Communicating Impact Communicating Impact

Elizabeth Coke HallerSchool Health Team Leader

Program Development and Services BranchDivision of Adolescent and School Health

Documenting Impact of DASH Documenting Impact of DASH Funded ProjectsFunded Projects

Outputs Short-Term Effects/Outcomes

Intermediate Effects/Outcomes

Funded Partner Activities

Effective policies and practices implemented

Reduced risk behaviors, increased protective

behaviors

Process Evaluation (Indicators for School

Health Programs)

School-Level Impact Measures

(School Health Profiles)

Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Communicating Impact (Success Stories)

Communicating the ImpactCommunicating the Impact

• Concisely and effectively describe successes in Outputs, Short-Term Effects/Outcomes, or Intermediate Effects/Outcomes

• Generate critical support for DASH-Funded programs that improve the health of young people

Communicating Impact (Success Stories)

Activity 1 - Communicating SuccessActivity 1 - Communicating Success

In your State Team:

• Select a REPORTER and RECORDER• Discuss the following questions at your table

– How have you communicated with decision makers?

– What strategies have been the most effective for you in reaching this audience?

– What are the lessons you would share with someone about communicating successes with a decision maker?

• Be prepared to share your answers with the large group

Fish Is FishFish Is FishA StoryA Story

(Lionni, 1970)

Insert Fish BirdsInsert Fish Birds

• Insert Fish Cows

• Insert Fish People

Fish Is FishFish Is Fish

• What made this story meaningful?

• What do you believe was our intent in telling you this story?

• How do you think this story relates to communicating impact?

What is a Success Story?What is a Success Story?

• A detailed and objective account about action and behavior relating exactly how something was used, what results were achieved, and what specific factors enabled or interfered with success.

• The Success Case Method, Robert O. Brinkerhoff

Communicating ImpactCommunicating Impact

The Participants will:

• Articulate the purpose and uses of Success Stories in their state and nationally.

• Critique key criteria for a Success Story and how they link to Indicators and SLIMs.

• Explore next steps to be taken in developing effective Success Stories.

Purpose of Communicating ImpactPurpose of Communicating Impact

• Share program impact in a clear and compelling manner

• Show how DASH funding has made a difference for agencies, schools and individuals

• Provide a tool for agencies and schools to use when advocating for their program

Activity 2 –Activity 2 –Uses of Communicating ImpactUses of Communicating Impact

In your State Team:

• Select a REPORTER and RECORDER

• Discuss at your table:

– What are some ways to Communicate Impact?

– What are some ways you can use Success Stories to help Communicate Impact?

• Be prepared to share examples with the full group

Uses of Success Stories to Uses of Success Stories to Communicate ImpactCommunicate Impact

• Provides a context and meaning

• Accountability

• Advocacy tool

• Responds to legislative inquires

• Teaching tool

Communicating ImpactCommunicating Impact

The Participants will:

• Articulate the purpose and uses of Success Stories in their state and nationally.

• Critique key criteria for a Success Story and how they link to Indicators and SLIMs.

• Explore next steps to be taken in developing effective Success Stories.

Group Activity 3 -Group Activity 3 -Critique Key Criteria for a Critique Key Criteria for a

Success StorySuccess Story

Move to Your Fish GroupMove to Your Fish Group

Criteria Contributing to anCriteria Contributing to anEffective Success StoryEffective Success Story

• Linked to DASH Funding

• Linked to compelling data – draws local link between changes and benefits for young people

• Uses lay language

• Does not overstate the facts

Activity 3 — Critique Key CriteriaActivity 3 — Critique Key Criteria

In your Fish Group:

Select a REPORTER and RECORDER

• Using the key criteria, critique the three stories. Record which criteria, if any, are missing

• Discuss the following 5 questions and record your answers

• Agree on key learnings – be prepared to share

Activity 3 – Critique Key CriteriaActivity 3 – Critique Key Criteria

• In addition to the key criteria provided,

– What would make these stories compelling, strong and effective?

– What is missing?

– How would you fill the gaps in the stories?

– What are the challenges of creating success stories?

– Other than key criteria, what would strengthen these stories to have an impact on decision makers?

Activity 3 – Processing Key CriteriaActivity 3 – Processing Key Criteria

What were your key learnings?

Take A Take A Breather!Breather!

Return to Your State Team Table

Activity 4 -Activity 4 -Where Do Stories Come From?Where Do Stories Come From?

In your State Team:

• Select a REPORTER and RECORDER

• Think about the following at your table, record your answers

– How might your team use Indicators to identify stories?

– How might your team use SLIMs to identify stories?

– Where else can stories come from?

– How can you tap into district/school level contacts to identify stories?

Communicating ImpactCommunicating Impact

The Participants will:

• Articulate the purpose and uses of Success Stories in their state and nationally.

• Critique key criteria for a Success Story and how they link to Indicators and SLIMs.

• Explore next steps to be taken in developing effective Success Stories.

Here Is Our Plan!Here Is Our Plan!Success Story Next StepsSuccess Story Next Steps

CDC will:

• Identify volunteers for external workgroup during the next funding cycle

• Host sessions at Funded Partners meeting

• Finalize criteria based on feedback received here and at Funded Partners

• Develop tools to facilitate identification and further development of stories

• Explore potential of an online collection system

Here Is Our Plan!Here Is Our Plan!This Is How You Can HelpThis Is How You Can Help

• Experiment and tinker with story writing

• Share story writing efforts

• Communicate openly with us

• Share ideas, new concepts, etc. the process is still under development

• Remember - the more you do it, the easier it gets!

Questions & CommentsQuestions & Comments