Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a significant public health concern, disproportionately affecting minoritized and impoverished youth and contributing to early substance use and long-term health inequities. The THRIVE Study, funded by NIDA, evaluates GRIT (Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families), a psychoeducational intervention designed to teach self-regulation and healthy habits to adolescents aged 11–14 and their caregivers. What sets THRIVE apart is its innovative recruitment and intervention model created by the Centering Youth and Families for Empowerment and Resilience (CYFER) Lab: near-peer Youth Ambassadors collaborate with adult Community Health Workers (CHWs) to engage participants, deliver community education, and support the facilitation of intervention sessions. This approach fosters trust, cultural relevance, and sustained engagement. GRIT is being tested in a randomized controlled trial (GRIT vs. digital citizenship control) with 210 adolescent-caregiver dyads. Lessons learned from implementation include successful online mobilization, creation of culturally and contextually relevant content, engaging psychoeducational presentations, and community connection through youth-centered events. Participation also promotes positive youth development among ambassadors. This model reimagines SBCC by centering youth voice, peer connection, and community-rooted resilience strategies to disrupt adversity-driven health trajectories.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a significant public health concern, disproportionately affecting minoritized and impoverished youth and contributing to early substance use and long-term health inequities. The THRIVE Study, funded by NIDA, evaluates GRIT (Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families), a psychoeducational intervention designed to teach self-regulation and healthy habits to adolescents aged 11–14 and their caregivers. What sets THRIVE apart is its innovative recruitment and intervention model created by the Centering Youth and Families for Empowerment and Resilience (CYFER) Lab: near-peer Youth Ambassadors collaborate with adult Community Health Workers (CHWs) to engage participants, deliver community education, and support the facilitation of intervention sessions. This approach fosters trust, cultural relevance, and sustained engagement. GRIT is being tested in a randomized controlled trial (GRIT vs. digital citizenship control) with 210 adolescent-caregiver dyads. Lessons learned from implementation include successful online mobilization, creation of culturally and contextually relevant content, engaging psychoeducational presentations, and community connection through youth-centered events. Participation also promotes positive youth development among ambassadors. This model reimagines SBCC by centering youth voice, peer connection, and community-rooted resilience strategies to disrupt adversity-driven health trajectories.
Foyer Americas International Social and Behavior Change Communication Summit info@sbccsummit.orgTechnical Issues?
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