RESEARCH AND CONSULTING

The Population Health Fund of the Public Health Agency of Canada has provided three years of funding (2005-2008) for a national project with partners in Ontario, B.C. and Manitoba to research and implement best practices in adapting violence prevention programs for Aboriginal youth.

The project is based on the principle that varied communities throughout the country must have input into the cultural adaptation of violence prevention programs for Aboriginal youth. This will be facilitated by an emphasis on youth engagement among the participants involved. Specific community needs will be addressed by local partners at four different sites: London, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Bella Coola.

THREE YEAR OVERVIEW

the first year, a needs assessment was conducted to determine what gaps exist in current programs for Aboriginal youth and to document strategies, successes, and challenges in youth engagement. As well, local and national advisory committees were established and the process of adaptation of programs began at individual sites. The second year will focus on the process of adapting prevention programs to appropriately address the needs of Aboriginal youth. The third year will focus on identifying the markers of successful cultural adaptation of prevention programs for Aboriginal youth.

Expected Outcomes

The expected deliverables include several manuals or guides for culturally relevant programs, but also a "lessons learned" document to help other organizations and communities navigate the path of increasing cultural relevancy of existing violence prevention services