Projects

This study examines PC CARES implementation within an existing, highly-successful academic program, the UAF Rural Human Services (RHS) certificate program that enrolls mainly AN adults from rural communities. The first aim uses community-engaged, mixed methods to systematically explore and assess key implementation factors within the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) for PC CARES implementation in remote Alaska Native communities. The second aim evaluates the effectiveness of RHS student living in more populated parts of Alaska who facilitate PC CARES in communities on the road system. The participants of these learning circles (n=100) learning about suicide, self-efficacy, collaborative relationships, and their prevention-oriented behaviors (primary outcome) will be evaluated across 7 time points; and the study will describe community-level diffusion by examining participants (n=30), ‘close associates’ of participants’ (n=50), and others’ (n=50) prevention-oriented behaviors in two intervention communities at baseline and follow-up (n=130), and explores key moderators of PC CARES effectiveness. IMPACT. Our study tests a pragmatic approach to address rising AN youth suicide rates in rural, underserved AN communities, and identifies and adapts key implementation constructs for rural community implementation.