KO1Project — The Flourish Lab

K01 Project:

Adapting and testing a peer-led family strengthening group intervention for refugees.

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Background

War and political terror are an escalating global reality for individuals, families and communities. One in seven individuals lives in a conflict-affected country and more than 65 million are forcibly displaced from their homes worldwide. The effects of war on families are especially acute. Armed conflict and the associated forced migration undermine the entire family system, often resulting in parenting challenges, intergenerational conflict, and poor mental health and functioning in children and caregivers alike. These experiences are coupled with systemic ruptures to interpersonal support networks leading to separation from immediate and extended family and losses to community relationships and support.

The family and community are important contexts for support and coping with stressors and adversity, including the difficulties associated with displacement and resettlement for refugee families.

Family-based mental health interventions are needed to address mental health needs and strengthen familial relationships and supportive social networks

Project Overview

This NIMH-funded study adapts an evidence based multiple family group intervention, Coffee and Family Education and Support (CAFES) for use with families from the Middle East and delivery by peer providers with shared cultural and linguistic backgrounds and life histories as intervention recipients. The model will be tested for feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in community settings.

Adaptation Approach

To adapt the model, we combine human centered design practices and implementation science to create an inclusive and participatory adaptation process that addresses the needs of diverse end users and the implementation context. A centerpiece of our approach involves working with two co-design teams comprised of individuals with diverse lived experience to co-create the program.

This includes: 1) caregiver and youth dyads from refugee families; and 2) community practitioners from refugee service organizations.

Study Aims

Aim 1: To adapt the multiple family group intervention for delivery by peers in community organizations using the ADAPT-ITT framework and human-centered design methods to develop an intervention that addresses the complex needs of refugee families, peer providers and for delivery in community settings. 

Aim 2: To pilot the adapted multiple family group model with families to examine feasibility, acceptability, and provider fidelity when implemented by refugee peers in two community settings in the Chicago area. 

Aim 3: To explore the impact of the multiple family group model compared to enhanced control on outcomes of adult and child mental health, family functioning, social support and sense of community.

K01 Research Team

Mary Bunn, PhD, LCSW

Principal Investigator
Mary Bunn, PhD, LCSW is licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, core faculty member and Co-Director of the Global Mental Health Research and Training Program in the UIC Center for Global Health…
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Robert Zolna, MDes

Human Centered Designer
Robert is a human-centered designer and educator. Born and raised in Chicago, Robert started his professional career in Tokyo, Japan as a graphic designer where he developed a profound appreciation for both aesthetics and function…
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Zara Hafeez, MPH

Program Manager
Zara is a Bangladeshi American, born and raised in the Chicagoland area. As a first-generation American, she is passionate about addressing the unique needs of immigrant individuals and families…
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Khelud Abdlazziz

Outreach Coordinator
Khelud Abdlazziz is originally from Iraq. She was resettled with her husband and two children to America in 2008. In Iraq, Khelud studied at the University of Baghdad where she obtained her degree in mathematics in 1996...
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McKenzie Graunke

Graduate Research Assistant
McKenzie is in her third and final year of the joint master’s of public health and master’s of social work program at UIC. Her MSW concentration is in organizational and community practice and her MPH is concentrated in maternal and child health…
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Nancy Kaul

Graduate Research Assistant
Nancy Kaul is a first-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She has Kashmiri heritage but is originally from Toronto, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Science from McGill University…
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Andrea Haidar, LCSW, MA, MS

Doctoral Research Assistant
Andrea Haidar is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also a licensed clinical social worker and certified yoga teacher…
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Partner Co-Design Team

Samira Alhamwi

Syrian Community Network
Samira has a broad spectrum of experience in education with early childhood, special education, and adult learners. With a bachelor’s in psychological counseling, she has worked with several associations supporting persons with disabilities and special education schools in Syria…
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Maya Atassi

Syrian Community Network
Maya Atassi is the Director of Operations at the Syrian Community Network. She has been with SCN since its earliest days, in 2015, having occupied several roles within the organization. Maya is a first generation Syrian American, born and raised in the Midwest. She returned to Chicago after attending Smith College in Massachusetts…
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Mariam Mekhael

Syrian Community Network
Mariam graduated from St. Olaf College with three degrees: Race and Ethnic Studies, Family Studies, Architecture, along with a minor in Art. Her professional goal is to help refugee youth feel welcome throughout all the new phases of their adjustment to life…
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Nate Sivak

Syrian Community Network
Born in Illinois, Nate first encountered refugee work in 2012 in Tunisia and Southern Italy. He graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in Religious and Mediterranean Studies…
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Saima Azfar

ICNA Relief
Dr. Saima Azfar, MD, currently holds the esteemed positions of Midwest Regional Director at ICNA Relief and the Director of ICNA Relief's national Back2school program. She pursued her medical education and later relocated to United States in 1998…
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Beena Farid

ICNA Relief
Beena Farid has been a resident of Naperville, Illinois since 2001. She is passionate about social services projects. Currently, she serves as the Outreach Coordinator for ICNA relief where she manages and conducts meetings, coordinates logistical support for various relief efforts, and communicates with masjid management…
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Atya Kazmi

Atya Kazmi has been working at ICNA Relief for the last 10 years. She worked as coordinator for Family Services for 8 years and currently works as the area manager of the Chicago office. She moved to Chicago in 2002 from Canada and volunteered with ICNA in the women’s education programs before joining as staff…
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Family Co-Design Team

Ziad Alrefaai

Ziad Alrefaai is originally from Syria. He came to the U.S. with his family, including his five children. Currently working with Uber, he aspires to witness his children achieve success in life. Ziad’s favorite hobby includes playing chess.
Amar Alrefaai

Amar Alrefaai is originally from Syria and arrived in the U.S. 7 years ago. Currently a senior at Maine South High School, he aspires to study pre-med. In his free time, he enjoys partaking in his favorite hobby, soccer.
Suzan Iami

Suzan Lami came to the U.S. in 2016 with her family. She is a mother of six and a grandmother of four. In Iraq, she dreamed of becoming a nurse and initiated her studies at the Illinois Academy for Nursing. She gained valuable experience working at NorthShore Hospital. In her free time, Suzan enjoys sewing, listening to music, exercising, walking, and collecting antique items.
Reyam Nesery

Reyam Nesery came to the U.S. from Iraq in 2016 with her family. Beginning fifth grade at Devonshire School, she is now a high school senior. Her favorite subject is world religion as she enjoys learning about different faiths. Currently, Reyam is in the process of applying to university with the dream of studying forensic science and criminology. Her hobbies include sewing and learning about cars.
Rami Wahbi

Rami Wabi is originally from Syria. He came to the U.S. in 2016 with his wife and children. He currently works at S&C Electric and hopes to one day start his own business.
Raneem Wahbi

Raneem Wahabi came to the U.S. in 2016 with her family just after finishing first grade. She is currently a freshman in high school and is enrolled in a medical program with the hope of becoming a doctor or nurse in the future.