The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63752

Anne B. Keith, RN, DrPH, C-PNP, College of Nursing, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St, PO box 9300, Portland, ME 04104, 207-780-4138, akeith@usm.maine.edu, Michele Polacsek, PhD, MHS, Division of Family and Community Health, Maine State Bureau of Health, 4100 Route 135 South, Winthrop, ME 04364, Judy Lloyd Storfjell, Public Health Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 4720 E. Hillcrest Drive, Berrien Springs, MI 49103, and Paul Kuehnert, MS, RN, Director, Division of Disease Control, State of Maine, State House Station 11, Augusta, ME 04333-0011.

The Maine Bureau of Health designed multiple interconnected initiatives to expand and coordinate the early identification and rapid response to events of public health significance including bioterrorism. New initiatives were founded on the principle of strengthening the infrastructure to function effectively day to day as well as during unpredictable emergencies. However, the likelihood of fragmentation and miscommunication among the various initiatives was a potential barrier.

A formative evaluation process was conceived by the BOH as one unifying strategy. The evaluation partners track the key indicators for a coordinated community-based system of early detection and response and provide actionable data to stimulate continuous progress toward program objectives. An overall logic model was developed with three supporting models: early detection and analysis, communication with providers and the public, and rapid action by coordinated community responders. Key stakeholders were oriented to the logic model process and then participated in the development of the supportive logic models. As a result, critical indicators agreed to by all were identified and mechanisms for monitoring and reporting were instituted early in the initiative to create a feedback loop that promotes communication and unified movement toward the common goals.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. To describe the application of a multi-dimensional logic model approach to planning and evaluation of multiple interconnected BT initiatives.
• 2. To discuss the three essential components of a comprehensive state BT infrastructure
• 3. To define a formative evaluation process for continuous improvement in multiple BT initiatives.

Keywords: Infrastructure, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Maine State Bureau of Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.