Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yewoon Choi; Nila Uthirasamy; David Córdoba; Lesley Mandel Morrow; Silvia Perez-Cortes; Usha Ramachandran; Shilpa Pai; Daniel Lima; Patricia A. Shelton; Manuel E. Jimenez

doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000001155

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yewoon Choi, Nila Uthirasamy, David Córdoba, Lesley Mandel Morrow, Silvia Perez-Cortes, Usha Ramachandran, Shilpa Pai, Daniel Lima, Patricia A. Shelton, Manuel E. Jimenez

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), Pediatrics-General Pediatr

Rutgers, The State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online family literacy program (FLP) among low-income Latino families during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:We conducted a mixed methods pilot study. Latino parent-child dyads participated in an 8-week online FLP conducted on video conferencing software, developed through a cross-sector health care-education partnership. We conducted surveys and structured observation to assess feasibility and acceptability and in-depth interviews to gain insight into the context of participants' experiences during the pandemic.Results:The 35 participating parent-child dyads all identified as Latino, 83% reported limited English proficiency, and 60% of parents did not achieve a high school diploma. Nearly two-thirds of families participated in at least half of the sessions. On average, parents welcomed, liked, approved, and found the program appealing. While 86% experienced a technology problem at least once during sessions, all were resolved with minimal assistance. During qualitative interviews, we identified 3 themes that provide insight into their experiences with the FLP within the broader context of the pandemic: (1) disruption in family routine and financial strain caused by COVID-19 intensified family stress, (2) the forced transition to remote learning highlighted the inequities experienced by Latino preschool children, and (3) the FLP empowered parents and enhanced health and education experiences.Conclusion:Latino families had high participation levels in an online FLP and found it acceptable. Additional work is needed to understand how similar primary care programs can be leveraged to promote optimal development during a time of heightened need.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	E104-E110
Journal	Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Volume	44
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001155
State	Published - Feb 1 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

Keywords

family literacy program
literacy promotion
primary care
school readiness

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10.1097/DBP.0000000000001155

Cite this

Choi, Y., Uthirasamy, N., Córdoba, D., Morrow, L. M., Perez-Cortes, S., Ramachandran, U., Pai, S., Lima, D., Shelton, P. A., & Jimenez, M. E. (2023). Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 44(2), E104-E110. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001155

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title = "Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic",

abstract = "Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online family literacy program (FLP) among low-income Latino families during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:We conducted a mixed methods pilot study. Latino parent-child dyads participated in an 8-week online FLP conducted on video conferencing software, developed through a cross-sector health care-education partnership. We conducted surveys and structured observation to assess feasibility and acceptability and in-depth interviews to gain insight into the context of participants' experiences during the pandemic.Results:The 35 participating parent-child dyads all identified as Latino, 83% reported limited English proficiency, and 60% of parents did not achieve a high school diploma. Nearly two-thirds of families participated in at least half of the sessions. On average, parents welcomed, liked, approved, and found the program appealing. While 86% experienced a technology problem at least once during sessions, all were resolved with minimal assistance. During qualitative interviews, we identified 3 themes that provide insight into their experiences with the FLP within the broader context of the pandemic: (1) disruption in family routine and financial strain caused by COVID-19 intensified family stress, (2) the forced transition to remote learning highlighted the inequities experienced by Latino preschool children, and (3) the FLP empowered parents and enhanced health and education experiences.Conclusion:Latino families had high participation levels in an online FLP and found it acceptable. Additional work is needed to understand how similar primary care programs can be leveraged to promote optimal development during a time of heightened need.",

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Choi, Y, Uthirasamy, N, Córdoba, D, Morrow, LM , Perez-Cortes, S, Ramachandran, U, Pai, S, Lima, D, Shelton, PA & Jimenez, ME 2023, 'Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic', Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. E104-E110. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001155

TY - JOUR

T1 - Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic

AU - Choi, Yewoon

AU - Uthirasamy, Nila

AU - Córdoba, David

AU - Morrow, Lesley Mandel

AU - Perez-Cortes, Silvia

AU - Ramachandran, Usha

AU - Pai, Shilpa

AU - Lima, Daniel

AU - Shelton, Patricia A.

AU - Jimenez, Manuel E.

PY - 2023/2/1

Y1 - 2023/2/1

N2 - Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online family literacy program (FLP) among low-income Latino families during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:We conducted a mixed methods pilot study. Latino parent-child dyads participated in an 8-week online FLP conducted on video conferencing software, developed through a cross-sector health care-education partnership. We conducted surveys and structured observation to assess feasibility and acceptability and in-depth interviews to gain insight into the context of participants' experiences during the pandemic.Results:The 35 participating parent-child dyads all identified as Latino, 83% reported limited English proficiency, and 60% of parents did not achieve a high school diploma. Nearly two-thirds of families participated in at least half of the sessions. On average, parents welcomed, liked, approved, and found the program appealing. While 86% experienced a technology problem at least once during sessions, all were resolved with minimal assistance. During qualitative interviews, we identified 3 themes that provide insight into their experiences with the FLP within the broader context of the pandemic: (1) disruption in family routine and financial strain caused by COVID-19 intensified family stress, (2) the forced transition to remote learning highlighted the inequities experienced by Latino preschool children, and (3) the FLP empowered parents and enhanced health and education experiences.Conclusion:Latino families had high participation levels in an online FLP and found it acceptable. Additional work is needed to understand how similar primary care programs can be leveraged to promote optimal development during a time of heightened need.

AB - Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online family literacy program (FLP) among low-income Latino families during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:We conducted a mixed methods pilot study. Latino parent-child dyads participated in an 8-week online FLP conducted on video conferencing software, developed through a cross-sector health care-education partnership. We conducted surveys and structured observation to assess feasibility and acceptability and in-depth interviews to gain insight into the context of participants' experiences during the pandemic.Results:The 35 participating parent-child dyads all identified as Latino, 83% reported limited English proficiency, and 60% of parents did not achieve a high school diploma. Nearly two-thirds of families participated in at least half of the sessions. On average, parents welcomed, liked, approved, and found the program appealing. While 86% experienced a technology problem at least once during sessions, all were resolved with minimal assistance. During qualitative interviews, we identified 3 themes that provide insight into their experiences with the FLP within the broader context of the pandemic: (1) disruption in family routine and financial strain caused by COVID-19 intensified family stress, (2) the forced transition to remote learning highlighted the inequities experienced by Latino preschool children, and (3) the FLP empowered parents and enhanced health and education experiences.Conclusion:Latino families had high participation levels in an online FLP and found it acceptable. Additional work is needed to understand how similar primary care programs can be leveraged to promote optimal development during a time of heightened need.

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Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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