July 2013 June Background

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1 July 2013 June 2015 Background The Partners in Prevention (PiP) Project will be delivered by the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV), funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) under the Victoria s Action Plan to Address Violence against Women and their Children (the Action Plan). PiP aims to build the capacity and expertise of professionals who deliver youth- based respectful relationships education in Victoria, and to develop an approach to the sustainability of that work. PiP is a continuation of the work of DVRCV in the field of youth focussed primary prevention activity, in the context of its broader role as the state resource centre for family violence. DVRCV has worked with a network of respectful relationships providers to build a community of practice around this work, and there are now over 400 members involved with the project. A 2011 evaluation of this work indicated that it delivered the following outcomes: practitioners are better able to situate their work within a broader program and policy context practitioners are better able to form partnerships across the sector practitioners are more aware of best practice principles and the importance of evaluation and feel better equipped to meet these challenges and there is a single and established line of communication between practitioners and stakeholders within the sector including government. The findings in this evaluation will inform activities carried out by the Partners in Prevention project between July 2013 and June Program Outline Core activities of PiP include: Host the online hub for youth- focussed prevention workers: The Partners in Prevention website provides current information, operating as a one- stop shop for respectful relationships education news, information, resources and opportunities, links to materials of the safe use of technology for young people. The site also includes an online guide to respectful relationships projects. Professional development: The project will establish and lead three practitioner meetings per year on priority topics, providing an opportunity for presentations, professional development, and discussion on current practice issues. Topics will include: evaluation, discussion of respectful relationships programs in a range of settings, social media and the safe use of technology. Deliver two annual forums focusing on new and emerging issues and trends. Develop new specialised evaluation resources, to support organisations carrying out program evaluations and requesting specialist evaluation support. 1

2 Support Practice Excellence: Provide consultation and referral services to practitioners to support them with regard to the challenges of their work including partnerships, resourcing and evaluation practice. Provide monthly e bulletins to members: Monthly bulletins will keep practitioners and members up to date with current information, research, and new developments. Develop a sustainability strategy to ensure ongoing resource provision for youth focused professionals Program Rationale Partners in Prevention is underpinned by community development principles such as self empowerment, mutual support and collective action. The PiP project is based on an ecological approach to preventing violence against women, in accordance with VicHealth s Preventing Violence Before it Occurs framework. The project seeks to effect change across the spectrum of prevention from strengthening individual knowledge to influencing policy and legislation (see for details). Project activities are intended to deliver multiple, overlapping and mutually reinforcing outcomes. This evaluation plan deals with the project holistically in order to capture this. Evaluation Rationale This evaluation has been designed to ensure continuous improvement in the effectiveness of PiP project activities, assess the impact of the PiP project on respectful relationships education (RRE) activities in Victoria and document effective capacity building strategies that support workers in the primary prevention of violence against women. The evaluation seeks to answer the following questions: Did the Partners in Prevention project succeed in building the capacity of professionals who deliver youth- based respectful relationships education in Victoria? What changes can be observed as a result of the project s activities? What is the overall significance of the project? 2

3 Program vision: Program goal: Target Population: The Partners in Prevention project seeks to increase young people s participation in healthy relationships and reduce violence against women. The Partners in Prevention project seeks to sustain an enabling environment for youth targeted violence prevention activities in the state of Victoria. Professionals engaging with young people in the primary prevention of violence against women Objective 1: Key questions Information needed Data collection A range of new resources for the community (youth, families, teachers) to support best practice respectful relationships education, delivered online and through professional development opportunities How many resources were produced through PiP? How many resources developed from other organisations were collected and shared? How often were project resources accessed by workers? Did workers find the resources accessible, easy to use and useful? Did workers find the resources met their needs? List of resources produced by project websites, bulletins, publications, information sheets, etc. List of resources collected and shared by the project Website hits/ list members Workers views on project resources Project records Online surveys How did workers use project resources? How did the resources affect workers practice? members to determine usefulness of resources and perceived impact on practice Webaliser, Google analytics, Mail Chimp reports Phone or in person interviews with list members,regular meeting attendees and stakeholders Objective 2: Key questions Information needed Data collection A greater number and range of young people receiving quality respectful relationships education in Victoria How many RRE professionals attended PiP events? Did they find the professional development activities suited their needs and expectations? Views of people attending events Phone/ logs Feedback from people who have consulted with the project worker Project worker to keep a record of consultations Surveys as above How many people consulted with the project? members to determine impact on practice 3

4 Did PiP network activities increase workers knowledge of best practice, current issues and research in the field of VAW prevention? Did workers practice change as a result of their involvement in PiP activities? How? Did PiP network activities improve workers skill in delivering VAW prevention activities? Objective 3: Key questions Information needed Data collection Increased capacity for and delivery of respectful relationships education in rural and regional Victoria? Which geographic regions have accessed PiP activities? Have any missed out? Location of network members Records of attendance at PiP events Views of people attending events Phone/ logs Surveys as above Did PiP network activities increase rural and regional workers knowledge of best practice, current issues and research in the field of VAW prevention? Did rural and regional workers practice change as a result of their involvement in PiP activities? How? Did PiP network activities improve rural and regional workers skill in delivering VAW prevention activities? How has PiP impacted on the way rural and regional workers feel about their work? Feedback from people who have consulted with the project worker members to determine knowledge gained and impact on practice Satisfaction surveys to be handed out at end of events Project worker to keep a record of consultations Objective 4: Key questions Information needed Data collection Increased numbers Project worker to collect data on and strength of How many partnerships were generated through network members to determine partnerships partnerships and consultation 4

5 partnerships between programs, and between schools and youth services activities? What were the nature, strength and significance of partnerships generated? developed opportunities What projects/ activities/ other benefits have developed through PiP project partnerships? Objective 5: Key questions Information needed Data collection Sustainability of PiP Feedback from people who have consulted resources with the project worker Will resources continue to be available post the funded period? Do workers anticipate continuing to access resources from the PiP website post the funded period? members to determine whether they will access PiP resources post PiPs funded period Surveys as above Overall aspects of the project Reach Key questions Information needed Data collection What kinds of workers have benefitted from PiP activities? Which workers has PiP failed to engage with? Attendance records for all PiP events List/ knowledge of Victorian youth VAW programs and practitioners and other potentially relevant organisations Project worker to collect attendance at each meeting/ event Analysis of project records Ownership/ community development Do network members feel that the project has operated with open and accountable processes? What do workers say about how PiP has impacted on their members to inquire about their perception of project processes/ network contacts independent of PiP activities 5

6 sense of belonging to a wider community of practitioners? Emergent factors To what extent has the project continued to develop the community of practice? What questions may have been missed by this evaluation plan? members that include open ended inquiry What other benefits/ short comings do participants see in the project? Critical factors in undertaking the project What have been the critical success factors and barriers to achieving the objectives and impacts? Where to from here? Which project activities have had the biggest impact on workers and the sectors capacity? Records of involvement in different aspects of the project Interviews with project staff and stakeholders Workers views on relative merits of each project activity Project worker to collect attendance/involvement information Online survey as above with comparative questions 6

7 Partners in Prevention (PiP) Logic Model VISION: Reduce the prevalence of violence against women and children for future generations of Victorians GOAL: Build the capacity of Victorian professionals working with young people to prevent violence against women and children Objective 1: A range of new resources for the community (youth, families, teachers) to support best practice respectful relationships education, delivered online and through professional development opportunities. Objective 2: A greater number and range of young people receiving quality respectful relationships education in Victoria. Objective 3: Increased capacity for and delivery of respectful relationships education in rural and regional Victoria. Objective 4: Increased numbers and strength of partnerships between programs, and between schools and youth services. Activities: PiP Forums Resource development Network meetings Consultation and referrals Activities: E- bulletins PiP Website Consultation and referrals Network meetings Objective 5: Sustainability of PiP resources PiP Forums Resource development Activities: PiP Website Resource development Impacts: Improved practitioner knowledge and skill, including in the areas of best practice and evaluation Increased evidence base for effective respectful relationships education practice Increased quality of respectful relationships education projects Increased communication across the Victorian respectful relationships education sector Improved access to information, research and resources on respectful relationships education Increased recognition of prevention of violence against women and children as a key issue for young people 7