1. Implementation Of Lay Health Promoter/ Participatory Researcher Training:
Was the Training successfully implemented?
The eleven community leaders who had been selected for their role as ‘natural helpers’, and/or ‘community leaders’ completed the training course successfully. Trainees generally increased their knowledge in all four core training areas: health promotion, including breast and cervical cancer screening; peer support and communication; participatory action research; and community development. They also completed all ten assignments, requiring them to demonstrate knowledge, specific set of skills, and ability to transfer learning to new situations.
The training implementation was successful for the following reasons:
- The course was taught in English and Spanish with two of the instructors being fully bi-lingual (English and Spanish);
- Trainees were committed to learn and complete the course, although, they found the time commitment heavy and the course content challenging.
- All course fees were paid for by project funds, including the required English test to allow this course to be accredited by the university.
- Trainees received important supports, such as training honorarium, bus passes, childcare, course materials;
- The course was designed to prepare trainees for their practice in lay health promotion and participatory research. Instructors modified and adapted the course content, to ensure that the required skills were learned by all LHP/PRs.
- The instructors had designed the course with input from trainees and also were co-investigators in the project, therefore, knew what skills and knowledge LHP/PRs required to implement the next phases of the project;
- Instructors were committed to assist students to complete assignments successfully, providing individual supports when needed.
- Ongoing training was provided during the program implementation phase.
