1. Dana Keener, PhD Tina Gaudiano, MA, LPC Carolyn Turner, BA
Serving Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents in a Community-Based Setting: Implications for Evaluation
Dana Keener, PhD
Tina Gaudiano, MA, LPC
Carolyn Turner, BA
2009 Meeting of the American Evaluation Association
November 13, 2009

2. Middle Tyger Community Center
Setting the Context
Middle Tyger Community Center
Lyman, SC

3. About MTCC Est. 1998 in a refurbished abandoned school building
Seed money from the Mary Black Foundation
Private non-profit organization (501c3)
School district is the fiscal agent
Multiple organizations and providers located under one roof

4. MTCC

5. Service to Adolescent Mothers
High quality early childhood education for children of adolescent mothers has been an anchor program since 1998
Learned early that child care is not enough
Added parenting programs
Multiple partners
Service integration and collaboration

6. MTCC Care Program

7. Background Awarded funds in 2006
Just completed 3rd year of five year grant

8. Target Population Pregnant or parenting adolescents
Spartanburg School District Two or Five
Must be less than 19 years of age to enter the program
Must be enrolled in an educational program
Comparison Group

9. Goals of the Program Increase educational attainment
Prevent repeat pregnancy
Increase immunization adherence
Increase developmental assets

10. Service Components Monthly home visits Weekly parenting classes
Monthly case management
Semi-annual family forums
Early childhood education (District 5 only)

11. Evaluation Design Quasi-experimental, longitudinal design
Two treatment groups
One with and one without early childhood education
One treatment-as-usual comparison group
Baseline collected when participants enter the program
Follow-ups collected at annual post-partum intervals

12. Evaluation Opportunities Posed by a Community-Based Setting
The work is at the heart of their mission
Flexibility to go to clients where they are
Culture of service
Holistic approach
No competing bottom-lines
Build partnerships to expand opportunities for recruitment, service delivery, and participation

13. Evaluation Challenges Posed by a Community-Based Setting
Can’t rely on a captive audience
Transportation
Multiple service venues increase time, expense, and safety concerns
Requires flexible staff / working after hours
Maintaining consistency of services

14. Lessons for Evaluating Other Community-Based Programs
Demonstrate your value to the community
Make schools your first string partner (superintendent, principals)
Serve on local advisory boards
Reduce burden on schools/partners

15. Lessons for Evaluating Other Community-Based Programs
Offer multiple opportunities for participation
Commitment to evaluation increases our credibility
Hire staff who are right for the job
Promote an attitude of perseverance
Successful evaluation depends on access to the target audience and successful implementation

16. Contact Information
Dr. Dana Keener ICF Macro, Atlanta, GA (404)