the new outcomes system stage i: adopting the youth outcomes survey aim agencies june 2009
TRANSCRIPT
The New Outcomes System
Stage I: Adopting the Youth Outcomes Survey
AIM AgenciesJune 2009
Today’s workshop focus:
• Vision, goals, and components of BBBSA’s Outcomes System
• Development of the Youth Outcome Survey (YOS)
• Guidelines and tips to effectively implement the YOS
The vision…We stand for quality.
We will track the length, strength and outcomes of each Little in a consistent and accurate way so we may know how many successful matches we have in an agency and nationwide.
Our outcomes are central to our case for support.
We seek to communicate our results in effective and powerful terms.
The goals:
• To track current outcomes for each Little, each agency, and nationally.
• To use methodologies that are compelling to supporters, funders and researchers.
• To improve agency program performance and build our case for community support using outcomes.
The components:
Length • 6 and 12 month RR• average match length (AML)
Strength • Strength of Relationship (SoR)
Outcomes • Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS)• School records (future)
other quality processes?
• quality assurance ratings• match support compliance %
BBBSA’s Outcome System
What is the Youth Outcomes Survey?
• Built on the findings of our past P/PV studies that indicate specific areas where our work yields impact
• Designed by BBBSA in consultation with Rhodes, Grossman, and Herrera
• “Stronger” than POE
Why “stronger?”
• Pre/post and age cohort comparisons tell us more
• Different levels of impacts at different lengths?
• What makes some matches more successful than others?
• Continues to validate the methodologically sound and rigorous results from the P/PV studies
And the pilot results?
• Sound scales• Changed some questions• Results showed statistical significance
in key outcome areas• Positive feedback from all levels of
staff about feasibility of network-wide roll out
• Great recommendations for large-scale implementation
Summary of theYouth Outcomes Survey
• Academics– Scholastic Competence– Educational Expectations– Self-Assessment of Academic
Performance
• Relationships– Social Acceptance– Parental Trust
• Risky Behaviors– Attitudes Towards Risk
More about the YOS
• Pre-test (baseline surveys) and post-test (follow-up surveys)
• For youth ages 9 and up
• 32 question survey
• For both CB and SB matches
Measure Related Long-Term Outcomes
Rationale
Scholastic Competence
Academic achievement Increases in this scale often precede performance improvement. Higler levels of scholastic competence are associated with better mental health and high grades.
Educational Expectations
Academic achievement Youth’s academic expectations and plans have shown longitudinal associations with school performance and standardized test scores.
Self-Assessment of
Academic Performance
Academic Achievement Correlation with actual academic performance.
Social Acceptance
Academic achievement and delinquency avoidance
Improvements in peer relations have been linked to school achievement, improved conduct, and lower likelihood of dropping out.
Parental Trust Academic achievement and delinquency avoidance
Improved parental relationships are associated with improved grades and attendance and reduced substance abuse.
Attitudes Towards Risk
Delinquency avoidance Correlation with actual risk behaviors.
Scholastic Competence
I have trouble figuring out the answers in school.
I feel that I am just as smart as other kids.
I am very good at my schoolwork.
I’m pretty slow in finishing my school work.
I often forget what I learn.
I do very well at my class work.
Educational Expectations
How sure are you that you will finish high school?
How sure are you that you will go to college?
How sure are you that you will finish college?
Self-Assessment of Academic Performance
Mathematics
Reading or language arts
Social studies
Science
Social Acceptance
I am always doing things with a lot of kids.
I wish that more people my age liked me.
I find it hard to make friends
I would like to have a lot more friends.
I am popular with others my age.
I have a lot of friends.
Parental Trust
How often do I feel that my parents respect my feelings.
How often do I feel that my parents accept me as I am.
How often do I feel that when I’m angry about something, my parents try to be understanding.
Attitudes Towards Risk Using tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless or chewing tobacco)?
Taking drugs that aren’t given to them by a doctor or parent?
Drinking alcohol without their parents knowing?
Skipping school without permission?
Hitting someone because they didn’t like something they said or did?
Breaking rules in school?
Being late for school?
Plus…
• 2 truancy questions– In the past 30 days, have you been
absent from school?– In the past 30 days, have you been
late for school?
• 1 “special adult” question
But should we rely on youth responses??
• Widely accepted in research community
• Unique position of youth as most accurate source of data
• Potential for high response rates• Valuable and essential complement to
hard data• Positive indicators of accuracy
Administration Guidelines for Youth Outcomes Survey
• Who gets it?– All Littles ages 9 and over– Both CB and SB programs
• What about younger Littles?– Can use youth POE if needed
Administration Guidelines for Youth Outcomes Survey
• When do they get it?– Baseline Surveys: before match is
made (up to 30 days prior)– Follow-up Surveys:
• CB: at 12 month match anniversaries• SB: at end of school year
Administration Guidelines for Youth Outcomes Survey
• Who gives it?– BBBS staff – Never our Bigs!
• How should it be completed?– Preferably in person – then by phone– No e-Form functionality– Staff should read survey to Littles, even if
they know how to read!• Where does it go?
– In AIM
Consents
• Update your child application
• Passive consent form for all children/parents in current processing
What about the data?
• 2 methodologies:– Pre/post comparison– Age cohort comparison
• Value of “statistically significant” differences
Outcomes Scorecard
• Template provided
• AIM will help with data gathering
• Share/discuss with fund development team
Possible / Expected Program Implications?
• Survey fatigue? • Time needed to complete
baseline and follow up surveys• Need to train staff• How to expect higher response
rates?• Implications if results, at first,
aren’t as positive as POE?
Suggested Implementation
• Inform “up” about evolving outcome evaluation system
• Train staff • Update program manual to reflect use
of new forms and new procedures• Look out for continued webinars and
check out resources on Agency Connection