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Since 2015, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences students have implemented asthma education intervention in the community in a course called Asthma-Based Research. This course, now taught by Associate Professors of Nursing Judith Quaranta ’79, MS ’98, PhD ’13, and Rosa Darling ’07, MS ’09, PhD ’10 under the name Undergraduate Research Seminar Nursing 499, this Community-Engaged Learning course has evolved to provide a valuable tool to more youth in the local community and across the country.

While continuing asthma-based research and asthma education in the community, Quaranta and her class noticed tendencies within the populations with whom they were working.

“Kids with asthma have a lower sense of wellbeing,” said Madison Kozlowski ‘22, who is now working as an ICU nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in the cardiothoracic center. Kozlowski worked with Quaranta as a student in the Nursing 499 course.

Throughout her time at the University, Quaranta has worked alongside faculty developing a tool to measure well-being in adults. Through her collaboration with local schools and youth in the community, she saw the value in interpreting this scale for children, particularly during the onset of COVID-19. During the initial stages of developing the scale, that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a noticeable decrease in child well-being, an increase in mental health and behavioral issues, and a decline in physical well-being.

Utilizing existing partnerships with local schools, focus groups were formed that were composed of three to five students within the third, fourth and fifth grades. Students were initially asked to view the original scale made for adults, interpreting the images as feelings. They were asked if there were better images that could be substituted for these emotions and if any emotions were missing, which resulted in additional scales added, including scales for bravery and anger.

The Pediatric Well-being Picture Scale currently exists as a worksheet that asks youth to circle which of three photos they identify with most. After completing the various scales, a score is calculated that determines if intervention is needed.

“This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool,” said Quaranta. “We know if someone scores below a certain threshold, they need to have further assessment.”

Darling and Quaranta have received funding from the Community Engagement Faculty Teaching and Research Grant to support their work, including sending students to present their research at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo. At the expo, Kozlowski and other current and former students shared the development and publication of the tool. Audience members were prompted to scan a QR code to show interest in utilizing the tool, resulting in interest expressed by individuals across the country, including Texas and Connecticut.

Future Nursing 499 classes will continue to work on the Pediatric Well-being Picture Scale, fine-tuning the current worksheet and developing an app to increase ease of use and availability.

Community-engaged projects are showcased in 91����’s Collaboratory

is 91����’s official online database for community engagement and public service activities. Visit Collaboratory to find other projects like this one, and to learn what 91���� students, faculty and staff are doing with their community partners.

91���� is dedicated to community engagement that advances community priorities, enhances faculty teaching and research and supports student development. Through the Center for Civic Engagement, the University prioritizes these relationships through funding, support and ongoing partnerships. Solidifying this commitment, the University is seeking the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, an elective classification that reflects strong institutional commitment to community engagement through our mission, identity and practices.