen
Feb 19, 2010·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Margarita AlegriaWayne Stelk
Feb 25, 2010·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Kelly Kelleher
Mar 24, 2010·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Marc S AtkinsEdward Seidman
Nov 9, 2010·Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America·Margarita AlegriaAndres J Pumariega
Nov 16, 2010·Children and Youth Services Review·S Serene OlinPeter S Jensen
Feb 22, 2012·The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma·Helen Margellos-AnastSteven Whitman
Oct 23, 2012·Journal of Child and Family Studies·Jennifer P WisdomKimberly Hoagwood
Dec 15, 2012·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Marc S Atkins, Davielle Lakind
Nov 28, 2013·American Journal of Community Psychology·Ariel A WilliamsonKirk R Williams
Aug 1, 2011·Journal of Child and Family Studies·James RodriguezPeter S Jensen
Apr 14, 2015·Children and Youth Services Review·Davielle LakindJ Mark Eddy
Jul 15, 2015·Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53·Marc S AtkinsDavielle Lakind
Sep 1, 2011·Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science·Marc S Atkins, Stacy L Frazier
Aug 25, 2015·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Marc S AtkinsDulal Bhaumik
Jul 22, 2017·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Miya L BarnettAnna S Lau
Sep 18, 2018·American Journal of Community Psychology·Erika L GustafsonDana Rusch
Oct 1, 2010·Children and Youth Services Review·Elizabeth H Bringewatt, Elizabeth T Gershoff

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 3, 2019·American Journal of Community Psychology·Tara G MehtaMarc S Atkins
Nov 14, 2019·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Alayna L ParkBruce F Chorpita
Dec 21, 2019·Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53·Davielle LakindMarc S Atkins

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.