Evaluation Plan for Youthworks ML2

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 1 of 7

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Outline

Program Background The Harrisville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) is a government

organization located in Harrisville, South Carolina. Its mission is to provide quality affordable housing for families and individuals. HRHA was awarded a capacity building grant from the South Carolina Housing Development Authority (SCHDA) which includes the creation of a separate nonprofit organization YOUTHWORKS, to support the development of additional resources for resident services.

All young people should have access to high-quality, affordable after school programs.

When youth have a safe place to be creative during non-school hours, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to develop in to the great people they were born to be. According to the national Afterschool Alliance1, the following details provide clear justification for high-quality after school programs:

o On school days, the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for

juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex; o Teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more

likely to skip classes, use marijuana or other drugs, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity, compared to teens who do participate;

o A report on 21st Century Community Learning Centers showed that 45 percent of all participants improved their reading grades, and 41 percent improved their math grades; and,

o Parents with children in afterschool programs are less stressed, have fewer unscheduled absences and are more productive at work.

HRHA youth and families, as well as the general City of Harrisville could benefit

significantly from the availability of high-quality, affordable after school programming, due to the high poverty level and risk of criminal activity in the locality. Youth and families residing in HRHA communities (350 total youth residents) have a number of strengths that can be built upon to create and sustain positive change in the City of Harrisville. These strengths include a close-knit community, cultural resources, creativity, perseverance in the face of multiple obstacles, and a strong desire for better outcomes. In order to capitalize on these strengths, YOUTHWORKS seeks to mitigate the impact of challenges faced by some individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds. For example, many youth residing in 1 The Afterschool Alliance was established in 2000 by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., the Open Society Institute/The After-School Corporation, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Creative Artists Agency Foundation. http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 2 of 7

public housing are exposed to trauma related to criminal activity occurring in their neighborhoods, incarcerated relatives, and parents dealing with substance abuse issues. Moreover, some young people residing in public housing have become desensitized to criminal activity, and are often highly susceptible to the influence of gangs because these groups can provide a sense of family and income for youth who may be searching outside of the home for security and well-being. These challenges can impede educational progress and positive leadership skill development for many youth.

HRHA youth and families, as well as the general City of Harrisville are in support of

high-quality, affordable after school programming. In April 2015, The Randolph Foundation announced the results of a citywide study to identify Harrisville youth programming needs; after school mentoring programs ranked within the top three of identified programs desired by youth and parents. This finding is in stark contrast with the availability of affordable after school or summer program options in Harrisville. The Boys and Girls Club was the sole provider of affordable afterschool programs in the city, but recently closed local operations in August 2014 due to funding prioritization within the larger organization. The YOUTHWORKS ML2 (Math, Literacy and Leadership) youth development program is designed to provide the kind of high-quality, affordable after school programming encouraged by the Afterschool Alliance and other research findings. This design includes the following:

o Clear goals and evaluation plans o Culturally sensitive climate o Focus on academic skills and linkages o Focus on leadership skills o Parent, family and community partnerships o Qualified staffing and training opportunities o Recreational programming included o Regular attendance encouraged o Safe and clean facilities o Volunteers and mentors

Despite the prevalence of negative statistics associated with low socioeconomic status of many HRHA families, this program will be designed and implemented from an assets- based approach. The youth and families for HRHA communities have a number of strengths that can be built upon to create and sustain positive change in the City of Harrisville. These strengths include a close-knit community, cultural resources, creativity, perseverance in the face of multiple obstacles, and a strong desire for better outcomes for youth. The YOUTHWORKS youth development program will focus on enhancing literacy, math, and leadership skills for youth residents of the Thomas Rolfe Community. The logic model illustrated in this document outlines the theory of change for the YOUTHWORKS ML2 youth development program.

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 3 of 7

YOUTHWORKS – ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model / Theory of Change:

Resources/Inputs

•Human Resources - Youth Program Coordinator (SC School of Social Work Intern); HRHA Resident Services Manager

•Physical Resources - Community Center Building (furnishings, materials and supplies)

•Technology - computers, internet access, printers

•Community - SC Mentoring Partnership; 3V Media Design; CodeSC

Activities

•Pre skills assessment / evaluation

•Afterschool reading sessions

•Afterschool math sessions

•Saturday mentoring sessions

•Community service project

•Summer coding camp

•Summer field trips

Outputs

•Post skills assessment / evaluation

•Community Service Project presentation

•Summer coding camp project demonstration

•Program participant surveys

•Program evaluation reports

Outcomes/Measuers

•Increase in knowledge of positive role models (as measured by Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Scale - YLLSDS pre/post scores)

•Reduction in at-risk behaviors (As measured by youth surveys, pre/post program)

•Improvement in reading, math and leadership skills (as measured by school reported math/reading grade levels)

Impact

•Intended change occurring in youth participants

•Intended change occurring in families

•Intended change occurring in communities

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 4 of 7

RESOURCES/INPUTS

The following resources are needed to operate the YOUTHWORKS youth development program:

• Human Resources

• Professional program manager with experience in youth development, knowledge of the Harrisville community, and understanding of social capital theory;

• Committed and well-trained volunteers who reside in Harrisville the community; and,

• Administrative and technological support professional(s).

• Physical Resources

• Community center building;

• Furnishings, materials and supplies; and,

• Transportation for off-site activities.

• Technology Resources

• Computers and printers; and,

• Internet access.

• Community

• Parental support and acceptance of youth development principles;

• Willingness on behalf of youth to participate in the program;

• Support from local school system for program alignment; and,

• Agreement/contract and/or registration with CodeSC, SCState Social Work Department, and South Carolina Mentoring Partnership;

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 5 of 7

ACTIVITIES

The resources will be used to accomplish the following activities:

• Pre Skills Assessment & Evaluation to help determine program outcomes and impact:

• Application form;

• Assessment tools; and,

• Assessment report.

• Afterschool Reading and Math Sessions:

• Literacy skills development provided in partnership with Megan Rickman;

• Math skills development provided in partnership with South Carolina State University; and

• Sessions held 3:30pm until 6:30pm Monday - Thursday.

• Saturday Mentoring Sessions:

• Volunteer recruitment and training sessions;

• Group workshops; and,

• Individual mentoring sessions.

• Community Service Projects:

• Bookmark fundraiser;

• Community cleanup; and,

• Anti-bullying rally.

• Summer Coding Camp via Code VA (held offsite in Columbia, SC):

• Critter Camp;

• Amazing Animation; and,

• Crafty Computing.

• Summer Field Trips

• Science Museum of South Carolina and others TBD by youth participants.

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 6 of 7

OUTPUTS

If the YOUTHWORKS youth development program accomplishes the planned activities, then it will deliver the following:

• Post skills assessment / evaluation

• Each youth participant will complete a post-test at the 6-month mark.

• Community Service Project presentation

• Youth participants will present results of community service learning project during a community open house event.

• Summer coding camp project demonstration

• Youth participants will present coding camp projects during a community open house event.

• Program participant surveys

• Each youth participant will complete an age-appropriate survey on their program experience.

• Reports evaluation reports:

• Evaluation design (by external evaluator, resources permitting);

• Process and interim evaluation study; and,

• Incorporation of findings in program design.

YOUTHWORKS ML2 Youth Development Program Logic Model Page 7 of 7

OUTCOMES

If the services are delivered to the extent intended, then the YOUTHWORKS ML2 program participants will benefit in these ways, within 12 months of program participation:

• Change in knowledge – enhanced awareness of positive role models and relationships;

• Change in behavior:

• Increased propensity to analyze individual strengths and weaknesses;

• Increased commitment to identify and implement solutions to problems;

• Increased self-esteem; and,

• Decreased propensity to engage in at-risk behaviors.

• Change in skills:

• Enhanced ability to set personal and vocational goals;

• Minimum increase of 1 grade level in reading; and

• Minimum increase of 1 grade level in math.

IMPACT

If the expected benefits to YOUTHWORKS ML2 participants are achieved, then the following impacts can be expected to occur over the long-term (2-3 years):

• Intended change occurring in youth - increased leadership skills (ability and propensity to guide or direct others on a course of action, influence their opinion and behavior, and show the way by going in advance).

• Intended change occurring in families:

• Enhanced focus on education outcomes; and

• Increased commitment to community involvement.

• Intended change occurring in communities:

• Improved perception of HRHA residents and youth; and,

• Increased support of YOUTHWORKS mission and programs.