Can a healthy youth development clinic serving latino families be youth friendly and family oriented? A mixed-methods evaluation

Abstract

Background: Parenting adolescents poses challenges that are exacerbated by immigration. Aqui Para Ti [Here for You] (APT) is a clinic-based, healthy youth development program that provides family-centered care for Latino youth and their families who are mostly immigrants from Mexico and Latin America.

Objectives: To present the APT model of care and report the experiences of youth and their parents.

Subjects: APT patients between 11 and 24 years (n=30) and parents (n=15). Most youth patients were female, between 11 and 17 years, and from Mexico. Most parents were female, 40 years or younger, and from Mexico.

Methods: Youth participants completed a survey and participated in an individual semi-structured interview, and parent participants attended focus groups. Descriptive statistics summarized survey data. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed and analyzed in Spanish using content analysis by two independent coders. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using side-by-side comparisons. Researchers not involved in the coding process contributed with the interpretation of the findings.

Results: Youth and parents were satisfied with the services received at APT. Youth felt listened to by their providers (100%), felt they could trust them (100%) and valued comprehensive care. Eighty-seven percent reported that their experiences at APT were better than at other clinics. Parents valued the family parallel care, confidentiality, family-centeredness, and the cultural inclusivity of the APT services.

Conclusion: Patients and parents were satisfied with the services offered at APT. Family parallel care could be a positive alternative to deliver confidential and family-centered services to immigrant families.