Focus Groups

Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Cincinnati

IFCK—Cincinnati conducted focus group sessions in our pilot neighborhood of Avondale to determine the priorities and obligations of the community, help pool resources and plan desired interventions. Community members, parents and kids of the community all participated in separate sessions, to determine what topics and concerns were among their top priorities. The desired outcomes of the focus groups included resources, parents and kids interested in playing a part in the development of IFCK—Cincinnati in the Avondale Community. The findings from these focus groups lead to the development of many of IFCK’s projects and became the foundation of IFCK’s success within the Avondale community.

Youth Focus Group

Eleven community organizations gathered together to discuss the concerns and issues that were made a priority with the initiation of Injury Free Coalition in the Avondale community. Members from a variety of organizations, including the Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati Public Library, Cincinnati Recreation Commision and the Urban League, gathered(See Partnering Hospitals and Organizations for all members). This focus group was the establishment of our coalition in Cincinnati and founded many of the relationships that exist within the community today.

The parents’ groups included three two-hour sessions with a total of 25 parents attending. The parents gave insight into what types of programs were desired in the proposed after-school programs within the three elementary schools of Avondale. Some ideas included: computer training, tutoring and homework help, cooking lessons, field trips, dance classes and mentoring opportunities. The parents also addressed some of the barriers that prohibited their children participating in existing community programs. Examples of these included price, inconvenience, transportation and hours of operation. This information was great insight to aid in the determination of successful youth programs within the community and what was important to the adults around Avondale.

A total of 21 students between 5th and 8th grade participated in the youth focus groups. These students provided an explanation of what barriers prohibited them from participating in after school programs, including reasons such as fighting, physical location and lack of interest. The focus group participants provided ideas that would spark interest in a program and some desired activities. These ideas included sports activities, computer training, babysitting classes, arts/crafts and tutoring and homework help. The children provided recommendations about the hours, location and safety of the proposed after-school program.

Overall, the findings from the focus groups geared IFCK—Cincinnati’s future interventions within Avondale. Both parents and youth provided insight into the community that we would have been unable to obtain on our own. With this knowledge, IFCK was able to plan and implement programs that were both desired and effective within the neighborhood.

Contact Information

Talicia McNealy, Program Coordinator
(513) 636-7903