Inspiring IDEA: Girls on the Run’s developmental approach to and assessment of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access programming

Frontiers in Psychology

Psychology

Lindsay E. Kipp¹  Allison Riley²  Maureen R. Weiss³ 

[1] Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States;Girls on the Run International, Charlotte, NC, United States;School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States;

关键词: out-of-school-time;    positive youth development;    social-emotional learning;    physical activity;    mixed methods;    diversity;    equity;    inclusion;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1128680

 received in 2023-01-26, accepted in 2023-04-13,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionEvaluation studies of positive youth development (PYD) programs show promising impact on children’s psychosocial and behavioral outcomes, but less is known about how programming affects youth of varying racial, ethnic, and cultural identities. Girls on the Run, a physical activity-based PYD program, has developed curricula and coach training with a lens toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA). The purpose of this study was to assess the program’s effectiveness in achieving IDEA programming goals.MethodsSurveys were completed by youth (n = 342), caregivers (n = 2,375), and coaches (n = 1,406), and focus groups/interviews were conducted with 12 youth, 20 caregivers, and 9 coaches, diverse in race, ethnicity, ability, and other identities. Survey and focus group/interview questions addressed participants’ thoughts and experiences regarding inclusion, diversity, equity, andaccess in Girls on the Run.ResultsQuantitative analyses of survey responses revealed favorable responses by all groups that the program: (a) provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive climate for all youth; (b) consists of teams with racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds; and, (c) successfully engages in strategies to reduce barriers to participation. Qualitative analyses of focus group/interview data resulted in 5 higher-order themes: (a) positive sentiments by girls, caregivers, and coaches; (b) social justice in the curriculum; (c) access to programming; (d) considerations regarding racial diversity; and, (e) serving gender-diverse participants.DiscussionCollective findings characterized Girls on the Run as successful in meeting its pledge toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and access to participation. All groups recognized the program’s positive impact on girls’ social and emotional learning and fostering an atmosphere of community connectedness. Curricular lessons and coach training align with evidence based strategies for inclusive and equitable programming, which can serve as an exemplar for other out-of-school-time programs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Weiss, Kipp and Riley.