Examining the Implementation of FOCUS Skill-Building Groups and the Emotional Well-Being and Resilience of Military Students in Public Schools

• In Event: Transforming School and Campus Climate for Military-Connected Students and Veterans: Research and Practice From the Field

Abstract

Objectives and Perspective
To the authors’ knowledge, there are no evidence-based interventions specifically designed to enhance the well-being and resilience of military students in the public school setting. FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress™) is a family-level resiliency training program designed by university researchers to assist families experiencing stress related to family transitions .The FOCUS School-Based Skill-Building Groups (SBGs) were developed for implementation within a school setting. FOCUS SBGs were implemented in military-connected schools in Southern California. This study specifically examined the scope of the program, the successes and challenges of the FOCUS SBG training component, and the issues, challenges, and successes of the interns’ implementation of FOCUS SBGs in schools.
Methods and Data Sources
A university research team trained a group of graduate school social work interns to create and implement FOCUS SBGs in military-connected schools. This study utilized multiple quantitative and qualitative data sources. To assess the FOCUS SBG training, the research team in this study administered surveys to each group of interns in the Fall of 2011 and in the Fall 2012. The survey was comprised of likert scale items, covering the following topics: knowledge of military life issues and challenges, perceptions of the organization of the training, its content, and its usefulness in their school placements. The survey also elicited open-ended responses, which were utilized as qualitative data.
To assess the creation and implementation of FOCUS SBG’s in military-connected schools, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered. The study’s authors gathered surveys and interns’ written reflections of FOCUS. Descriptive statistical analyses and qualitative thematic analyses were conducted to assess the issues, challenges, successes, and lessons learned while interns were implementing FOCUS in schools.
Results
Overall, the results indicate that FOCUS SBG’s have assisted in making public schools more welcoming environments, where military students can develop resilience during deployment and other stressful military life events. The results show that there has been a significant increase in the number of FOCUS SBGs and students served in military-connected schools. In addition, MSW interns benefitted from learning the FOCUS SBG approach to working with vulnerable youth. Key school personnel such as teachers and school leaders viewed the MSW interns’ implementation of the FOCUS SBGs as an asset to their school setting, specifically helping the social and emotional well-being of students. The findings also reveal that MSW interns encountered multiple implementation challenges including establishing rapport with teachers and school leaders, finding resources within a school, and coordinating time and space for FOCUS SBG’s.
Scholarly Significance
Overall, the findings highlight attempts by military-connected schools and researchers to improve the emotional well-being and resilience of military students coping with military life stressors. This study describes one of the few evidence-based interventions specifically designed for military-connected students in schools. In addition, this study highlights the successes and challenges of implementing an evidence-based intervention in a public school setting. More studies on military-connected schools and effective strategies are necessary for developing future school-based programs and supportive school environments for military students.

Authors

• Kris Tunac De Pedro, Chapman University

• Ediza Garcia, University of California – Los Angeles

• Rami Benbenishty, Bar-Ilan University

• Diana Pineda, University of Southern California

• Patricia Lester, University of California – Los Angeles