“Implemented on a whim, discredited on an anecdote.” Have you ever felt that way about a program? Ever felt that you don’t know why or how your program helps youth – just that it does? Even been frustrated by the disconnect between researchers, providers and policy-makers?
On Thursday two of YIPA’s staff continued YIPA’s search for solutions to these issues for youth intervention by attending a presentation entitled “In Pursuit of Effective Best Practices for Out of School Time” with Robert C. Granger Ed. D., President of the William T. Grant Foundation. This free event, sponsored by the Extension Center for Youth Development, was attended by over 300 people and when Dr. Granger used the phrase “implemented on a whim, discredited on an anecdote” to describe certain programs the audience’s laugh was full of understanding. We have all seen programs that lack thoughtfulness and self-reflection or programs with outcomes requirements that don’t match program models.
The good news is that there are many exciting developments happening right now in program assessment and the implementation of effective best practices for youth in school, out of school time, child welfare and other fields. YIPA is working to make early youth intervention a part of that conversation.
Granger’s full presentation, which includes many useful sites and articles can be found here at the Extension website. Some of the key take-aways from the event include:
- The focus is shifting from which programs work, to why certain activities are effective at changing young people’s lives.
- When evaluating a program we have to keep in mind the effect that the rest of life outside of that program has on a young person.
- Quality measures need to be a part of the process – looking at how staff interact with young people and how programs run, not just on youth outcomes.
- Programs managers are key for embedding new research into program protocol and practice.
- Outcomes measures are most effective when they test current practices against some attempt to make the program better (i.e. Do kids do better when x is introduced to a program? Rather than, is this program producing results yes or no?).
YIPA is working with the University of Minnesota, the Office of Justice Program and with some of you to make early youth intervention programs leaders in evaluation and implementation of new best practices. We have been learning a lot! In the coming months we will be presenting some new information and ideas about ways that all youth intervention programs can get involved in the constant strive for better programs. We are always looking for more people to be a part of this conversation. If you would like to share ideas/ experiences in program evaluation please email Clare at cryan@mnyipa.org.
Here is a list of some websites that we have found helpful for learning about evaluation and best practices:
Forum for Youth Investment: Measuring Program Quality
University of MN Extension Applied Youth Research
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