Project SOAR

Project SOAR (Screen Often and Accurately Refer) is a grant-funded project managed by the Louisiana Department of Health. This project will partner with primary caregivers(e.g., parents, guardians, adult siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.), healthcare providers (e.g., Pediatricians, family doctors, Obstetricians, nurses, etc.), and community organizations to discuss experiences with child developmental screening, caregiver depression screening, and follow-up during check-up visits.

Screening helps doctors track how children grow and develop over time, track changes in caregivers' mental health, identify any problems early on, and connect families to the services they need to thrive. By working with parents, guardians, caregivers, and doctors/nurses, Project SOAR hopes to make sure screening and follow-up are happening in ways that work best for young children and families.

What Does Project SOAR Involve?

Over the next 4 years, the project will do the following:

Collect Information from parents, guardians, caregivers, and doctors/nurses to understand developmental screenings, caregiver depression screenings, and follow-up.
Co-create Recommendations and Strategies with parents, guardians, caregivers, and doctors/nurses to address the needs of families in Louisiana.

Want to Get Involved? Explore the Opportunities Below!

Become a SOAR Family Leader - Application Now Closed!

Family Leaders are primary caregivers of children under age 5 in Louisiana who want to share their experiences with check-up visits, doctors, and nurses to make a difference in the lives of Louisiana families.

Who Can Be a Family Leader?

Parenting caregivers in Louisiana with a child under age 5 who have:

Gone to check-up visits with their child.
A passion for the health of young children.
At least 4-5 hours a month to participate.
Access to stable internet or a smartphone.

SOAR Family Leaders will:

Get paid 25$ an hour.
Help improve the health of families with young children by sharing personal experiences from check-up visits, resources, and ideas they think could improve developmental and caregiver depression screenings.

Do I qualify to participate in Project SOAR?

You are eligible to participate in the project if you are a parent, guardian, or primary caregiver who:

Currently lives in Louisiana or has lived in Louisiana in the past 4 years
Has at least one child under the age of 4
Has gone to some of all of their child’s pediatric check-ups with a doctor or nurse in Louisiana

How can I participate in Project SOAR?

Currently, you can get paid $50 for up to 2 hours of participation in our Parent and Caregiver Group Discussions or $25/ hour to become a Family Leader with Project SOAR.

Interested parents, guardians, and caregivers can apply to participate in the Group Discussions and apply to become Family Leaders. Both applications close on July 10 at 11:59 pm!

Will I have to travel to participate in Project SOAR?

In the current Phase of Project SOAR, no travel is required.

Will I get paid for participating in Project SOAR?

You will receive compensation and a big thanks for participating in Project SOAR! Instructions on how to complete the form to receive payment will be included in the participation instructions we give to you. The money will be sent to you via check following your participation.

Can I refer a family member or friend to participate in Project SOAR?

Yes, please do! If you have a family member or friend interested in participating in Project SOAR, they can contact us at FamilyHealth@la.gov.

What if I join the project and then am unable to participate?

Project SOAR is 100% voluntary! You tell us how and when you can participate based on the options we share with you. If you join, change your mind, and never participate, that is okay! We will do our best to work around your and your family’s schedule.

If I decline to participate initially, can I choose to participate later?

Please reach out to us when you are ready and willing to participate. Our Outreach Coordinator will follow up with you regarding any available opportunities to participate.

Will I have to disclose personal information about myself, my child, or about the doctors who provided care to me in the surveys or focus groups?

No. We will not require that you share identifying information about your children, your family, your healthcare providers, or the health clinics you go to at any point during your participation. When completing the consent form, you will be asked for information that will be used to analyze the information we receive from all participants. You are only required to answer questions that will help us determine the questions you receive in the survey. While we appreciate all information you are willing to provide, we also want you to feel comfortable providing that information.

On payment forms, some personal information is required but is only shared with Project SOAR.

Social Media Toolkit

This Social Media Toolkit will help community partners inform families across Louisiana about what Project SOAR is, how they can participate, and why families and children are important to the success of this project. The perspectives of families are at the center of Project SOAR because, as experts in their experiences, they have the power to guide future decisions about services and programs for young children and families.

You can use the following social media graphics on your own social media accounts (X, Facebook, and Instagram) to inform families in your region about how to participate in Project SOAR. Include each post on your social media by clicking on the images to open them in another tab, right-clicking and hitting “save as,” and then copying and pasting the captions under each graphic. Make sure to tag Partners for Family Health at @LouisianaPFH in all of your Project SOAR-related posts!

Social Media Captions

Facebook & Instagram: Are you a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 5 in Louisiana? Get paid for your time and ideas to participate in Project SOAR as a Family Leader! Project SOAR wants to work with you to create a statewide plan to improve early childhood healthcare. Get involved here: ldh.la.gov/project-soar

X: Are you a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 5 in LA? Get paid for your time and ideas to participate in Project SOAR as a Family Leader! SOAR is looking for 3 more Family Leaders to create a statewide plan to improve early childhood healthcare. Get involved here: ldh.la.gov/project-soar

Facebook & Instagram: Are you a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 4 in LA? Get paid to chat with Project SOAR and other parents/caregivers like you in small group discussions! The project is partnering with families to learn about their experiences with screening and follow-up and help them get the support they need. Learn more about getting involved here: ldh.la.gov/project-soar

X: Are you a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 4 in LA? Get paid to chat with Project SOAR and caregivers like you! SOAR wants to learn about your experiences with screening and follow-up to help families get the support they need. Learn more: ldh.la.gov/project-soar

Funding

Project SOAR is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,278,000 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Contact

Have a question about getting involved with Project SOAR? Email us or call (504) 568-3511.