Sharing Innovative Practice: Promoting evidence-informed practice to enhance outcomes for vulnerable children and their families 21 st August 2012

The Centre & the Sharing Innovative Practice program Since 2010, we have been motivating the use of program logic Imbedding an evaluative thinking and capacity into a practice environment It’s an ideal starting point and easy to understand and use Client outcomes driven, the Centre’s focus Protecting Vulnerable Children's Enquiry (2012) highlighted the need systematic and rigorous evaluation.

Spreading the word… Design and disseminate the Innovative Practice Toolkit 2010 Introduction workshops Mentoring the program logic process Author program logic processes NEW Research & Evaluation Support

Outputs so far… Over 200 hard copies and 100 soft copies of the toolkit distributed So far 197 child, youth & family service professionals attended a workshop, training session, symposium or Knowhow session 3 program logics completed on (average programs have been running for 6 years without any previous review process) 3 on-line learning environments have been developed

Program Logic The Pitch

Why Program Logic? It’s easy! Avoid ‘spinning the wheels’ Identifies levels of change in client outcomes Acts like road map

Mentoring Program Logic A case study

Mallee Accommodation Support Program (MASP) Mildura VIC 12 month mentor program to trek Kokoda trail PNG Program Manager, Senior Practitioner & Youth Worker 8 months co-creation Since 2006 no measures established Adventure Therapy advisory CFECFW

Program logic begins by identify the context The ultimate social goal Relationship to the organisation’s goals Establishment of a program goal Bush Adventure Therapy MASP Theoretical Framework Program Logic

Program Outcome Statement …to motivate young participants so that they feel that their individual contribution is an important component towards the development of our society. This motivation is inspired by the recognition of the service men of Australian forces and their commitment on the Kokoda track in World War II. Mentors Young People Community

Identify outcomes – the outcomes hierarchy Emotional and self-development skills Leadership, self-esteem and teamwork Links to education, training and employment Engage educational institutions, businesses and service providers Physical fitness Mentors develop mentoring skills NEW Indicators

Linking activities to recognised outcomes

Underpinning evidence for program assumptions Mentoring relationship between adult and young person has a significant positive impact. (DuBois & Karcher 2005) (Clary & Rhodes 2006) Increased physical activity of young people decreases the likelihood of drug & alcohol use and enhances social and emotional development. (Lyman, Prentince-Dunn & Gabel 1989) (Scott 2009) An adventure orientated program helps to disengaged young people to reconnect with mainstream society. (Deakin 2002) (Lyman, Prentince-Dunn & Gabel 1989) The general community benefit from an increase in young people participating in the local community. (Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership 2005)

Factors that influence the outcomes Within control; Not within control, Support achievement, What could go wrong and; Counteract what could go wrong e.g. Last minute nerves are met with resilience building strategies

Evidence of outcomes For young people … Out of 56 young people (since 2011) only 3 have left town, 4 are doing tertiary studies and 13 are in training/education/employment pathways post the program All young people increased their health and wellbeing over the 12 month mentoring period. Many continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle For mentors … Since 2011, 68 mentors at PNG and 75 mentors have participated in the training Approximately 16 mentor and mentee relationships have continued (as known to the program) For the local community … $15,000 - $18,000 have been raised each year from community fundraising activities The program been featured in local radio, newspaper and local TV 18 times

Helping organisations understand the effectiveness of their work… MASP use of program logic… Stronger communication on the program’s effectiveness Networking tool for sharing and promotion Future evaluation

Thank you Bec Jolly - Policy and Project Leader, Sharing Innovative Practice PH or MB Amanda Stevenson – Manager, Research and Social Policy PH

Program Logic = better position for success Systematise program planning, management, and evaluation functions. Planning and Proposal Management and Monitoring Evaluation and Strategy