Outcomes Measurement in Service Enriched Housing: What it is, Why it Matters, & How to do it Joelle K. Greene, Ph.D. Director of Community Assessment & Program Evaluation National Community Renaissance
Background Primary functions for social services are: Community needs assessments Best practices research Evaluation Separation of evaluation function and service delivery Report to the VP of Operations, under the CAO
What is Outcomes Measurement? Evaluating the effects of an intervention or program on the stakeholders it was intended to effect
Outputs versus Outcomes Outputs: Units of service Number of contacts Number of contact hours Number of participants Number of programs offered Number of referrals Outcomes: Effects of service Increase in graduation rates Decreased evictions Increased wages Move-out to home ownership Reduced feelings of loneliness
Data can be used to: Demonstrate the impact a program has on a valued outcome or progress toward a benchmark Increase in student grades after participation in an after school program Make decisions about the way a program is implemented Is an 8:1 staff ratio as effective as a 5:1 ratio? Document implementation of program elements How many times a month were financial literacy classes offered?
Why it matters… Quality assurance Demonstrate program effectiveness Secure sustainable funding Increasingly mandated by funders
Our model We have or will develop evaluation systems for three core initiatives Child Development Youth Development Senior Health & Wellness Programs under each initiative are formulated based on best practices Programs formally articulate their theory of change (logic model)
What about collaborations? We require collaborative partners to participate in our evaluation systems
Are we crazy? We provide technical assistance Build their organizational capacity Creates new opportunities to pursue joint funding Share the data What motivates our partners to participate?
When choosing an affordable housing partner ask: Do they evaluate the impact of their social programs on residents? On what basis are social programs selected to be offered? Do the social programs offered align with a formal theory of change?
When choosing an affordable housing partner ask: Does the organization track outputs and outcomes? Are the tools used to measure outcomes scientifically reliable and valid? What percent of program budget is dedicated to evaluation?
DIY Evaluation Partnership with local university Hire an evaluation firm Bring capacity in-house
Thank you! Joelle Greene, Director Community Assessment & Program Evaluation National CORE 9065 Haven Avenue, Suite 100 Rancho Cucamonga, CA