Introduction
Black individuals and families are a large proportion of the service populations of HMRF grantees. Therefore, it is important that HMRF practitioners provide culturally responsive services to Black clients. Currently, HMRF programs are not consistently offering services that are reflective of the needs of Black individuals, couples, and youth.
Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) grantees and practitioners can build on the strengths of Black individuals, couples, and youth to help them thrive, build trust, and improve outcomes. The Race Equity for Fatherhood, Relationship, and Marriage Programs to Empower Black Families (REFRAME) project seeks to understand the strengths, needs, and experiences of Black individuals and couples to inform the development of practice resources that promote equitable service delivery among HMRF programs.
REFRAME is engaging with an Expert Workgroup (EWG) in authentic conversations to identify and learn about program needs, participant experiences, community contexts, and existing efforts to advance race equity in HMRF programs and in communities. This brief summarizes the early findings of the engagement efforts and approaches to upholding equity practices in the project’s approach and activities.
Purpose
This brief introduces the REFRAME project and how it is centering Black voices, strengths, and resiliencies through the engagement of the EWG, HMRF grantees, and community members. It also describes the purpose of the EWG, early learnings from project activities, key considerations being taken to integrate an equity approach throughout the project, and the next stages of the work.
Key Findings and Highlights
The brief describes key takeaways thus far from the engagement with the EWG and approaches to embedding a strengths-based perspective throughout the project.
- Consider and seek out diverse viewpoints to increase equity and understanding of HMRF program needs: The Perspective Microscope Exercise helped the team incorporate viewpoints from diverse individuals in the EWG who may not be traditionally included in research or program design to learn about how to properly engage HMRF programs and community groups. The exercise also helped the study team learn about the need to make program curricula and materials more culturally appropriate and responsive to Black families and youth and how to better support Black couples.
- Prioritize strengths-based questions: With EWG input, the study team developed focus group questions and discussion guides that explored participants’ self-determination and strengths. The focus group questions positioned individuals as resourceful and resilient, and inquired about the community context and future outcomes. When centering on someone’s strengths, it allows the individual or community to feel empowered and valued to lean on their strengths.
- Examine and address existing power dynamics in the HMRF field: Some of the power dynamics found through a Power Web Exercise with the EWG included limited power of influence of Black community members on HMRF grantees relative to federal funders and curriculum developers, and an unbalanced unilateral flow of data collection from Black individuals, couples and youth to HMRF grantees.
Methods
The study team formed an Expert Workgroup (EWG) consisting of Black researchers, practitioners, and Black individuals, couples, and youth who received services from HMRF programs or other community-based organizations. The study team hosted three meetings with the EWG in 2022 and facilitated two exercises, the Perspective Microscope Exercise and the Power Web Exercise. Through the Perspective Microscope Exercise, the study team and the EWG brainstormed strategies, needs and priorities of HMRF grantees and identified relevant questions for focus groups and community listening sessions. The Power Web Exercise allowed the study team and the EWG to uncover power dynamics related to funding, data, and influence that could influence the project activities.
Citation
Perales, Lorraine; Sarfo, Bright; and Richburg-Hayes, Lashawn (2022). REFRAME: Centering the Strength of Black Voices, OPRE Report # 2022-287, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Glossary
- The term “Black”:
- Racial and ethnic identity is both varied and personal to the individual and may not always coincide with official categories used for policy or other contexts where populations are classified. We use “Black” to describe the descendants of people of the African continent, who may or may not be able to trace their lineage back to a specific African nation, tribe, or ethnic group. We recognize that African Americans have a unique culture and history that is distinct from other Black groups. However, we use “Black” to also encompass those who may not identify as African or American but who still face inequities that have affected Black groups regardless of ethnicity or national origin.
- Strengths-based:
- Mentions of strengths-based perspectives, methods or practices throughout this brief refer to the centering of strengths, resources, and abilities of individuals and communities rather than deficits and pathologies that may be prevalent in historical narratives.