The Circles of Care evaluation: doing participatory evaluation with American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Little information exists regarding mental health and special needs related to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI-AN) families. In this paper we emphasize the use of oral tradition during the Circles of Care initiative, which was essential in understanding cultural history and historical trauma of AI-ANs while giving a greater understanding of an AI-AN-based definition of severe emotional disturbance (SED). The success of these methods serves as a template for improving systems of care and may be useful in evaluation among a wide range of ethnic communities.
Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins 80523, USA. pjthurman@aol.com
Pamela
P
Jumper Thurman
James
J
Allen
Pamela B
PB
Deters
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D006289:Health Planning Support; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States