The Focus Group: A Strategic Tool for Guiding Service Delivery and Enhancing Partnerships

1. 2012 AHEAD Conference The Focus Group: A Strategic Tool for Guiding Service Delivery and Enhancing Partnerships Disability Services

2. Disability Services 2012 AHEAD Conference The Focus Group: A Strategic Tool for Guiding Service Delivery and Enhancing Partnerships Susan A. Aase, J.D., M.S.Ed. Barbara Blacklock, M.A., L.I.S.W. July 12, 2012

3. Learner Outcomes Participants will learn about how to prepare and conduct focus groups. Participants will learn how to use and evaluate the information obtained from the focus group process to guide effective service delivery and partnerships. Participants will be better able to identify the benefits and challenges of using focus groups.

4. Focus Groups Provide: • Feedback and comment • Means to evaluate and test ideas

5. Focus Group Uses: • Planning • Marketing • Evaluation

6. Your Experience with Focus Groups

7. U of MN Experience with Focus Groups • Needs Assessment Project • Marcus Foundation Faculty Education Grant

8. Focus Group Process Action Steps Action Steps

9. Planning and Preparation • Purpose – Objectives – Timeline • Participants • Script/Questions/Agenda • Facilitators • Additional Considerations

10. Conducting and Facilitating • Welcoming and confidential environment • Pace and timing • Participation • Materials

11. Evaluating and Reporting • Debriefing • Session Summary • Analysis • Written Report

12. Action Steps • Identify • Prioritize • Disseminate

13. Benefits of Using Focus Groups • Direct • Indirect

14. www.mentalhealth.umn.edu

15. Evaluation Thank you for your participation! Please complete the evaluation.

16. Thank You! Susan A. Aase, J.D., M.S.Ed. Associate to the Director and Outreach Coordinator University of Minnesota Disability Services E-mail:  aase0020@umn.edu Web:  http://ds.umn.edu Barbara Blacklock, M.A., LISW Program Coordinator
University of Minnesota
Disability Services
E-mail: black005@umn.edu Web:  http://ds.umn.edu