Pilot Testing of GROW Together: An Interactive Curriculum for Immigrant and Refugee Youth

OBJECTIVES. The Office of Family Assistance funds organizations to provide relationship education for youth. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is one such organization. The purpose of this study was to pilot a new USCRI curriculum, GROW Together, with immigrant and refugee youth. The program was designed to help young people develop important life skills and become successful in their new country. METHODS. Refugee and immigrant youth enrolled in the study. Participants received an interactive 12-hour relationship education (RE) program. We measured changes in four outcome measures 1) Communication skills; 2) Conflict resolution/conflict management skills; 3) Healthy marriage and relationship skills, and 4) Attitudes toward finances. Participants also received case management services. All participants completed self-report questionnaires prior to the beginning of the program. After the completion of this pretest questionnaire participants received the 12-hour curriculum. At the end of the program participants completed a posttest questionnaire. RESULTS. When pretest scores were compared with posttest scores (441 matched) there were statistically significant improvements for: Communication skills and Attitudes toward finances. Female participants improved their scores more than males on conflict resolution skills. Those over 18, improved their scores more than younger participants on Conflict resolution skills and Attitude toward finances. Younger participants improved their scores more than older participants on Healthy marriage and relationship skills. CONCLUSIONS. These findings are encouraging and set the stage for a more rigorous evaluation of the curriculum. Future researchers may also examine the effects of the curriculum on health and health behavior outcomes.