Communicating Effectively with Youth about Support Service Information: NYC Teen Health Maps

Development of the NYC Teen Health Map

After careful planning and Institutional Review Board approval, The Alliance initiated this project in February, 2006 when researchers organized four focus groups with local teens to determine an effective means for developing and distributing resource information to young people. Specifically, the focus group discussions covered questions on options for people who seek help for violence in their lives, questions about the effectiveness of existing resource materials, and suggestions for improvement.

Focus group participants suggested a range of formats for developing youth-specific resources, including wallet cards, key chains, bookmarks, classroom posters, refrigerator magnets, and school folders or academic planners. Youth emphasized that the more functional and practical the product, the more likely they are to keep it and use it in the future. [Read the focus group report (pdf)] [Read the focus group guide (pdf)]

The design team at the Alliance used this information to develop a Z-CARDTM referral tool. The Z-card we designed is a foldable pocket subway map on one side and comprehensive adolescent-friendly services resource guide on the back. This pilot Z-card called the NYC Teen Health Map was distributed to four high schools and several youth-serving organizations in NYC in the Spring of 2007.

Evaluation