Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s program, Play Nicely, designed to assist parents in avoiding aggressive behaviors when raising children, is undergoing a significant update. Originally developed over 20 years ago by Dr. Seth Scholer, a physician at VUMC, the program’s website is now being revamped with the help of Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. The objective is to release a new version of the application, incorporating animations and videos from previous versions while also introducing Spanish and Arabic language options.
The project commenced in mid-March with a target completion date by the end of June. Professor of Pediatrics Seth Scholer actively participated in the process, providing guidance and working closely with Director of the Digital Commons Cazembe Kennedy to explore various options available to the project’s coordinators. As part of the project, Kennedy accompanied Scholer on a tour of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, showcasing the earlier versions of the program and its connection to current caretaker assessments used at the hospital.
Under the leadership of Kennedy, the project is progressing smoothly, engaging key internal and external stakeholders. As a multitiered collaboration within the libraries, Kennedy adopted Chief Digital Strategist Clifford Anderson’s proposed architecture processes and structured them into multi-week sprints. A consulting team was assembled within the library to oversee the different phases, with specialized subcontractors in website design and development enlisted based on the project’s requirements. Collaboration with Vanderbilt’s Translation Services teams enabled the translation of the website into Spanish and Arabic, thereby broadening the project’s reach and capacity to support a larger number of patients. Overcoming language barriers is crucial in delivering sustainable, high-quality care. Throughout the process, Scholer provided valuable feedback and addressed queries essential to completing the work.
The libraries’ expertise in comprehending project needs and effectively interacting with individuals possessing diverse skill sets has proven instrumental in ensuring the efficient completion of the work. Kennedy noted, “The libraries approach potential solutions to digital project thoughtfully, respecting the time, space, and people involved in the process.”