Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Substance-using pregnant women are a highly vulnerable population that has potential to benefit from innovative social service programs. In Victoria, BC, a new community program titled the HerWay Home Program (HWHP) has created a collaborative health and social care program for this vulnerable population, and is set to open in January 2010. This study is part of a larger research project that aims to shed light on the factors that promote open communication and the full participation of all team members of the HWHP. These factors are important for the ensure the continuity of maternity care is established and sustained over time and that the clients are treated with respect and dignity by providers. This study will involve interviewing women volunteers from the HWHP's Advisory Committee once at the beginning of the HWHP's launch and a second time towards the end of the first year of the program. I will be asking about the participants' background, reasons for volunteering in the HWHP's Advisory Committee, whether, in their opinion, the program has been successful in meeting its initial goals and if not, what have been the main external and internal factors hindering success. The opinions of the Advisory Committee will assist in ensuring the HWHP continues to meet it's goals in year two, and that both patients and providers are treated with respect and dignity in the collaborative health care program.