Evaluation of the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development System (AECPDS) (2005-2007)
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

This research provides a comprehensive review and assessment of the individual components of AECPDS to determine their impact on outcomes for early childhood professionals and on the quality of care for young children in Arkansas. Using a participatory evaluation approach, the researchers engaged the multiple stakeholder groups in a process of discussion and decision-making to finalize the logic model for AECPDS, delineate the specific research questions and specify the research design that would be used to gather the data (click here for a copy of the AECPDS Research Design). Further, this project was designed to build the evaluation capacity of AECPDS and the Arkansas Division of Early Child Care Services so that over time, evaluative tasks and performance measurements can be implemented and used for continuous quality improvements. For a copy of the Executive Summary and final report, Early Care and Education Workforce Development Initiatives: Program Design, Implementation, and Outcomes, click here.

Evaluation of the Building Inclusive Child Care Program (2002-2004)

Northampton Community College, Early Childhood Education Department, Reibman Hall, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem , PA 18020, Rebecca Gorton, 610-861-4162  

The Early Childhood Education Department at Northampton Community College received a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council to design and implement a program to train and mentor child care programs to enhance their ability to include children with special needs in their programs. KSRC was brought on as an external evaluator of this program. The design of the evaluation was done in conjunction with a stakeholder group, and data collection included a pre-test and post-test measures using the QUIEM instrument to assess if the program had the intended impact.

Assessment of the Current Status of Adoption of E-Business in Northwest Pennsylvania
Center for eBusiness & Advanced IT (eBizITPA), Erie, PA

This study assessed the status of adoption of e-business in 8 counties of northwestern PA. Specifically, it addressed the availability of IT resources and capabilities of the companies and organizations with up to 500 employees. The study also addressed the perceived benefits and utilization of e-business and the existing barriers to e-business commerce. The survey instrument was developed to gather data from each identified company. The data from 412 responses were both quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The project resulted in a technical report to be used for the future development of e-business in Northwest Pennsylvania.

This study assessed the availability of guardianship services both on a statewide as well as county level; specifically, this research described the type and number of guardianship services offered in each county and the number of guardianships offered through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Furthermore, this project described the problems and issues associated with guardianship services in Pennsylvania, with the purpose of identifying the preferences for various models of public guardianship and specifying the policy implications of the research findings.

Evaluation of the Geriatric Health Model Demonstration Project and the Area Agency on Aging Managed Care Partnership Demonstration Project
Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Division of Planning and Research

This project assessed the process of implementation of these two geriatric health demonstration projects in Pennsylvania. The final report provided an analysis of the experiences of these demonstration projects as they became operational. The findings offered insight into what works and what does not work in the attempts to form alliances between AAAs and their medical partners. Further, the recommendations provided useful guidance for other sites considering similar projects. Also, see these articles: “Establishing Geriatric Health Centers: Can the Aging Network Successfully Navigate the Changing Health Care System” Journal of Aging Studies , (2003)17(2), 231-250 (with Donald J. Pratt) and “The Delivery of Health Care to the Elderly: Factors that Impact the Success of Interorganizational Linkages Between Area Agencies on Aging and Managed Care Organizations” Journal of Applied Gerontology, (2003),22(4), 445-473 (with Donald J. Pratt).

Assessment of the Aftercare Services Provided to Delinquent Youth
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

This project assessed the effectiveness of the intensive aftercare services provided to delinquent youth who had been released from public YDCs and YFCs in Pennsylvania. It examined both recidivism rates and pro-social behaviors as outcomes of these intensive aftercare services. Furthermore, comparison groups that did not receive these intensive aftercare services were included in the study design. In addition to the outcome evaluation, the study incorporated a process evaluation of two service providers of the intensive aftercare services. A final report, with programmatic recommendations, was submitted to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

This evaluation determined the extent to which training has an impact on the quality of child day care throughout the state and determined the training/education needs of this workforce. The evaluation study was multifaceted, including not only participant evaluations of satisfaction with the training system, but as well, a comprehensive assessment of quality of day care (through observations of sites), information on organizational climate (through staff surveys), and determination of training needs from the observational data and input from staff via surveys.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Delivery Structure of the Sex Equity/New Options Program in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Vocational-Technical Education

This study involved both a process and outcome evaluation of the sex equity programs in Pennsylvania that are supported through the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act. This research collected data from seven of the sites throughout Pennsylvania that were randomly selected based on location (urban, suburban, and rural) and type of program (AVTS or postsecondary institution). Site visits were completed for three of the projects. Also, data was collected from over 200 participants to determine their experiences and assessment of the program. A final report that included a number of programmatic recommendations was submitted to BVTE and an oral report given at the close of the project.

The Transfer of Innovative Human Services Programs and Technology Among Pennsylvania's Counties
PA Association of County Human Services Administrators (PACHSA)

This project provided consultant services to PACHSA in their completion of the Transfer of Human Service Technologies project. KSRC consultants provided input into the selection of a MODEL program in Pennsylvania, completed a site visit and research report describing this program, prepared a detailed directory of programs throughout PA that have implemented innovative human service technologies, and presented the findings of this work at both the PACHSA and PSACC (Pennsylvania Association of County Commissioners) annual meetings.

This research evaluated the implementation of the Local Management Agency Demonstration Program in 12 counties throughout the Commonwealth. This evaluation consisted of 4 different phases. In Phase I, the Site-Specific Evaluation process each of the 12 county LMAs had on-site visits from KURC's Regional Coordinators. These Coordinators collected data from personal interviews as well as from various LMA records and documents. The outcome portion of this evaluation consisted of a pre-post research design. In Phase II, the Provider Agency Survey questionnaires were mailed to both the pre and post LMA providers in each county. These providers were asked about the impact of the LMA on their services. Over the 12 counties there were approximately 1200 surveys mailed; after the deadline, non-respondents were called and encouraged to respond to guarantee a high response rate. In Phase III, the Consumer Satisfaction Survey, a randomly selected sample of pre and post clients of LMA's services were interviewed via the telephone to determine the impact of the LMA on them as clients. Phase IV, The Final Evaluation of the LMA Demonstration involved an analysis of the data collected in individual counties as well as a comparison of the counties to determine the overall impact of the LMA and to determine if the program should be expanded statewide.

Evaluation and Planning of the Food Stamp Recipient/Employment Program
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Income Maintenance

This survey involved the collection of data for 9,830 households in twenty different sites, which represented 27,669 individuals throughout Pennsylvania. The purpose of the project was to determine the need for food stamps and employment services. This project required the collection of data, codification and data entry, data analysis, and final report preparation that included policy implications.

Assessment of the Impact of the Bureau of Vocational Education's Program for Disadvantaged Populations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Education, Research Coordinating Unit for Vocational Education

This research effort determined the impact of Pennsylvania's multi-site Vocational Education Program for the disadvantaged, which operated between 1979 and 1982. The project consisted of a research effort that combined both process and impact assessments. KURC developed the survey instrument to gather data from each funded project. The data from 269 mailed questionnaires were both quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Furthermore, on-site visits of ten projects produced additional qualitative data and provided greater insight into vocational education for the disadvantaged. The project resulted in a technical report to be used for the future planning and development of vocational education.

Mount Lebanon School District Community Survey
Mount Lebanon School District, Pittsburgh, PA

This project involved a survey of the Mount Lebanon community to ascertain attitudes toward the Mount Lebanon public schools and teachers, as well as opinions regarding specific issues, such as teacher salary levels and salary increases, healthcare benefit coverage for teachers, and teacher work loads. Socio-economic and demographic information about the respondents was also gathered to determine any relationships between these background factors and respondent attitudes. The survey was conducted via telephone using a random sample of 400 Mount Lebanon residents (400 unduplicated households). A detailed final report, including charts, tabulations and other statistical analysis, was submitted.

Survey of Older Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania Department of Aging

KSRC conducted a comprehensive survey of Pennsylvanians, aged 60 and over, to determine the needs of Pennsylvania's non-institutionalized elderly population. For this study, KURC established the conceptual framework, collected the data, provided analysis, and wrote a final report. In this report, the results of the 1984-85 survey were analyzed and compared to 1971-72 survey data from a study contracted by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare. The research/survey involved personal interviews with 2,045 randomly selected elderly Pennsylvanians.

Nutrition Education Needs Assessment
Pennsylvania Department of Education

This needs assessment was conducted to identify the nutrition education needs of 4th, 7th and 10th grade students in Pennsylvania schools. This project required the development of a collaborative relationship with schools for data collection, the coordination of data collection via field (school) staff, data organization and analysis, report writing, and recommendations for programming.

Warren County Needs Assessment, Citizens Over 55
Warren County Commissioners, Rouse-Warren County Home, Youngsville, PA

KSRC conducted a comprehensive survey of Warren County residents over 55 years old to determine the needs of Warren County's elderly population. For this study, KURC established the conceptual framework, monitored the data collection from 900 respondents, analyzed the data, facilitated a town meeting presentation of the research findings, and wrote a final report.

Comprehensive Statewide Nutrition Education Needs Assessment
Pennsylvania Department of Education

In this statewide study, a representative sample of students (fifth, eighth, and eleventh grades), teachers, and food service personnel were surveyed. The tasks included developing the research instruments, surveying 2,582 respondents, coding, entering, and analyzing the data. A detailed final report, including statistical analysis of the findings, graphics, and recommendations was prepared and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Erie County Drug and Alcohol Needs Assessment
Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Erie, PA

This needs assessment was conducted to identify the nature and extent of alcohol and drug abuse problems, to determine current needs and to assess whether or not these needs were being met. A proportionate sample of 451 residents distributed across Erie County participated in a telephone survey. In addition, a mail survey was conducted, contacting all schools and colleges, police departments, criminal justice agencies, major industries, and selected community service agencies throughout Erie County, resulting in sixty-eight completed questionnaires. The results of this assessment were compared to the findings of a similar study conducted by KURC for the Erie County Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse five years earlier to determine trends in the data. A final report summarizing the findings and providing recommendations was submitted .

Physician Interviews
Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA

The purpose of this study was to determine the problems encountered by physicians who practice at Hamot Medical Center and to identify ways in which improvements could be made so that physicians would perform a greater portion of their practice at Hamot. Personal interviews were conducted with sixteen physicians who were on the Active and Associate staffs of the Medical Center. These interviews, conducted by trained interviewers, were semi-structured, yet adequately informal to allow the physicians to respond freely. An in-depth report was prepared based on the data collected in the interviews .

Millcreek Township Attitude Survey: Teachers' Union/School Board Labor Negotiations
Millcreek Township School Board, Erie, PA

This survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of Millcreek Township residents concerning contract negotiations between the Millcreek School Board and the Millcreek Education Association occurring at the time of the study. The survey covered the following areas: 1) attitudes towards public schools, Millcreek public schools, Millcreek teachers and the administration of the Millcreek School District; 2) opinions on specific contract issues; and 3) socio-economic and demographic background of the respondents. The survey questionnaire was administered by telephone to a random sample of 204 Millcreek Township residents. For the final report, the results were tabulated for the entire sample and subgroup analyses were performed to determine differences in opinion among the various groups in the sample.