Evaluate Success

The parent coalition had wanted to find a local university that was interested in documenting their efforts and evaluating their strategies. Unfortunately, they were not able to secure funding or commitments from individuals or agencies to conduct a rigorous study of their efforts. The Danyaville Parents Advocating Prevention (DPAP) understood the importance of evaluating their prevention efforts. Studies documenting areas of achievement and improvement would enable the organization to refine its approach. Furthermore, research endeavors would help promote the coalition, expand the organization, and lend itself to replication across the nation.

At the early stages in the coalition’s history, the DPAP decided to document all of the processes implemented and completed by the organization. Using a process evaluation method, the coalition was able to pinpoint factors that either facilitated success or hindered them. All coalition members diligently recorded tasks as they occurred, documenting whether the activity was being administered according to plan. The DPAP also organized several community focus groups throughout the program to learn how to better serve the interests of the community. Using a set of focus group guidelines, the parents were able to facilitate focus groups with relative ease.

The coalition was also able to evaluate its success though outcome measures. Since the parents had completed a thorough needs assessment, baseline data of alcohol-related incidents prior to their efforts was available. Of specific interest to the group was the change in number of youth cited for alcohol violations. Comparing the number of youth parties disrupted by law enforcement in which alcohol violations occurred prior to the coalition, to the number occurring at the end of the initial 6-month period of compliance checks, the DPAP was able to determine the effectiveness of their strategies. By compiling and analyzing this information, the parent coalition and the police department identified both successes and areas to improve. This vital information will aid the coalition in tackling their next issue: keg registration. With the results of their first prevention effort underway, the DPAP was ready to celebrate. On the second anniversary of their first meeting, the coalition hosted a festive picnic to thank all of the members and partners who were instrumental in reducing youth access to alcohol. The Hardens and founding members of the coalition were proud of their accomplishments.