The 22nd Annual Research Conference

Intensive Workshops on Methodology

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Getting to Outcomes in Systems of Care

Intensive Workshop 1

Abraham Wandersman, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Jennifer Dewey, Macro International, Jody Levison-Johnson, Monroe County ACCESS and Coordinated Care Services,Inc.

How can we increase the probability of being successful in systems of care?

This session will explore how the Getting To Outcomes™ (GTO) system can be applied to planning, implementing and evaluating systems of care with particular emphasis on performance measurement and quality improvement. Getting to Outcomes provides an empowerment evaluation system that has showed promise for addressing complex social issues such as teen pregnancy, child maltreatment, youth violence and substance abuse. The GTO system uses 10 accountability questions; addressing the 10 questions involves a comprehensive approach to results-based accountability that includes evaluation and much more. It includes: needs and resource assessment, identifying goals, population of focus, desired outcomes (objectives), science and best practices, logic models, fit with existing programs and initiatives, planning, implementation with fidelity, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and sustainability.

Partners from the national evaluation team and a local system of care community will share experiences and highlight the applicability and benefits of the GTO framework for system of care communities.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Concept Mapping as a Next Generation, Multi-Use Strategy

Intensive Workshop 2

Lenore Behar, Director, Child & Family Program Strategies, Durham, NC; Marty Hydaker, Hydaker Community Counseling, Cullowhee, NC; and Robert Paulson, Professor, Dept. of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida

This session provides detailed information about Concept Mapping, including 1) the mechanics of the process, both Internet-based and face-to-face and 2) methods of data analysis. Participants will learn about Concept Mapping’s use in program evaluation and evaluation of specific practices such as Wraparound, and how this method can be used at the community level to determine essential characteristics, such as readiness for implementing systems of care. Presenters will demonstrate how Concept Mapping is used for community engagement, planning, and as the basis for logic models. Participants will gain understanding of the usefulness of these approaches in their communities to support development of effective systems of care.

Building the Research Base: Grant Funding Opportunities at the Institute of Education Sciences (a.k.a. “Show Me the Money”)

Intensive Workshop 3

Jackie Buckley, Program Officer, National Center for Special Education Research

This workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about available funding opportunities through the National Center for Special Education Research and National Center for Education Research within the Institute of Education Sciences. The Centers seek research applications designed to examine ways to improve student outcomes through identifying, developing, and validating effective education programs, practices, policies, and approaches as well as understanding the factors that influence variation in their effectiveness such as implementation. The intent of this workshop is to provide potential applicants with an overview of the current research grant opportunities available through the research Centers. After providing an overview of the programs, Dr. Buckley will discuss in detail the components of successful grant applications, and will provide opportunities for potential applicants to ask questions about the grant application process.

Rapid Ethnography as Community-Based Participatory Research: Real Research for Real World Settings

Intensive Workshop 4 - Cancelled

Sharon Hodges; Kathleen Ferreira, Dept. of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida; Myra Alfreds, Director, Children’s Mental Health Services, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health; Knute Rotto, CEO, Choices, Inc.

NOTE: This workshop has been reformatted to a Topical Discussion, Tuesday, March 3rd, 1:30 – 2:30 PM, Meeting Rooms 8-9-10: Rapid Ethnography as Community-Based Participatory Research: Real Research for Real World Settings Presented by Sharon Hodges, Kathleen Ferreira, Myra Alfreds and Knute Rotto.