The major goals of this project are to develop, field-test, and update a practical approach to conceptualizing and conducting program evaluations. The practical evaluation model constituting the focus of development includes the assessment of four major program-related elements: (a) program goals and objectives, (b) program activities, (c) staff helpgiving behavior, and (d) participant benefits. The focus of evaluation using the model discerns whether a program did what it said it would do (activities) in ways it said it would do it (staff helpgiving behavior) that produce expected outcomes (participant benefits) consistent with stated program intentions (goals and objectives).
The major goals of the AAA Principles Project are the development and use of family support principles (belief statements) as standards and benchmarks for judging the extent to which family support program practices are consistent with guiding beliefs. Principles are conceptualized as behavioral promises and program guarantees regarding staff and program practices that family members can expect as part of their participation in family support programs. Family member assessment of the degree of adherence to family support principle indicators is used as the primary means for ascertaining the match between belief statements and practitioner and program practices.
The major goals of the Parenting and Family Support Program Practices Scale are to develop and field-test measurement procedures for ascertaining the extent to which a program meets exacting criteria for being a family support or resource program. The scale includes six sets of measures (guiding beliefs and values, program foundations, parent education practices, parenting support practices, family resource practices, and community engagement practices) that are used for assessing whether a program has adopted and used practices in each program component. Both self-assessment and research versions of the scale are being field-tested to determine their usefulness for both planning program improvements and investigating the operational characteristics of family support programs related to participant benefits.
The major goal of PRISE is to provide a structure for systematically identifying a program’s goals and objectives for the purpose of developing an evaluation that includes both promotional process and promotional outcome indicators. The PRISE involves the use of a procedure for facilitating the operationalization of process and outcome indicators. The procedure has program staff first identify the target groups of their program (children, youth, families, parents, communities, etc.) and then facilitates identification of the major promotional outcomes for each group (physical well-being, emotional well-being, parenting competence, etc.). This information, in turn, is used by program staff to develop promotional indicators that are used to conduct a program evaluation.
The major goals of the Quality Enhancement Indicators project are to develop, field-test, and evaluate the utility of two program quality indicators scales in Early Head Start Programs. One scale measures the extent to which programs and organizations meet exacting criteria for being considered family support and resource programs. The other scale measures the extent to which family programs and organizations use promotional approaches to achieve positive outcomes in children, parents, and families. The scales are currently being used with Early Head Start program staff in six states to improve child, parent, and family-level practices. Staff members use participatory self-assessment methods to assess their programs’ practices and to develop procedures for improving practices. The project is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Southeast Regional Hub.
The major goal of the Family Resource Program Evaluation Project is to develop a process and set of procedures that family support programs can use to evaluate different aspects of their work with families. A Center for Practical Evaluation Survey is used by community-based family support programs to gather information to ascertain the extent to which program participants are involved in different program activities and are treated in ways consistent with family support principles. The survey also asks respondents to describe different benefits they and other family members realize from their involvement in the programs. Center for Practical Evaluation staff are available to compile information for the survey and provide feedback to programs about their practices and reported benefits.
The major goal of the Early Intervention Program Evaluation Project is to assist Part C early childhood intervention programs in conducting evaluations of their programs. This is accomplished using a Center for Practical Evaluation Survey that includes measures of different aspects of program practices and participant benefits. The survey provides Part C early intervention programs a means to gather information from parents regarding the (a) frequency, duration, and location of services, (b) extent to which respondents have been treated in a family-centered manner, (c) different aspects of natural learning environment practices, (d) parenting competence and confidence in enhancing their child’s functioning, and (e) child’s functional and behavioral progress. CPE staff members are available to assist programs with data entry, analysis, and report preparation.
