Engaging Latino parents: An outcome evaluation of the Academia de Cultura Latina Para Padres

Social capital interventions have been linked to various health and well-being outcomes in children and families. This study evaluated the Academia de Cultura Latina Para Padres (ACLP), a grass roots women-led parent engagement program that aimed to increase its participants' understanding and access to information about their children's education to support their academic success. Cross-sectional data were collected from 100 Latino caregivers who were on average 40.3 (SD = 12.12) years old, participated in the ACLP program between September and November 2019, and had at least one child or grandchild who attended Rosa Parks Elementary School in San Diego, California. A paired t test and multiple linear regression were conducted to compare the participants' scores on a pretest and posttest. A thematic analysis approach was also used to code participant responses to open-ended workshop satisfaction questionnaires. Participants scored significantly higher on the posttest after participating in the ACLP program, and although we did not find a significant relationship between the participants' attendance and posttests, we found a significant relationship between their positive ratings of the workshops and posttest scores. Findings from this study can inform future parent involvement programs, strategies for community engagement and practice with Latino caregivers, and research.