Case Study of the Ngala Nanga Mai Parent Group Program: Strengths, Challenges and Implications for Policy and Practice

Introduction: Programs that operate from a strengths-based, positive promotion approach to strengthen health, wellbeing and social cohesion have been shown to be effective interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and populations. However, despite a recent proliferation of such programs aimed at young people, rigorous evaluation that is empowering to participants is not demonstrated in the literature. The Ngala Nanga Mai pARenT Group Program, an innovative community health parent program, which utilises group artmaking sessions as a tool for engagement and building confidence, aims to positively influence young parents and their families by providing educational and social networking opportunities, and highly accessible health services. The first formal case study of the pARenT Group Program is currently underway. This report documents the methodological exploration undertaken to develop an appropriate research approach, describes baseline quantitative and qualitative findings and makes key recommendations for ways in which the program can be strengthened. Methodology and methods: Care was taken to develop a participatory mixed methods approach appropriate and empowering to individual and organisational participants. Quantitative research processes included: analysis of routinely collected program data; collection and analysis of survey data from three formal measures (the Growth and Empowerment Measure, a measure of participant self-esteem and community connectedness; and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional; and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, to measure childhood social and emotional development). Qualitative research processes included: collection and analysis of focus group, semi-structured interview and testimonial data. Findings and discussion of the implementation process: Initial findings on children's health status, parental wellbeing and childhood social-emotional development are included in this report, as are categories arising from baseline qualitative data, which explore program establishment steps, transitions and adaptations over time, current processes, program impacts and strengths, program challenges for effectiveness, growth and sustainability, the program's true potential and what it needs to be able to fulfil this potential. Triangulation, reflexivity and respondent validation employed to increase rigour are also described; and reflections are made on the qualitative data collection process. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that this study was appropriately designed and worked successfully within the Ngala Nanga Mai pARenT Group Program to provide initial evidence of its strengths and impacts on participants. It also identified important challenges faced by the program and possible ways forward so that it can continue sustainability in its provision of empowering opportunities for young parents.