16 - Surpassing Q & A: Building Trust in Focus Group Facilitation

Abstract Information: Building focus group skills and practice involves a combination of training, ensuring representation of a diversity of viewpoints, and trust-building with participants. As part of our work on the Virginia Needs Assessment (VANA) and Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program, our mixed methods data collection methods included conducting focus groups for a variety of purposes (e.g., survey improvement, needs assessment) with a variety of underrepresented audiences, including peer workers in behavioral health clinics, individuals with intellectual, cognitive/neurological, mental, and medical disabilities. Leveraging our experience conducting focus groups with diverse (and often historically underrepresented) audiences, we will share our lessons learned and tips on how to effectively build trust/rapport, introduce sensitive topics, ensure a safe environment for sharing stories, and utilize stimulus materials to engage participants.