Evaluation Highlights from Pilot PhaseJuly 2005 – June 2007

Prepared for Leadership Team Meeting January 11, 2008

Evaluation of SFI:

• Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC)• Qualitative summary of pilot phase (July 2005 – June

2007) based on: – 24 key informant interviews– Data from learning networks– Project reports to DCFS and CSSP– Collateral materials

• Final report projected completion: Feb. 2008

In the Beginning:

• Promising framework (Protective Factors) and a challenge (embed Strengthening Families in your early childhood and child welfare systems)

• Needed to develop initiative from the ground up: – Child welfare connection to early childhood– Local center based pilot approach – Training– Parent engagement – Communication – Systems change– Evaluation

Structure

Partner Collaboration

• Grew from 23 to 40 state partners• 6 Learning Networks (One in Each DCFS Region) with 50 early childhood centers participating• 5,000 parents and 6,200 children reached through participating centers• 140 early childhood professionals trained as trainers for SFI training

– Mental Health Consultants– Child Care Nurse Consultants– Prevent Child Abuse IL Prevention Resource Developers– U of I Extension Family Life Educators – Learning network participants

• Trainings delivered to approximately 350 early childhood providers through learning networks • On calendars of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) and Illinois Resource Center (ISBE)

Synergy and Reach:

Partner Contributions

National Impact

ID

AZ

UT

MT

WY

NM

CO

AL

FL

SC

TN

KY

INOH

NC

SD

KS

NE

MN

WI

IA

IL

MO

AR

MS

OK

ND

OR

CA NV

WA

TX

WV

PA

M E

VA

NY

LA

GA

MIRI

VT N

H

M D

C T

HI

D E

N J

AK

M A

D C

C SSP Pilot Sites C hildren's T rust Fund States Learning N etw ork Z ero to T hree Partnering w ith Parents States N A EY C ST SF States C SSP Exem plary Program s

DC

NH

RI

Illinois leads the way:

• Comprehensive approach

• Child welfare leadership

• Parent engagement

• Family child care

• Professional development

• Evaluation tool development

• Communications tools

Parents as Primary Target Audience• Parent engagement in developing:

– Grassroots public awareness campaign

– Process to get protective factor information directly to parents (LINE Parent Cafes)

Lessons Learned / Challenges

• Embedding Strengthening Families practice in early childhood centers requires: – Leadership of the center fully committed– Availability and connection to resources– Staff training for teachers, family workers

• Maintaining learning networks– Hub Coordinator role = critical to network success– Competing priorities of participating centers– Sustaining and expanding network membership (turnover) – Forming additional networks (meeting demand)

• Training– Maintaining quality – Availability– Incentives for programs to access

• Evaluation– Creation of tools– Dedicated staff and resources for data analysis

Lessons Learned / Challenges

Lessons Learned / Challenges

• Partner collaboration – Big vision and valuable work = engagement– Relationship building – Competing priorities – Agility and ability to adapt (go with the flow)

• Child welfare collaboration– Direct relevance to children & families in the system (need to make

the link) – Need dedicated staff to make collaboration happen– Building relationships among caseworkers and early childhood staff– Data systems needed

Recommendations:

Expand effort to make greater impact with children and families:• Increase coordination of training opportunities through Illinois CCR&R Agencies• Sustain existing learning networks and support growth in additional communities• Meet growing demand for SFI training and technical assistance in non-pilot communities

• Commit resources to studying, ascertaining, and documenting impact of Strengthening Families

• Continue support of partners in attracting private and state funding in support of Strengthening Families work

• Expand initiative through partners• Embed Protective Factors beyond the arena of

early care and education• Improve data systems

Recommendations (cont):

Strategic Plan Discussion

Background: In the pilot phase, our mission was guided by the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s priorities:

“Prevent child abuse and neglect and promote the health and well-being of children and families by working with child care centers and child welfare

agency staff to incorporate evidence-based protective factors in early childhood services and

systems statewide.”

Small Group Discussion & Feedback

Question: Given the direction and vision of DCFS and the strengths of the initiative to date, what is the mission of the Strengthening Families Initiative for

the next five years?

Large Group Discussion

What does the collaboration / mission need from DCFS in its leadership role?

Large Group Discussion:

What is your agency or organization’s role as a partner in realizing the mission? (What are you prepared to contribute? What do

you stand to gain?)