Focus Groups A Tool to Enhance CCRs This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-TA-AX-K027 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this conference are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be better able to…. Identify three ways focus groups can enhance local CCRs Discuss the utility of focus groups with local CCR partners Evaluate whether to use focus groups to support the specific work of their own CCRs

Polling Questions How many of you have conducted a focus group in your community (as an organizer or facilitator)? How many of you have participated in a focus group (as an informant)? For those who have conducted a focus group: What were you trying to accomplish? How did it go? What did you learn? What would you do differently? For those who have participated as an informant: How was your experience? Anything you wished had happened – or preferred hadn’t happened?

Focus Groups “Focus Groups” Our Focus Today There are focus groups and there are “focus groups.” Want to be clear about what we’re talking about today.

Important Distinctions Focus Groups “Focus Groups” Topical community conversations Facilitated by a community member or team A way to get insight into people’s perceptions, views, and experiences Research on human subjects Facilitated by a researcher or team of researchers Subject to IRB approval Often a precursor to more experimental research We’re looking at focus groups in the more traditional, less research-y sense – which is not to demean them in any way – but just to differentiate them from research on human subjects which, in some cases, requires formal institutional review board approval.

Focus Groups Planned & organized Facilitated Interactive Elements: Planned & organized Facilitated Interactive Focused, but open-ended Rooted in people’s experience

You Can Use Focus Groups to…. Gain an understanding of perceptions, views, and experiences (OH) Identify themes, gaps, and challenges across community sectors (DE) Hear from those who may not be represented in official statistics or reports, especially marginalized or under-served communities (MN) OH: Henry County family court system DE: FCEP “affinity group meetings” MN: Underutilization of OFPs by Native American women

You Can Use Focus Groups to…. Learn what experts have to say about a complex or controversial issue, topic, or initiative (risk) Gather input and advice on the development of proposed policies, procedures, tools, or forms (IL) Solicit feedback on draft policies, procedures, tools, or forms (OH, judicial guides) IL: Child-related relief in no contact orders OH: Practice guides

Other Uses…. Have you used (or thought about using) focus groups for other purposes? Large group exercise: Get a sense of how others have used focused groups for purposes not mentioned earlier.

Planning Be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish Select participants carefully Train community members to facilitate whenever possible Prepare questions in advance, with input from those who know the community and the issues Choose an appropriate setting Obtain informed consent

Limitations The depth and accuracy of the information you get depends upon who’s in the room Small groups work best – so you may have to conduct multiple sessions Recruitment can be challenging – you may need to offer incentives Good facilitation and note-taking are key

Applications Back Home How can focus groups enhance the work of your own CCRs? Large group brainstorm…For each answer, think through: What would you hope to accomplish? Who would put it together? Who would you ask to participate as informants? How would informants be recruited? Who would facilitate it? Where would it be held? Would there be any expenses? If nobody responds, ask follow up questions: What are the big issues facing your CCR right now? Where do you find the greatest misunderstandings among CCR partners? What have you done in the past to assess the effectiveness of your CCR?

Resources Jane Sadusky and Jennifer Obinna, 2002, Violence Against Women: Focus Groups with Culturally Distinct and Underserved Communities, Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Focus Groups: Not Your Average Market Research Strategy, June 2017; http://www.viddler.com/v/712b8c43 Learning from Survivors: Focus Groups and Other Tools, June 2014; http://www.viddler.com/v/762b1791

Questions and Comments Gabrielle Davis gdavis@bwjp.org www.bwjp.org