241188 Evaluation planning for school-based implementation of the Teen Outreach Project in 26 Florida counties: An application of the RE-AIM evaluation framework

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 1:09 PM

Eric R. Buhi, MPH, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Rita DeBate, PhD, MPH, CHES , Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Women's Health, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Kay Perrin, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Women's Health, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie L. Marhefka, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Wei Wang, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Heather D. Blunt, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Kara McGinnis, BA , Dept. of Anthropology and College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Natalie Klinkenberger, BS , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background: Based on Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles, the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) aims to decrease teen pregnancy and school drop-out. TOP's components include building positive relationships with adults, community service learning, and curriculum-guided peer discussions. Purpose: Implement TOP state-wide and, guided by the RE-AIM framework, evaluate its processes/effects. Significance: This replication study is among the first to longitudinally evaluate TOP, and assess teen pregnancy mediating mechanisms (5 C's of PYD). Methodology: TOP will be implemented in 100 schools in 26 Florida non-metropolitan counties. Participating schools will be randomized into 1 of 4 groups, involving a delayed intervention/cohort sequential design. Group A will implement TOP in 9th grade classrooms during year 2. Groups B, C, and D will implement TOP in years 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Schools not receiving TOP will serve as controls. Impacts will be evaluated through baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year post-intervention assessments. Outcomes include teen pregnancy, school suspension/drop-out, course failure, and the 5 C's (Character, Competence, Caring, Connection, Confidence). We will employ qualitative/quantitative assessments, based on RE-AIM, including: REACH within the population, EFFICACY/EFFECTIVENESS of the intervention, ADOPTION by the target organization, IMPLEMENTATION fidelity, and MAINTENANCE of outcomes. Multi-level analyses will assess program effects, controlling for individual- and school-level characteristics. Findings/Results: This presentation will provide an overview of the project protocol and RE-AIM framework. Conclusions/Recommendations: This study will contribute to limited research of TOP/PYD programs in schools. We will discuss implications for school health, and the utility of RE-AIM in school health planning/evaluation.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1,. Describe the elements of the RE-AIM evaluation framework applied to teen pregnancy prevention/positive youth development initiative

Keywords: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the principal investigator on this teen pregnancy prevention/positive youth development program evaluation (one of 75 funded by the U.S. Office of Adolescent Health, DHHS). I have also taught Evaluation Methods in Community Health to graduate students for 6 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: School based sexuality and pregnancy programs
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