Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyChapter 9 Collaboration Area Three - TheHigh School and the Health ServiceOverviewThis chapter focus on collaboration between health and education sectors thatsought to improve the health and well-being needs of young Aboriginalwomen. Although originally I had intended to work directly with youngAboriginal women at Gilles Plains, this did not eventuate for a range ofcomplex reasons. Rather, this Collaboration Area became focused on howGilles Plains Aboriginal Outreach Health Service and the local high schoolWindsor Gardens Vocational College, could work together to improve youngAboriginal women’s access to health information, services and improved wellbeing.MethodsThe methods used in this Collaboration Area included semi structuredinterviews, meetings and collaborative action within large and smaller cyclesof Look and Listen, Think and Discuss and Take Action. Five education staffmembers participated in semi structured interviews at the school. Eachparticipant was asked about their experiences, knowledge and perspectivesabout young Aboriginal women’s health and well-being within and in relationto the school setting.Thematic analysis was used during initial interviews and follow up memberchecking to draw out themes. In addition all data including evaluations and deidentifiedstudent feedback as discussed by education and health staff wasentered onto NVivo soft ware for additional analysis. The data are presented asa series of themes, and the collaborative action generated from these themesdiscussed as five events, one occurring for each school term during the time ofthe research.Co-researcher selectionCo-researchers comprised staff members at Windsor Gardens VocationalCollege who were specifically involved in working with young Aboriginal261