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Come Together Now: Measuring the Level of Collaboration
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| Presenter(s):
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| Yvonne Kellar-Guenther, University of Colorado, Denver, yvonne.kellar-guenther@ucdenver.edu
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| William Betts, University of Colorado, Denver, william.betts@ucdenver.edu
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| Abstract:
For many programs to have sustainability, true collaboration needs to occur. As evaluators, we are often asked to measure the level of collaboration. Over the past year we have tested a measure of collaboration with three different groups. The groups vary from state leaders setting goals for a statewide initiative to a small group of early childhood, public health, mental health, and workforce providers coming together at a local level to serve TANF-eligible clients. We use a measure originally developed by Frey et al. (2006) which we have combined with subscales that measure key traits for collaboration which include trust, and shared decision making. We have looked at correlations between the sub-scales and the collaboration ratings on Frey’s measure. We have also talked with people who filled out the measure to about the acceptability of the measure. In the paper we share what we have learned to date.
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The Use of Time Series Design and Intervention Analysis in Evaluating Welfare Policy
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| Presenter(s):
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| Elizabeth Hayden, Northeastern University, hayden.e@neu.edu
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| Abstract:
Since the implementation of the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, state and federal courts are less likely to receive cases from welfare claimants challenging some aspect of welfare programs. Utilizing an Interrupted Time Series research design, findings from this national study indicate: (1) a decrease in welfare litigation since PRWORA, and (2) courts are more likely to grant favorable outcomes to the state than they are to welfare recipients post 1996 reform. These outcomes in judicial decision-making are more likely to occur during stringent reforms. This research will illustrate the disposition of these cases, and subsequently, the effectiveness and fairness of welfare policy along with failures in program implementation.
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Conceptualizing and Measuring Innovativeness Among Community-Based Health and Social Service Programs
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| Presenter(s):
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| Daniel Finkelstein, Mathematica Policy Research, dfinkelstein@mathematica-mpr.com
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| Margaret Hargreaves, Mathematica Policy Research, mhargreaves@mathematica-mpr.com
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| Beth Stevens, Mathematica Policy Research, bstevens@mathematica-mpr.com
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| Abstract:
Within the health and human services sector, there is widespread recognition of the need for developing innovative models to deliver services to vulnerable populations. Several foundation and award programs, such as Harvard University’s Innovations in American Government Awards Program and the Ashoka Fellows Program, currently support individuals and organizations in piloting innovative community-based health and social service projects. The federal government’s Social Innovation Fund Competition has further bolstered these efforts. Despite consensus that fostering innovation is a priority within this sector, there has been limited theoretical or empirical work to rate the characteristics of innovative health and social services programs. As a part of an evaluation of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Local Funding Partnerships Program (LFP), this paper reports on (1) a conceptual model to define innovativeness within the non-profit sector, (2) the development of a tool to rate the innovativeness of community-based health and social service projects, and (3) an analysis comparing the innovativeness of LFP-funded projects to those receiving support from other award programs.
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Evaluating Equality Impacts of a Social Services Program in Brazil
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| Presenter(s):
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| Miguel Fontes, John Snow, Brazil, m.fontes@johnsnow.com.br
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| Lorena Vilarins, Social Service Industry, Brazil, lorena.vilarins@sesi.org.br
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| Rodrigo Laro, John Snow, Brazil, r.laro@johnsnow.com.br
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| Fabrízio Pereira, Social Service Industry, Brazil, fpereira@sesi.org.br
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| Diana Barbosa, Independent Consultant, tb.diana@yahoo.com.br
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| Danielle Valverde, National Union of Municipal Education Managers, danielle_valverde@hotmail.com
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| Abstract:
Objectives: In 2008, SESI implemented the Citizenship Rights Event in 30 Brazilian municipalities, offering 1.3 million individuals access to 15 basic social and health services. The objective of this evaluation is demonstrating the equality impact of the program.
Methods: A national survey was conducted in November 2008 (n=9,729). A Scale was generated based on access to 15 types of basic social and health services. An adaptation of the Hoover Index was used to evaluate equality impact on access to basic services by gender, race, and age.
Results: Women, African-Brazilians, and youth were identified as the most vulnerable groups to accessibility of basic social services (ex-ante). After the program, reduction in the final inequality index was only observed for gender, from 0,029 to 0,022; for race and age, changes were insignificant.
Conclusions: The Program demonstrated direct impact on reducing inequalities in access to basic social services for gender.
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