Aims: LIVESTRONG began providing phone and online based one-on-one navigation support for anyone affected by cancer in 2004. Through 2009, over 35,000 people were provided with support and services. In 2010, LIVESTRONG decided to expand existing services and offer in-person navigation services to those who live in Central Texas.
Methods: In order to best serve the needs of the greater Austin community, a thorough needs assessment was conducted to determine the strengths and gaps in existing services. Multiple strategies were conducted, which included: in person interviews, surveys, discussion forums and informational meetings.
Results: The findings from the community assessment strategies did provide evidence that a comprehensive navigation service was needed in greater Austin. There were no programs currently in existence that met the needs of the community as comprehensively (not discriminating against cancer type or stage) nor was there a program that provided services in Spanish or free of charge. Based on the over 6 months of community assessment finding, LIVESTRONG expanded its navigation services model to provide in person services to those in Central Texas.
Conclusions: Unique relationships were built within the Austin community that afforded opportunities to build awareness of the newly developed in-person services. These included a Grand Opening that was attended by local organizations and Austin city council members, a telethon hosted by Univision, outdoor banner ads and radio public service announcements. In the first year that the in-person services were offered there was an increase by 123% in the number of Texans who reached out for support from LIVESTRONG. Additionally there was an increase by over 70% in those served from the Hispanic-Latino community. Preliminary results of the in-person psychosocial counseling services offered show decreased distress levels after 6-8 1-hour sessions.