Research Project Summary
Household food insecurity (FI) presents unique challenges for low-income parents and other guardians of children (hereafter, parental caregivers). Recent years have seen increased attention to the role that hospitals, including federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), can play in screening for FI, as well as connecting families to food security-related resources. However, low-income parental caregivers may avoid FI screenings due to concerns that institutional surveillance may lead to state interventions by Child Protective Services or immigration enforcement.
Research Project Goals
This project explores how healthcare centers in Southern NJ can improve the efficacy and cultural competence of their FI screening practices and protocols, as well as their outreach programs.
Research Project Objectives
The following research questions will guide the project: 1. How do low-income parental caregivers in South Jersey respond to and perceive standard healthcare center FI screening approaches? 2. How do low-income parental caregivers in South Jersey respond to and perceive food security-related outreach efforts by healthcare centers in the South Jersey area?