1. The Focus Group: A Strategic Tool for Guiding Service Delivery and Enhancing Partnerships Disability Services 2012 AHEAD Conference

2. Disability Services 2012 AHEAD Conference The Focus Group: A Strategic Tool for Guiding Service Delivery and Enhancing Partnerships Susan A. Aase, J.D., M.S.Ed. Barbara Blacklock, M.A., L.I.S.W. July 12, 2012

3. Learner Outcomes  Participants will learn about how to prepare and conduct focus groups.  Participants will learn how to use and evaluate the information obtained from the focus group process to guide effective service delivery and partnerships.  Participants will be better able to identify the benefits and challenges of using focus groups.

4. Focus Groups Provide: Feedback and comment Means to evaluate and test ideas

5. Focus Group Uses: Planning Marketing Evaluation

6. Your Experience with Focus Groups

7. U of MN Experience with Focus Groups Needs Assessment Project Marcus Foundation Faculty Education Grant

8. Focus Group Process Action Steps Planning and Preparation Conducting and Facilitating Evaluating and Reporting Action Steps

9. Planning and Preparation Purpose – Objectives – Timeline Participants Script/Questions/Agenda Facilitators Additional Considerations

10. Conducting and Facilitating Welcoming and confidential environment Pace and timing Participation Materials

11. Evaluating and Reporting Debriefing Session Summary Analysis Written Report

12. Action Steps Identify Prioritize Disseminate

13. Benefits of Using Focus Groups Direct Indirect

14. www.mentalhealth.umn.edu

15. Evaluation Thank you for your participation! Please complete the evaluation.

16. Thank You! Susan A. Aase, J.D., M.S.Ed. Associate to the Director and Outreach Coordinator University of Minnesota Disability Services E-mail: aase0020@umn.eduaase0020@umn.edu Web: http://ds.umn.eduhttp://ds.umn.edu Barbara Blacklock, M.A., LISW Program Coordinator University of Minnesota Disability Services E-mail: black005@umn.edu black005@umn.edu Web: http://ds.umn.eduhttp://ds.umn.edu