Workshop Session #2: Measuring Diaper Need & Program Impact. National Diaper Bank Network 2015 Annual Conference Kelley E. C. Massengale, MPH The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Diaper Bank of NC; Durham, NC

Interview Community Partners who distribute diaper bank diapers Phase One  Analyze interviews  Develop two surveys Phase Two ↙ ↘ Survey Community Partners who did not do an interview Survey Diaper Recipients   Analyze interviews Analyze surveys  Develop interview guide Phase Three  Interview Diaper Recipients  Analyze interviews

Benefits to CBOs of Distributing Diapers Positive financial impact Increased communication Increased program retention Increased critical thinking skills for clients Increased connections to other resources -(Massengale, Erausquin, & Old, 2015)

As a result of not having enough diapers… Children Wore diapers longer than usual Experienced more diaper rashes Were less happy than usual Could not attend childcare Parents Could not attend work or school Asked others for diapers or money to buy them

How Diapers Helped Children Felt happier Were healthier Could attend childcare Parents Felt happier Could spend money on other needs Could pay a medical or non-medical bill Could attend work or school

Families Want More Information Cloth diapers Appropriate diaper sizes Toilet training How to volunteer at the Diaper Bank

Research Project Timeline 2014 March – Applied for research grant June – Notice of grant award July – IRB approval August – Begin Phase One October – Begin Phase Two 2015 January – Begin Phase Three May – Data analysis & Report writing June – Share data with Board of Directors August – Use data for grant applications September – Share data with community partner; Submit paper to scientific journal November – Present data at public health conference

Why Document Outcomes & Impacts? Support grant applications Assess and improve current practices Documentation for: – Current / future donors – Press releases – Supporters – Policy makers – Community leaders – Future collaborators

Partnerships with Academic Researchers Credibility of trained researchers – Data collection & analysis skills Confidentiality of researcher who is not diaper bank staff Access to analytical software & peer-reviewed literature Experience with publication and grant writing

Finding Academic Partners College / University Departments of: – Public Health, Social Work, Human Development & Family Studies, Nursing, Medicine, Health Psychology, Community Psychology, Public Administration Look for experience in: – Evaluation – Community-based Research, – Community-based Participatory Research [CBPR]

Thank you! Kelley E. C. Massengale, MPH PhD Candidate in Community Health Education Department of Public Health Education University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Data to Collection How will you use the data you collected? – Process improvement – Long-term planning – Support grant applications What types of data to collect? – Recipient demographics – Individual-level outcomes – Community-level outcomes Who to collect data from? – People involved in diaper distribution – Diaper recipient families Challenges of data collection (realistic expectations)

Why Research? Anecdotal Evidence Informally collected data or stories from diaper recipients, community partners, diaper bank staff and volunteers. Research Data Data collected and analyzed in a systematic manner by trained researchers. Study undergoes ethical review before it starts. Options for publication and presentation to scientific community.

Research on Diaper Banks Raver, C., Letourneau, N., Scott, J., & D’Agostino, H. (2010). Huggies® every little bottom study: Diaper need in the U.S. and Canada. (Report commissioned by Huggies.) Smith, M. V., Kruse, A., Weir, A., & Goldblum, J. (2013). Diaper need and its impact on child health. Pediatrics, 132(2), Porter, S., & Steefel, L. (2015). Diaper need: A change for better health. Pediatric Nursing, 41(3),