Mid-Course Evaluation Findings of the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative (HARC) of South Florida

Background: HARC was initiated in South Florida to introduce evidence-based programs for older adults in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Between Years 1 through 3 (10/01/2008-12/31/2010), 26 agencies became members, offering one or more evidence-based programs targeting low-impact aerobics, chronic disease self-management, balance, and/or depression.

Methods: The evaluation of the initiative was designed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Data for RE-AIM elements were collected through a variety of methods. Agencies were asked to complete annual questionnaires about participating in the HARC and the programs they offered, participants completed intake and pre- and post-program questionnaires, and in-person fidelity observations of workshops offered by HARC agencies were conducted.

Results: To date, HARC has reached 11,876 individuals, with many participants attending more than one evidence-based program offered by the collaborative. For each program, outcomes have shown beneficial program effects. At the end of year 3, 63% of participating agencies had offered programs in Years 1 and 2. Nearly all currently participating agencies express an interest in adopting evidence-based programs and also reported an increased ease of implementation for each program offered. Program participants report a high level of satisfaction with programs.

Conclusions: In its first three years, HARC has shown that a collaborative approach is effective in offering multiple evidence-based programs across area agencies. The collaborative has provided for a sharing of financial resources and training opportunities as well as provided for a forum to problem solve issues associated with recruiting participants and implementing programs.