Evidence-Based Programs The benefits, uses, and applicability of data driven programming and community collaboration.

Presentation Objectives  Define / Compare evidence-based and research-based programs  Examine the process of selecting programs using applicable data  Discuss benefits of using evidence-based and research-based programs  Discuss community collaboratives and benefits of membership / participation  Provision of information in participants’ communities  Cost / Benefit Analysis Information  A brief look at some evidence-based programs in Pennsylvania

Focus on Prevention  Why focus on prevention of antisocial behaviors like drug use, violence, parenting practices- “You cannot teach a hurting child”  Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs- we must meet the environmental needs of children before we can speak to their higher levels of thought  If we can reach families and communities we can provide a setting of support for our scholastic goals and endeavors

What is the difference between Evidence-Based and Research-Based? "Evidence-based" programs are prevention methodologies that have been developed and evaluated using scientific processes. Expert's use commonly agreed upon criteria for rating interventions, reaching a consensus that evaluation research findings are credible and sustainable. Evidence-based is also referred to as science-based and research-based models, (Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources, 2009).

Research-Based Research Based means that the program is founded in research (appropriate to subject matter) and meets criteria as a research-based program.  Term used with highest credibility prior to the term “Evidence-Based”  Term is still used in RFP’s from many government and private agencies  Sometimes used interchangeably with Evidence-Based, but is not really the same

Why the shift?  As funding decreases and the emphasis on the reliability and credibility of programs funded increases (for example the regulation of programs under No Child Left Behind), it is necessary to prove to funders that programs really work

How to Select Programs You may have noticed that there are several evidence-based programs to choose from. The best method for selecting programs is to look at your problem, gather data, and seek programming which is proven to work with your audience and given problem

How do I know what my problems are or which is most important?  Look at available data: do you have a CTC or other community collaborative  Look at crime reports and media coverage  Talk to your community  What problems do you see on a daily basis?

Problem: How do I prove that “XYZ” is my problem?  DATA! Problem: Bullying PAYS Data (Pennsylvania Youth Survey Data) # of youth suspended for violent acts or Bullying Crime Statistics for Locale indicating Community laws and Norms favorable Towards violence

How do I know which programs address my problem?  Look at evidence-based programs sites  SAMHSA-  Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency-  Department of Education-  Communities That Care- (through PCCD or SAMHSA)  Blue Prints Model and Promising Programs- html  Penn State EpisCenter-

How do I know which programs address my problem?  Community Collaborative / CTC assistance- find out what is working in your community or consult your CTC mobilizer  Look at outcomes studies for evidence based programs in scholarly journals (prevention science or education journals)

Community Collaboratives  Benefits of being a member of a community collaborative include:  A chance to give your agency / school a voice in the types of programs being used in your community  Resources of agencies within that collaborative which promote cost-sharing  Information and expertise on processes and programs that could work in your setting  Shared grant writing responsibilities or funding drives

Pennsylvania Collaboratives: community level groups  Handouts: Communities That Care collaboratives and prevention boards  -look at other collaboratives through ICSP, Multiple school associations, former FSSR boards, MHMR groups and providers, AGENCIES funded by the government are often required to have boards which include school and community individuals  Start your own collaborative if you do not have one in your community (this may even help in obtaining funding later)

Cost Benefit Analysis Information  Review Cost/Benefit analysis information for your programs to present to funders, especially in law enforcement and probation. This information can be found through Penn State University as directly linked to your programs.  Provide information to your community foundations / local government / juvenile probation for some support of your endeavors

Evidence Based Program Examples  Life-Skills Training: Very cost-effective, Blue Prints model program, technical support available through LST and Penn State EpisCenter as well as through some Single County Authorities for Drug and Alcohol Programs  Positive Action: Recently an evidence-based program, was on many research-based lists for years  The Incredible Years- includes parenting and early childhood components, evidence-based, blueprints model program  Project Northland, Olweus Anti-Bullying, Mulitsystemic Therapy, etc.

Examples from the field  PAYS data and discussion with collaborative / CTC board; partner programs; social development  Review of model programs at SAMHSA and University of Colorado sites  Call to program distributor for sample curriculum  Assessment of staff time needed, funding needed, possible costs, outcome measurements, possible locations for program facilitation  Purchase or written for in a grant and then purchased

In Groups  Locate or name community collaboratives or CTC’s you could work with  DATA- who has data in your community which you could use for grant writing and program selection  Programming Awareness- list who in your communities is doing research-based or evidence-based programs and what those programs are  List possible funding sources for programs in your communities or at the state / federal level

A word about fidelity  Fidelity is the level to which a program is facilitated under the guidelines originally intended and supported by research. If a program is not done with fidelity, in all honesty we cannot consider this good practice of research or evidence-based programs.  We must think about what is really possible for a program before we buy it, implement, or facilitate it in order to comply with fidelity  Communicate with program developers to assist in questions you may have regarding fidelity and normative samples indicated in research

Questions?  Collaboratives / coalitions  Research vs. Evidence-based  Data collection  Fidelity  Funding  Programs  Any additional Information

Thank You