Evaluating the Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Culturally Adapted Caregiver-Mediated Early Language and Literacy Intervention Delivered Within a Latino/a Community Nonprofit.

PURPOSE: Caregiver-mediated interventions may be particularly well suited to support the communication and early literacy development of Latino children. However, few interventions have been adapted and/or implemented for the Latino community. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a culturally adapted caregiver-mediated early language intervention within a Latino-serving community nonprofit.

METHOD: The current study used a community-partnered, prospective design to evaluate child and caregiver outcomes after participating in virtual or in-person intervention groups based on the Hanen Program It Takes Two to Talk at a community nonprofit providing services to the Latino community. Data collection measures included sociodemographic surveys, session attendance, caregiver efficacy and satisfaction, and child vocabulary and developmental screeners. Caregiver efficacy and child vocabulary measures were administered at pre- and post-intervention. Twenty Latino families completed all measures.

RESULTS

Caregivers tended to have more than one child, had low levels of acculturation, and mean household income was $26,629.09. Over 75% of Latino caregivers attended half or greater group sessions. Additionally, caregivers reported being satisfied with the program with all caregivers reporting that they would recommend the program to other families. Paired-samples t tests revealed that compared to pre-intervention, at post-intervention, caregivers reported a significant increase in their knowledge about their child's needs and strength, their ability to advocate for their child, and their ability to access community resources. Results revealed no statistically significant changes in child vocabulary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that adapting and implementing a caregiver-mediated early language and literacy program in the community is feasible and acceptable to underserved Latino caregivers. Additionally, participating in the program improved caregiver empowerment and efficacy. Future work will further examine more nuanced child social communication outcomes, establish long-term follow up of the participants, and focus on capacity building within the community nonprofit.