Conference attendees were asked to provide feedback via an evaluation survey conducted at the end of each conference. With the goal of obtaining more feedback from convening participants, we asked attendees in the most recent convening to complete a paper and pencil (hard copy) of the evaluation survey while still at the conference (a change from the online survey conducted the previous year). We consequently received a higher response rate in surveys in 2018 (N=115) from the previous year (N=36). 

Upon reviewing roundtable notes on “take-away” messages, we gathered that participants increased their knowledge of the existing research on the mental health effects of undocumented status, and many expressed a desire to tie research findings to action and advocacy. Groups reflected on the importance of both research and community organization perspectives during the panel presentations, while also recognizing the need to elevate the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by immigration policies (i.e., multiple narratives of those with undocumented status, diverse immigrant communities and intersecting identities). Groups from the roundtable discussion generated many actions steps that reflected the diverse role an organization presents, including: (a) professional development opportunities for direct providers, educators, and allies; (b) creating spaces for deeper conversation and community-building among various ethnic communities and LGBTQ communities; (c) dissemination of research to communities and service providers; (d) sharing resources and cross-sector collaboration on funding opportunities; and (e) broadening definitions of mental health to reduce stigma, encourage open dialogue, and empower communities. Lastly, some groups also identified barriers and challenges in this work which largely reflected lack of resources/funding, access to services, and creating safe or “brave” spaces (i.e., pervasive fears of deportation).  

Based on the evaluations from those who attended most of the conference, we gathered positive feedback related to the learning goals of the conference. The majority of attendees agreed (65.2% in 2017/44.4% in 2018) or strongly agreed (34.8% in 2017/44.4% in 2018) that the convenings highlighted ways that research-practice-policy collaborations can address the mental health of immigrant communities, and the majority (90-95% in both 2017 and 2018) agreed/strongly agreed that the convenings helped them better understand the effects of undocumented status, the immigrant context, and how research is relevant to their everyday work with immigrant communities. Results from the 2018 convening revealed that the majority (93.4%) believed there was a strong focus on highlighting the narratives of those directly impacted by immigration policy.

The data from these evaluations further seems to show that there is value in networking and working collectively to inform each other to optimize services and advocacy on behalf of immigrant families. The general positive response seems to suggest that there is an ongoing need for training that specifically heightens understanding of the complex experiences of the individual immigrant and best practices with immigrant families and communities. Each convening ended with a Call to Action to encourage CIMH members and attendees to engage in social action advocacy efforts on behalf of all immigrants, outlining specific ways to do this. These efforts positioned CIMH and its allies to engage coalition members, community members as well as other stakeholders in advocating for positive legislative policies and initiatives that support immigrant communities.