title: Improving implementation of mental health services for trauma in multicultural elementary schools: stakeholder perspectives on parent and educator engagement.
abstract: Although more schools are offering mental health programs, few studies have involved the school community in research to improve their successful implementation. In this community-partnered study, focus groups were conducted with school staff and parents to explore issues related to community engagement and feasibility of a mental health intervention for elementary school students exposed to trauma. Four educator focus groups, including 23 participants, and 2 parent focus groups, consisting of 9 Spanish-speaking and 7 English-speaking parents were conducted. Participants discussed facilitators and barriers to successful implementation of the program. Participants identified the importance of pre-implementation parent education, raising awareness of the impact of student mental health among educators, maintaining ongoing communication during the intervention, and addressing logistical concerns. Participants described clear considerations for parent and educator engagement, both at the pre-implementation phase and during implementation of the program. Implications for next steps of this community-partnered approach are described.
authors.affiliation: UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, 760 Westwood Plaza, Rm 67-447, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. alangley@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Audra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: Catherine DeCarlo
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zelaya
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010290:Parents; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students