Implementing a Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Toolkit for Foster Parents: A Quality Improvement Project

Despite a notable decrease in adolescent birth rates in Utah, adolescents in foster care continue to face elevated rates of early childbirth and a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections compared to their counterparts not in foster care. Local Problem: Witnessing the validity of this disparity and its direct consequences, the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor department within the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of Salt Lake City, Utah, concluded that the minors in their care were not obtaining adequate sexual and reproductive health education and sought out ways to improve this care gap. Methods and Interventions: To help rectify this care gap, a DNP midwifery student piloted a quality improvement project designed to help guide foster parents when attempting to embark on conversations related to sexual and reproductive health with the minors in their care. In preparation, a literary review was conducted to collect evidence-based, age-appropriate educational information on sexual and reproductive health. This data was then compiled into one educational toolkit and presented to caregivers fostering unaccompanied refugee minors in the area. Caregivers were then asked to complete surveys to assess the toolkit's usability, feasibility, and acceptability. Results: Five caregivers participated in our presentation, during which they expressed appreciation for the additional information and tips on having difficult conversations. However, participants also strongly expressed they prefer the sexual and reproductive health information to be provided directly to the youth in their care. Conclusion: Although the results of this project determined the sexual and reproductive health education toolkit was not feasible or acceptable, future recommendations strongly emphasize a partnership between ORR and a healthcare facility that can create an educational program 3 targeted towards minors accompanied by their caregivers. A program ultimately led by a healthcare provider instead of informal conversations led by foster parents.