NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: health, social sciences, addiction, ethnography

Objective(s): To receive feedback on how best to incorporate harm reduction into a cost-effective street outreach program.

Project Description: The objectives of this research project are: - to consult with the target population and appropriate agencies using a variety of means; and - to receive feedback on how best to target this population and incorporate harm reduction into a cost-effective street outreach program. Phase 1 (prior to research phase) goals are to: - Identify stakeholders - Examine best practice models from other jurisdictions - make research recommendations Aurora College Nursing students’ 3rd year research project. Their learning plan outcomes consist of: • identifying and getting to know potential stakeholders and partners; • putting together a list of comparable outreach programs operating in other similar jurisdictions; • make recommendations around the areas that research questions need to target; and • identify the questions that need to be addressed in the Phase 2 research component of this project. Phase 2: The local research consultant will contact Yellowknife agencies involved in programs geared towards street involved people and/or providers of addictions programs, as identified in phase 1, to do the following: • six (6) to eight (8) interviews with employees and/or volunteers at identified agencies; • up to two (2) focus groups with the target population, whose participants will be recommended by identified agencies; and • one (1) Photo Voice survey with up to 10 members of the target population. This research project will focus on the street-involved population who are at least 18 years of age. All research will follow the best practices recommendations listed in the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases’ (NNCID) Outreach Planning Guide. Findings from stage 2 will be consolidated without drawing conclusions in such a way that the researcher's report can be used to formulate a logic model or work plan. Consultation with the target population and identified agencies in the following manner: Six (6) to eight (8) interviews with employees and/or volunteers of the stakeholder group, two (2) focus groups involving up to 10 street-involved persons recruited through stakeholder agencies. Each participant will each receive a $25.00 gift card to either Wal-Mart. Refreshments will be provided during the sessions, and one (1) Photo Voice survey with up to 10 members of the target population. Consultation participants will be recruited through Yellowknife stakeholder organizations, as identified in phase 1 of this project, including Tree of Peace, John Howard Society (through Deneko Day Shelter), City of Yellowknife, Salvation Army/Bailey House, Healing Drum Society, YWCA, Centre for Northern Families, RCMP, Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (Family Counseling and Public Health), Stanton Territorial Health Authority (ER), and Department of Justice (Probation Officers/North Slave Correctional Centre). Phase 3 (post-research): Development of a logic model or work plan to indicate direction for a pilot street outreach program. The research team each lives and works in Yellowknife, and have experience working in other Northern communities. The steering committee is comprised of local practitioners. Analyze the research findings and put together recommendations for a pilot outreach model. This model will integrate the research findings, stakeholder interests, and the YHSSA fiscal situation. Aurora College 4th year nursing students will be invited to participate in this phase of the project as part of their 4th year course work. Phase 4: (Spring/Summer 2012) Scope depends upon Phase 3 outcomes. The results will be shared with the identified stakeholders through ongoing discussions throughout phase 3, and a presentation to the stakeholders at the end of phase 2. The results will be shared with focus group participants in the form of a visual poster presentation that will be offered to agencies that helped recruit focus group participants. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 23, 2011 to September 30, 2011.