Integrating Evidence-Based Youth Programs Into Community Initiatives

Posted by on August 3, 2009

Integrating Evidence-Based Youth Programs Into Community Initiatives

There is growing recognition that single programs rarely produce large or permanent changes in the lives of disadvantaged children — that a series of sequenced and aligned programs and services is more likely to produce lasting improvements.  At the same time, there is growing interest among policymakers, philanthropists, and program staff in investing in community-level interventions, to maximize the likelihood that programs will actually succeed in improving outcomes for children and youth.

A new Child Trends brief, Programs for Children and Youth in a Community Context, provides insights from a recent Child Trends Roundtable with leaders of community initiatives that incorporate evidence-based and evidence-informed programs.  Insights include recognizing the value of using data to guide and shape programs; taking both program implementation and sustainability seriously; planning carefully; and being sure that missions are well-aligned across programs, community initiatives and education systems.

http://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2009_07_16_PI_ProgramsContext.pdf