ABOUT OUR WORK
Research and evaluation activities center around helping service providers understand how their programs are implemented and the outcomes they achieve. The Center can assess the extent to which services are implemented as expected (e.g., whether it meets model fidelity, where implementation plans could be more specific or consistent, where there are variations in practice, etc.); determine client satisfaction with services received and capture key feedback for program improvement; and/or evaluate program impacts on clients in the short and long term. This information will help the program establish their success, learn about aspects they need to improve, and potentially expand their operations.
Technical assistance services focus on guiding service providers toward program improvement. The Center may undertake cycles of continuous quality improvement (e.g., assessing current status, selecting a goal for short-term improvement, developing and implementing strategies to achieve that goal, assessing impacts of those strategies, and determining next steps); staff or stakeholder training (e.g., providing trainings for program staff on use of data for program improvement, or trainings on use of particular data systems); or ongoing staff support in use of a data system. These processes support improvement and provide a skill-building scaffolding for the program staff to further continue this process independently and allow for informed decision-making and long-term success.
Information technology support is the provision of data management services for service providers, whether state agencies or small community organizations. Service providers need to efficiently and effectively record information about who they serve, how clients were served, and their service outcomes. Programs often have specific and complicated model requirements that mean that sophisticated databases are required; further, many staff may need to use and access this information, requiring cloud-based systems.
The Center can leverage its extensive cloud-based database and web application development experience to create and support appropriate data systems for such organizations. These databases will allow programs to record and access critical information to establish model fidelity and determine program impacts. We also provide outstanding client service, in the form of live helpdesk support, application training, and ongoing client communication.
Specifically, the Center has developed Home Visiting Online, a custom-made web application and database aligned with the requirements of the Healthy Families America home visiting model; the system is currently in use by X programs in Y states. For more information on HVOnline, see linktosubpage!
Please note that CHSES can provide both simple and complex data system development; we are happy to work with programs to develop a proposed system that meets your needs and budget requirements.