Using Technology to Support Expectant and Parenting Youth through Case Management: Lessons Learned in the Field.

INTRODUCTION: The Support. Empower. Learn. Parenting Health Initiative (SELPHI) provides expectant and parenting youth ages 16-24 in Philadelphia with supports to improve educational, social, and economic outcomes to shape their health and the health of their children. Phone, text, video-based, and social media communication technology is built in to SELPHI's program design to facilitate case management and connect clients to a broad referral network. Given the novelty of using information and communication technology (ICT) in case management, the reported lessons learned seek to give providers a specific and nuanced picture of ICT in case management. METHODS: In its initial 6-month implementation period, SELPHI's five case managers, called Navigators, served 59 clients. Data from feedback surveys and case records were collected from clients and Navigators. Data included client demographic characteristics, needs assessment, and contact records to inform continuous quality improvement (CQI). RESULTS: ICT's benefits included having multiple ways to connect to difficult-to-reach clients, the ability to be more responsive to clients, and the flexibility to address scheduling and transportation barriers. ICT's challenges are related to Navigators' boundary setting, limitations on rapport building, and data security considerations. CQI data are presented to illustrate the lessons learned. Text messages were the most prevalent ICT; phone calls were most successful in engaging clients. Clients' ICT preferences differed by purpose of communication. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that programs should understand the nuances of client contact preferences. To maximize the benefits of ICT, programs must develop or adapt protocols based on preference and purpose of communication.

Supporting Latina Breast Health with Community-based Navigation.

Latina women continue to face disproportionate breast cancer risk and well-documented breast health care barriers in Philadelphia. In response to breast health needs among Latinas in Philadelphia, a health-focused community-based organization, in partnership with a network of social and health service providers, began offering community-based navigation in 2005. Later, through funding from a federal agency, the organization launched the Naveguemos con Salud (NCS) Breast Health Partnership Project from 2010 to 2013. NCS offered breast health awareness and education to a broad audience of Latinas in Philadelphia and community-based navigation services to all interested in accessing a clinical breast exam (CBE) and/or mammogram. A 2017 survey revisited breast health needs among the same core population to inform next steps. Here, we explore how findings and lessons learned from a past program and an assessment of current needs can inform future community-clinical linkage and community-based navigation to improve access to breast cancer screening and a continuum of care for Latinas.