What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop

Aim: Lack of engagement in parenting support programs by young parents has been identified previously in the literature. This paper reports an innovative strategy utilizing appreciative inquiry (AI) to involve service providers and young parents in identifying strategies to engage young parents in services and programs. Methods: A one-day workshop was held involving service/program staff and young mothers in three phases of AI: discovery, dreaming, and delivery. A variety of activities were used to gather data from participants: Small group discussion, creative 'art work' development, and notes. Results: Results identified strategies that would promote and sustain young parents' engagement in services/ programs, such as supportive non-judgmental attitude of staff, having a 'one stop shop' for services, and meeting childcare and educational needs of parents. Conclusion: Through AI, factors were identified that promote and sustain engagement of young parents into parenting support programs, and the need to engage fathers was also recognized.