Developing & Evaluating an Outcomes-Focused SPIL PART 1: Goals & Objectives

1. Developing & Evaluating an Outcomes-Focused SPIL PART 1: Goals & Objectives April 21, 2010; 3:00-4:30 PM EST PART 2: Evaluation April 28, 2010; 3:00-4:30 PM EST Presented by: Mike Hendricks, Ph.D. SILC-NET Presents… 1

2. Our 3-Step Approach Step 1: Decide what you want to achieve Mission, goals, objectives, partial logic model Step 2: Turn generalizations into specifics Measurable indicators, geographic scope, target performance level in 2013, timetable for interim progress Step 3: Develop your action strategy to achieve each Objective Activities, lead organization, key partners, resources

3. Step 1: Decide what you want to achieve State your Mission - But whose mission? Your total IL program’s! - “PWDs in our state live independently and participate fully in their community” - Your Mission will be different, but… - Wording is important: Start with your target group Follow with a present-tense verb phrase End however makes sense - But what about a Vision statement? 3

4. B. Develop your Goals - Desired outcomes one level below your Mission - Objectives explain “How will we achieve our Mission?” - What outcomes do you need to achieve first, in order to achieve your Mission? - Outcome “stepping stones” on the way to your Mission - Put each Goal in a box, right below the Mission Step 1, cont’d. 4

5. Partial Logic Model with Goals IF we achieve these three Goals, THEN we can achieve our Mission Your Goals will be different You may not even agree with these Goals Try this format, using the suggested wording 5

6. C. Define your Objectives - Typically can’t achieve Goals in 3 years - Make progress, yes; fully achieve, probably no - Need another level of outcomes below Goals…. Objectives! - “How will we achieve our Goals?” - What outcomes do you need to achieve first, in order to achieve your Goals? Step 1, cont’d. 6 6

7. IF we achieve these four Objectives, THEN we can achieve this Goal Your Objectives will be different – try not to have too many (37 in one SPIL) [Occasionally, may need to include sub-Objectives] Partial Logic Model with Objectives 7

8. Step 2: Turn Generalities into Specifics Objectives are the core, but they’re too general “IL providers are well-trained” – What does this mean – exactly? Use columns 1-5 of our SPIL Planning Table (see next slide) 8 8

9. SPIL Planning Table 9

10. A. Develop measurable indicators for each objective - What exactly should change in 3 years? - How exactly will we know if we’re being successful on this Objective? - How exactly would two parallel universes be different? - “# and % of front-line staff who have an up-to-date Prime Provider certificate” Step 2, cont’d. 10

11. Step 2, cont’d. B.Specify the geographic scope for each Objective • Statewide? Only certain areas? C.Set performance targets for each Objective • What an indicator should “read” at the end of the 3-year SPIL period • Art + science: other States, national standards, expert recommendations, extrapolation of your own performance, etc. 11

12. D. Set timeframes for interim progress Please don’t wait 3 years to see how you’re doing Measure an indicator as often as makes sense (annual, 6 months, 3 months) Shoot for a trend that makes sense (steady, gathers steam, levels off) Step 2, cont’d. 12

13. Step 3: Develop your action strategy to achieve each Objective Now you know exactly what you want to achieve – very specifically But how are you going to achieve each Objective? Use columns 6-10 of our SPIL Planning Table (see next slide) 13

14. Example Full SPIL Planning Table 14

15. A. Determine the Activities you need to conduct in order to achieve each Objective - What you do -- “-ing” words such as training, surveying, disseminating, etc. - One or more activities for each Objective - But this will vary for each Objective - Activities depend almost entirely on the decisions you’ve made in Steps 1 and 2 - Put activities right below Objectives on your logic model (IF-THEN) Step 3, cont’d. 15

16. Partial Logic Model with Activities 16

17. B. Agree on one lead organization for achieving each Objective Important for the buck to stop some ONE place SILC, DSU(s), or CILs might usually be the lead But maybe not always? 17

18. Step 3, cont’d. C. Agree on key partners for each Objective • - Other organizations may need to be involved, too • – Important to plan from the beginning D. Document the resources needed to achieve each Objective – Generally in $$ terms – As closely as possible, but may not be perfect 18

19. Step 3, cont’d. E. Clarify funding sources • – Part B? Part C? Chapter 2 – Older Blind? 19

20. Evaluating Your SPIL Required by RSA SPIL evaluation plans not the strongest Guiding principles: Evaluation is important Focus on improvement, not reporting Evaluations should vary among states Certain aspects are probably essential Evaluation is a collaborative activity 20

21. Use Evaluation to Answer Three Key Questions How well are we achieving our Objectives? - You’ve already done lots of this work - Create a SPIL Evaluation Plan Objectives, measurable indicators, sources, methods, responsible organizations, frequency of gathering outcome information 21

22. Example SPIL Evaluation Plan 22

23. 2. How satisfied are our consumers? RSA specifically requires this question Think of this as one of your Objectives (e.g., “Consumers are satisfied with our services”) Then add to SPIL Evaluation Plan 23

24. 3. How can we improve our State’s total IL program? This is a different kind of question Don’t assume this happens automatically Use the “Three C’s” COMPILE your evaluation information describe what is compare as appropriate interpret the meaning recommend improvements 24

25. CONVENE key stakeholders At least quarterly Include all key stakeholders CONSIDER the implications What findings say is happening? Do we believe it’s true? What should we do about it? Improve things, keep evaluating Evaluating Your SPIL, cont’d. 25

26. Click the link below now to complete an evaluation of today’s program found https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g4408a 26

27. SILC-NET Support for development of this Webinar/teleconference was provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration under grant number H132B070003-09. No official endorsement of the Department of Education should be inferred. Permission is granted for duplication of any portion of this PowerPoint presentation, providing that the following credit is given to the project: Developed as part of the SILC-NET, a program of the IL NET, an ILRU/NCIL/APRIL National Training and Technical Assistance Project. 27