Study Design Questions:
What is the purpopse of the study?
The purpose of this research is to gather information about the use of a health and wellness app in combination with behavior change support to impact the health and wellness of Head Start Early Childhood Educators (ECEs). Findings from this research study may be used to inform future research to improve the health and wellness of Head Start educators in the greater Boston area, or to inform policy for Head Start more broadly.
How long is the study?
It is expected that your participation will last up to one year.
What activities and procedures will I need to participate in?
1. Participate in three (3) center-based Health Fairs, where the studyteam will measure your height, weight, and blood pressure, take a small sample of blood with a finger prick, and ask you to complete a 24-hour food recall and a health behavior survey.
2. Schedule and attend monthly (Zoom) 15-minute meetings with a student Guide, who will provide support for your personal health and wellness goals.
3. Receive free unlimited use of a popular health and wellness app (Wellable), which includes educational information, online classes and access to online coaches.
What are the risks if I participate?
The risks or discomforts associated with this research include possible discomfort with discussing your health and wellness behaviors, or with participation in the Health Fairs. There are no foreseeable risks to participating in the ZOOM meetings or phone calls with the Guides, or having access to the Wellable App. Although a data/confidentiality breach is almost always a small risk, the Wellable app, Zoom and phone technology have all been reviewed and approved by Tufts Technology Service for appropriate data security and confidentiality measures for this research. Wellable will collect use data from participants but will not retain ownership of the data and will provide data to the Tufts research team as part of their agreement.
What are the benefits of me participating?
There are no direct benefits to you from participating in this research study, but youmay benefit from the use of the Wellable app or sessions with Tufts Guides. The information you provide may inform future health and wellness interventions for Head Start educators, either locally in the Boston area or nationally.
What is the compensation for the research?
Upon completion of each Health Fair, we will send you a $50 Tango e-gift card to the email address that you have provided. You can receive up to $150 in Tango e-gift cards (3 Health Fairs X $50) for participating in this study.
Is my participation voluntary, and can I withdraw?
It is your choice to participate or not to participate in this research. Participation is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you can stop at any time. Your decision whether to participate will not affect your relationship with the Tufts researchers and study team, or any of your work colleagues, supervisors or the Head Start organization. There are no consequences or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled if you do not participate. You have the right to choose not to participate in any study activity or completely withdraw from continued participation at any point in this study without any penalty/consequences/loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If your employment with ABCD Head Start ends during the study, you will be withdrawn from the study and no data additional data will be collected from you. If you withdraw or are withdrawn from the study, the data collected to the point of withdrawal may be used in this research and in ways detailed above.
Who is invited to participate?
All center-based teachers and assistant teachers from ABCD Head Start are invited to participate in this research study.
Who is eligible to participate?
– 18 years of age or older
– Teacher and Assistant Teacher at ABCD Boston HS or EHS- Comfortable communicating in English (reading, writing, and speaking)
– Able to download and use a health and wellness app on your phone or computer
– Able to attend eight 15-minute meetings (via Zoom) with a Guide over 9 months.
Wellable:
What is Wellable?
Wellable is a popular health app that provides health related content related to healthy eating, physical activity, and relaxation/sleep. For more information, please visit https://www.wellable.co/.
How do I get access to Wellable?
When do I get access to Wellable?