Projects

Evaluation of Family Support America STATES Initiative

Family Support America's (FSA) initiative was intended to promote the family support movement in eight states-The State Technical Assistance and Training for Effective Systems (STATES Initiative). Family Support America invited representatives of states to submit proposals to become a part of this national initiative and receive technical assistance and other resources. Potential state partners were required to demonstrate their ability to engage in and develop collaborative relationships among key state agencies, community-based organizations and grassroots community stakeholders (e.g., parents). The STATES Initiative was originally implemented in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Washington and West Virginia. FSA provided the selected states with technical assistance and other supports to identify and implement strategies for engaging, supporting and serving children and families using a family support approach (See Attachment A in the Appendices for Family Support Principles). Although not a part of the original initiative design, states also received one-time grants directly from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support a portion of their planned initiative activities.

In collaboration with an institute at the University of Pennsylvania, CAPD conducted an assessment of the STATES Initiative, focusing onfour outcome areas: Family Engagement (parent engagement, in particular), Training, Improving Coordination Among Family-Serving Systems and Affirming Diversity. A major portion of the data came from in-depth telephone interviews with selected respondents in each of the eight participating states - Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Washington State, and West Virginia. Additional data was obtained through review of documents and materials. Following interviews with state respondents, a summary was prepared for review by each state's lead contact person. The summary included information collated from all the interviews on relevant structures and capacities existing prior to the Initiative, infrastructure developed or strengthened during the Initiative, major effects in each of the four family support areas, major legacies of the Initiative, and specific ways in which Family Support America was helpful. A follow-up interview was held with each state lead contact person to review the summary.