A Program Evaluation Strategy

	The Causal Pathway

Evaluation Strategy

	Our Evaluation Model starts in the initation phase of a program, not upon its conclusion.
	We start by developing a “Causal Pathway” or roadmap, which identifies the steps necessary to achieve the desired goal.

Causal Pathway Framework

Causal Pathway Framework

Causal Pathway Framework

Causal Pathway Framework

Causal Pathway Framework

Causal Pathway Framework

Evaluation Strategy

	This Evaluation model starts by helping to design a program which has the highest probability of achieving success
	We use this model to plan the program starting with the desired Goal or Impact, and planning all intermediate steps.

Causal Pathway Framework

Evaluation Strategy

	Given that we now have a program with built-in logical steps toward success, we can then use this Causal Pathway tool to evaluate the progress and success of the program.

Evaluation Strategy

	Whereas in the planning phase, we worked from the desired Impact back to necessary Inputs, in the Evaluation Phase we monitor the completion of each step from Inputs to Activities to Outputs to Effects to Impact.

Causal Pathway Framework

Evaluation Strategy

	One of the benefits of using this same tool in Evaluation is that even if there has not been enough time to realize a change in Impact, we can still determine how far along the logical pathway our program has advanced.

Causal Pathway Framework
Say for instance that we observe no change in Impact:

Evaluation Strategy

	We can still determine how far along the logical pathway our program has advanced as an indication of success.
	We can also use this process to Diagnose where things are not working

Causal Pathway Framework

BDI LOGIC MODEL

Slide 19

BDI Logic Model

What is resiliency?

Risk & Protective Factors

Risk Factors: conditions that increase the likelihood of outcomes that comprise health, quality of life, or life itself

Risk Factors Occur in 5 major life domains:

The more risk factors, the greater the risk

Common risk factors predict diverse behavioral problems:

	substance abuse
	delinquency
	violent behavior
	risky sex                         teen pregnancy
	school behavior problems        dropping out

If the impact of any given risk factor can be reduced, it is likely to reduce several risk behaviors

Risk Behavior: behavior that can compromise adolescent psychosocial development
Examples?

Risk Taking Behavior: behaviors that entail a conscious awareness of the risk/danger in a deliberate thrill-seeking attempt
Examples?

Protective Factors:
factors that buffer youth against the adverse effects of risk factors to which they are exposed
and diminish the likelihood of negative health and social outcomes

Protective Factors occur in many domains:

	individual (e.g. resilient temperament, social & cognitive skills)
	connections to family, friends, school, other adults
	opportunities for involvement (e.g. church, youth clubs in communities)

Many adolescent risk behaviors serve a purpose and are goal-directed

Drinking, smoking grass, smoking cigarettes

	feel relaxed
	feel socially accepted
	feel independent
	feel grown up
	feel excitement bucking the system

Magnitude of Risk?

	intensity of involvement
	# of risk behaviors
	age of onset
	presence of protective factors

Implications for Prevention

	comprehensive, multiple domains & multiple behaviors
	target risk and protective factors
	address larger social context in which behavior embedded