Community members as design partners: Codesign workshops of the families tackling tough times together program

Abstract

Objective

This community-engaged codesign project identified the changes needed to tailor a family resilience-building program, the Families Tackling Tough Times Together (FT), into a community setting.

Background

There is a need for low-burden resources to help families mitigate stressful times and build resilience. Guided by Walsh's family resilience framework, FT aims to improve families' ability to cope, recover, and build resilience. Due to the success of FT during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is now being modified to help families in the state of Indiana.

Method

Three codesign workshops were held with community service providers (CSP) and families. Participants engaged with the FT materials and discussions related to program usability and feasibility. Data were analyzed using a rapid analysis approach.

Results

CSPs stated that FT program materials fit with their goals and workload. Families felt the FT program aligned with their personal needs and day-to-day lives. Challenges and concerns with the FT materials included activities that required additional resources or that may be intimidating for families to complete. Both CSPs and families provided helpful suggestions on how to modify the materials.

Conclusion

The FT program was well received by participants and was viewed as a valuable addition to the services CSPs offer. Modifications will be made to the FT materials based on knowledge gained from the workshops.

Implications

This work highlights the collaborative nature of the codesign process as well as the insights gained from participants regarding the use of the FT materials by CSPs as part of their routine service delivery with families in the community.