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A Developmental Evaluation of Agency and Parent Perspectives on Parent Involvement, Understanding and Utilizing the Context
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| Presenter(s):
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| Jacqueline Counts, University of Kansas, jcounts@ku.edu
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| Rebecca Gillam, University of Kansas, rgillam@ku.edu
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| Karin Chang-Rios, University of Kansas, kcr@ku.edu
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| Abstract:
Parent involvement is a critical component of early childhood programs. Many agencies struggle to authentically involve parents, therefore Kansas early childhood stakeholders undertook an initiative to better understand parent involvement. Evaluators used a developmental evaluation approach to understand how parents define involvement and access supports and how agencies utilize parent input to make programmatic changes. Developmental evaluation was chosen over traditional methods to capture system dynamics and complex relationships and to generate context-specific strategies. Results will be presented from a survey with over 90 agencies and focus groups with over 100 parents on understanding of, barriers to, and opportunities for involvement. Our plan to utilize the results with parents and agencies to develop a statewide initiative will be presented. Finally, the advantages of using a developmental evaluation to understand the context and identify patterns that support or impede the parent initiative will be discussed.
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Looking at the Big Picture While Reading the Fine Print: Transforming Evaluation Data Into Agency and Larger System Improvement
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| Presenter(s):
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| Brian Pagkos, Community Connections of New York, bpagkos@comconnectionsny.org
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| Heidi Milch, Community Connections of New York, hmilch@comconnectionsny.org
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| Christa Foschio-Bebak, Community Connections of New York, cfoschio-bebak@comconnectionsny.org
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| Abstract:
It is not enough to have evaluation results and data readily available as the use of said data is what transforms practice and ultimately the outcomes for those served. Every quarter, Community Connections of New York (CCNY) evaluates the effectiveness of all six care coordination agencies providing wraparound for Erie County, NY. Evaluation data, stakeholder input and current literature inform the development of program QI plans. When completed, these plans are reviewed for unique (agency specific) and mutual goals across multiple agencies. CCNY responds with a two-pronged approach: continue providing ongoing support for each agency as well as advocating for system development to affect all care coordination agencies. The presentation will discuss this process in three care coordination agencies, describing how evaluation and improvement efforts can be used to value individual agency needs as well as address gaps within the overarching system of wraparound in Erie County.
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Utilizing a Randomized Control Trial Study in Child Welfare: The Jeffco Community Connection Project
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| Presenter(s):
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| Julie Morales, University of Denver, julie.morales@du.edu
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| Robin Leake, University of Denver, robin.leake@du.edu
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| Sheridan Green, University of Denver, sheridan.green@du.edu
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| Cathryn Potter, University of Denver, cathryn.potter@du.edu
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| Natalie Williams, Jefferson County Department of Human Services, nwilliams@jeffco.us
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| Abstract:
Working in partnership with Jefferson County Department of Human Services, the Butler Institute for Families planned and implemented a randomized control trial study of the effectiveness of a collaborative child welfare and public welfare services intervention: the Jeffco Community Connection (JCC) Project. The current paper describes the year-long planning phase and the initial implementation phase of the JCC project. The paper addresses 3 major components of the project that are relevant to the field of evaluation research in child welfare. The authors discuss: 1) utilizing a participatory approach to project planning and development; 2) that establishing a strong collaborative relationship between the evaluator, the project director and staff was essential to an effective intervention design; and 3) the importance of aligning the dual priorities of ensuring the functionality of the project plan for human services line staff and supervisors, and implementing the intervention with a high degree of integrity and fidelity.
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