For the past eleven years, Youth Villages has measured the long-term impact of its programs with children and families by tracking the outcomes for children up to two years after they discharge from our services.  This on-going outcome evaluation process has yielded important information that has translated into real program improvements and improved outcomes for the children we serve.

Through a generous grant from the Hyde Family Foundations, Youth Villages now has the opportunity to update and further develop this research process.  Dr. Richard Barth from the Jordan Institute for Families at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill has been engaged to conduct an extensive review of the process and to recommend improvements in the system.  The Evaluation Redesign Project will accomplish three tasks:

• Review data collection process, including instruments, timing, and sampling strategy.  Recommendations will bring the outcome evaluation process to the cutting edge in terms of efficient and effective data collection techniques
• Using sophisticated statistical techniques employ all available client information (both data collected during program enrollment and follow-up data) for purposes of performance improvement.  A 'predictive algorithm' is envisioned that will enable Youth Villages to better focus treatment plans and target the most effective services to individual children.
• Share the new model of data collection and analysis with other providers in the field in order to advance the national agenda of improving mental health services to children.

Dr. Barth's proposal, chosen from more than 20 submitted by researchers and evaluators from across the country, is a bold plan that combines critical assessment of the existing outcome evaluation process with recently-developed statistical techniques to create the most effective use of high-quality client-level data to improve Youth Villages' programs. Concerning this project, Dr. Barth stated, "My UNC colleagues and I look forward to this joint effort. I hope that this first stage will demonstrate that we can add substantial value to the information that you have so long and so tirelessly gathered at Youth Villages. We will make every effort to assist you in your efforts toward continued improvement of your evaluation processes and services."

"We appreciate the opportunity provided by the Hyde Family Foundations to make dramatic improvements in our outcome evaluation process.  We are truly fortunate to have the expertise and experience of Dr. Barth on this project, as he is a leading researcher in the field of children's mental health and a respected authority on child welfare.  The potential of this project to yield substantial program improvements, not only for Youth Villages, but for providers across the country makes this an exciting time for the Research Department", says Sarah Hurley, Director of Research at Youth Villages.