Keeping Unsheltered Families Together in Polk County

This project’s aim was to increase family shelter capacity in Polk County by expanding shelter services to Monmouth, Independence, and Dallas. There are no family shelters in Polk County. A modified version of the SOAR and logic model was used to guide research and recommendations. The former builds on the strengths of current practices. The latter provides a visual diagram that illustrates how the intervention will meet the community’s needs. Family Promise provides homeless prevention services, transportation, life skills, food, shelter, and case management to all types of families in Marion County. Based on research, there was a total of 46 homeless students between the Dallas and Central school districts. Data also indicated there were at least 79 homeless families in Polk County. The research found a secure location that promotes family well-being, provides stability, a sense of normalcy, and improves family outcomes. Recommendations are to continue collaboration with Polk County Family and Community Outreach (FCO), Family Promise, Polk County Congregations, and host a community forum with community members, church leaders, Family Promise and FCO to obtain congregation support

Using the Spectrum of Prevention Model to Design a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System

Background: The majority of college students are sexually active, but nearly half are not using safer sex practices, such as consistent condom use. These un-safe practices potentially lead to unintended pregnancies and can increase rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and long-term sequelae thereof. Purpose: This project aims to apply the Spectrum of Prevention model to develop a proposed project for a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System at Western Oregon University (WOU). Methods: Informed by a review of the literature related to STI prevention on college campuses, and discussion with national leaders in this field, we developed an intervention that uses the Spectrum of Prevention as a framework to support the implementation of a Personal Sexual Health Kit Online Ordering System. Outcomes: The developed intervention can be implemented on the WOU campus and can be used as a model for other universities seeking to decrease stigma around sexuality and improve the health of their students. Implications: By addressing the Spectrum of Prevention, this project works at all levels to reduce stigma around sexuality and sexual health. In addition, we expect to see a reduction in STI rates among college students on campuses implementing this intervention