Objectives: MAP (Mères avec pouvoir, or in English, Mothers with Power) is a program that proposes a comprehensive approach to promote the social and vocational integration of low income single mothers with children under six years old. Using the results of a qualitative evaluation of the program’s outcomes and the contextual factors that produced the outcomes, this article aims to identify the aspects of the program that are most promising for practise.
Method: To assess the program outcomes, the study used two monitoring tools and an information sheet on each participant. An in-depth analysis of the connections between the program’s outcomes and the contextual factors that produced them was conducted using 15 case studies, a case being defined as the integration path of each participant during their involvement in the program. For each case, four data sources were used; in addition to the monitoring tools, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the case workers at two points in time.
Results: Data showed positive outcomes for this program. After three years, a majority of the participants returned to school, completed high school, started collegial studies, or found employment. These outcomes resulted from a set of factors, including structure provided in the living environment, support from an intervention team working in proximity with the participants, and individualized links with community programs and services.
Conclusion: The results support the relevance of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the social and vocational integration of low income single mothers.
Electronic Supplementary Material: Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.17269/CJPH.106.4845 and is accessible for authorized users.