Evaluating Youth Drop-In Programs: The Utility of Process Evaluation Methods

In North America, neighbourhood youth centres typically off er essential community-based programs to disadvantaged and marginalized populations. In addition to providing pro-social and supportive environments, they provide a host of educational and skill-development opportunities and interventions that build self-esteem, increase positive life relationships and experiences, and address social determinants of health. However, evaluators of such centres often have to work with moving changes in temporal components (i.e., service users, services, programs, and outcomes) that are unique and idiosyncratic to the mandate of the centre. Although there is an abundance of research on youth programs in general, there is a void in the literature on drop-in programs specifically, which this study aims to address. Th e lack of empirical research in this area inhibits knowledge about the processes of these centres. For this reason, the article concludes that process evaluation methods may be effectively used to substantiate the practice skills, knowledge, and managerial competencies of those responsible for program implementation.

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Organized Athletics for Preadolescent Children

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.84.3.583 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 583-584

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Motor Skills ◽

The United States ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Free Play ◽

Athletic Programs ◽

Community Based ◽

Self Image ◽

Preadolescent Children ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

And Training

Each year in the United States, millions of preadolescent children participate in organized athletics. Some organized athletic programs are community based; others are school sponsored, either as extracurricula programs or as part of physical education classes. Most coaches in community-based programs are volunteers who have no formal training or expertise in coaching. The credentials and training of grade school coaches are highly variable. Therefore, many US preadolescents are involved in athletics without the benefit of specific program goals aimed at ensuring the most beneficial physical, psychologic, and recreational outcomes. Coaches, officials, parents, and program designers all play critical roles in shaping the child's early athletic experience and the child's self-esteem. The goals of the program and the behavior of all of the adults involved should focus upon assisting the child to develop: (1) an enjoyment of sports and fitness that will be sustained through adulthood, (2) physical fitness, (3) basic motor skills, (4) a positive self-image, (5) a balanced perspective on sports in relation to the child's school and community life, and (6) a commitment to the values of teamwork, fair play, and sportsmanship. In addition, efforts must be made to make the sport as safe as possible. Enjoyment of sports and fitness in childhood will increase the likelihood of a child pursuing these activities through adulthood. Children should be allowed to try a variety of sports and to choose sports that appeal to them. If children require more than gentle encouragement, then they are not ready for involvement. Unstructured free play should be encouraged to enhance enjoyment of sports, as well as to promote spontaneity and creativity.

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Recognition of Community-Based Youth Programming in Counseling Psychology Journals: A 30-Year Analysis

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/00110000211057913 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 001100002110579

Author(s):

Laura E. Jensen ◽

Amanda S. Case

Keyword(s):

Social Justice ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Counseling Psychology ◽

Culturally Responsive ◽

Youth Programs ◽

Community Based ◽

Time Period ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

Client Strengths ◽

Future Direction

As a field, counseling psychology distinguishes itself through its values of building on client strengths, developmentally-informed and preventative approaches to treatment, social justice efforts to confront individual and systemic oppression, and treatment of individuals across the lifespan. Community-based youth programs offer a culturally-responsive way to advocate for and challenge the systemic inequities faced by youth today. Despite the connections between counseling psychology values and community-based programs, it is unclear how, and to what extent, the field has contributed to this literature. To address this issue, we conducted a content analysis of the three major counseling psychology journals to determine how community-based youth programs have been represented in the field. From January 1990 to March 2019 only 10 articles were published about community-based youth programming, representing only .17% of the articles published during that time period. Implications and future direction for researchers, journals, and the field as a whole are addressed.

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Complexity in Implementing Community Drowning Reduction Programs in Southern Bangladesh: A Process Evaluation Protocol

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16060968 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 968 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Medhavi Gupta ◽

Aminur Rahman ◽

Kamran ul Baset ◽

Rebecca Ivers ◽

Anthony Zwi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Process Evaluation ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Community Based ◽

Middle Income ◽

Safe Environment ◽

Evaluation Protocol ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

Key Informant ◽

And Gender ◽

Depth Interviews

Living and geographical conditions in Bangladesh expose children to a high risk of drowning. Two programs operating in the Barishal Division of Bangladesh aim to reduce drowning risk through the provision of crèches (Anchal) and swim and rescue classes (SwimSafe). Anchal provides a safe environment with early childhood education to children aged 1–5 years old, while SwimSafe teaches children aged 6–10 years old basic swimming and rescue skills. Despite evidence for their effectiveness, it is unclear under which conditions these programs best operate. This protocol describes a project that seeks to conduct a process evaluation and gender analysis to identify implementation inefficiencies and contextual considerations for improved sustainability of the programs. A mixed- method approach using both qualitative and quantitative data will be used. Quantitative program data will be analysed to measure program utilisation, delivery and reach, while qualitative data will be collected via key informant in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and observations. The process evaluation of the Anchal and SwimSafe programs provides an opportunity for implementers to identify practical strategies to improve program delivery and improve contextual adaptability of these programs. Furthermore, the findings may provide guidance to other implementers aiming to deliver community-based programs in rural lower-middle income contexts.

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Process Evaluation of a Large-Scale Community-Based Nutrition Program in Malawi

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz131 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julie C Ruel-Bergeron ◽

Kristen M Hurley ◽

Audrey Buckland ◽

Trust Mlambo ◽

Yunhee Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Process Evaluation ◽

Program Implementation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

High Fidelity ◽

Food Groups ◽

Community Based ◽

Nutrition Program ◽

Direct Observations ◽

Quality Aspects

ABSTRACT Background Global attention to the study of nutrition program implementation has been inadequate yet is critical for effective delivery and impact at scale. Objectives The objective of this mixed-methods process evaluation study was to measure the recruitment, fidelity, and reach of a large-scale, community-based nutrition program in Malawi. Methods The nutrition program delivered a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in households with children aged 6–23 mo. Program monitoring and evaluation data were used to measure program recruitment, reach, and fidelity. Structured direct observations and knowledge questionnaires with program volunteers measured quality aspects of program fidelity. The number of times activities were done correctly was used to tabulate proportions used to represent program functioning. Results Half (49.5%) of eligible children redeemed program benefits by 8 mo of age during the first 4 y of program implementation. Implementation of training activities for SBCC cadres exceeded program targets (100.6%), but the completion of certain modules (breastfeeding and complementary feeding) was lower (22.9% and 18.6%, respectively). Knowledge of IYCF, WASH, and SQ-LNS messages by volunteers was >85% for most messages, except ability to list the 6 food groups (35.7%). Structured direct observations of SQ-LNS distributions indicated high fidelity to program design, whereas those of household-level counseling sessions revealed lack of age-appropriate messaging. Program reach showed participation in monthly distribution sessions of 81.0%, group counseling of 93.3%, and individual-level counseling of 36.9%. Conclusions This community-based nutrition program was implemented with high fidelity and quality, with specific interventions requiring further attention. The documentation of implementation contributes to our understanding about how program impacts were achieved.

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Counseling Adolescents With Hearing Loss Using a Narrative Therapy Approach

Perspectives on Administration and Supervision ◽

10.1044/aas19.2.72 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 72-78

Author(s):

Rebecca L. Nelson Crowell ◽

Julie Hanenburg ◽

Amy Gilbertson

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Process Evaluation ◽

Narrative Therapy ◽

Daily Life ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Therapy Approach ◽

Self Worth ◽

Counseling Adolescents

Abstract Audiologists have a responsibility to counsel patients with auditory concerns on methods to manage the inherent challenges associated with hearing loss at every point in the process: evaluation, hearing aid fitting, and follow-up visits. Adolescents with hearing loss struggle with the typical developmental challenges along with communicative challenges that can erode one's self-esteem and self-worth. The feeling of “not being connected” to peers can result in feelings of isolation and depression. This article advocates the use of a Narrative Therapy approach to counseling adolescents with hearing loss. Adolescents with hearing loss often have problem-saturated narratives regarding various components of their daily life, friendships, amplification, academics, etc. Audiologists can work with adolescents with hearing loss to deconstruct the problem-saturated narratives and rebuild the narratives into a more empowering message. As the adolescent retells their positive narrative, they are likely to experience increased self-esteem and self-worth.

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Community Based Programs for Children and Young People Affected by Domestic Violence in New Zealand

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e516652013-122 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Vaishali Mona Verma

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

New Zealand ◽

Young People ◽

Community Based ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Community Based Programs

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Shifting Sands: Alternative Approaches to Evaluating Evolving Community-Based Programs

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e628622012-527 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

G. Kuperminc ◽

K. Broomfield ◽

S. Erickson

Keyword(s):

Community Based ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

Alternative Approaches

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Does the Arc of Science Bend Towards Impact? Four Decades of Empirical Research Published in JADD Since the DSM-III

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-021-05052-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Doehring

Keyword(s):

Empirical Research ◽

Research Funding ◽

Basic Research ◽

Intervention Research ◽

Community Based ◽

Community Impact ◽

Population Impact ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

Over 40 Years ◽

Over Time

AbstractThe present study explored the shift from understanding to intervention to population impact in the empirical research published in this journal at five points of time over 40 years since the release of DSM-III. Two-thirds of the more than 600 original studies identified involved basic research, a pattern that is consistent with previous analyses of research funding allocations and that did not change over time. One of every eight studies involved intervention research, which occurred in community-based programs only about one-quarter of the time. These gaps in intervention research and community impact did not improve over time. The findings underscore the need to broaden the training and experience of researchers, and to re-consider priorities for research funding and publication.

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