Recorded presentation

Monica L. Wendel, MA, MPH¹, Angie L. Alaniz², James N. Burdine, DrPH¹, Michael R.J. Felix³, Sanu Somachandran, MPH¹, and Jay Jezierski, MPH¹. (1) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, 979-458-0937, mwendel@tamu.edu, (2) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive East, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, (3) Community Health Development Specialists, 3027 Walburt Ave, Allentown, PA 18104

The Health Resources Services Administration selected the Brazos Valley Health Partnership (BVHP) as a national Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) in 2003. The project targets uninsured/underinsured residents of the six rural counties of the Brazos Valley in Central Texas. The major goals of the project are to improve the capacity of the rural communities by leveraging existing resources and to facilitate creative partnerships among service providers. The major activities of the partnership are to integrate and coordinate services through co-location and centralized case management; to provide medication assistance; and to develop a transportation system for low-income residents. While addressing fragmentation of the health care delivery system, the ultimate goal is to assist individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency.

Included in the project is a rigorous evaluation of the process and activities to determine the impact of BVHP activities on the community. Several key datasets have been identified for the evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative measures. Utilization patterns, referral patterns, cost and quality of services, Return on Community Investment (ROCI), changes in self-sufficiency, network analysis, leadership emergence, and partnership processes are included. The data gathered will be used to influence the process and also to communicate the value of the activities to the communities, partners, and future funders.

Further, attention will be directed to the impact of this intervention on the political and functional interactions among the relevant health providers themselves. Finally, the project team will look at data relevant to dissemination opportunities in other areas communities.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize the value of using multiple evaluation methods to assess effectiveness of programs.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies.
• Apply the methodologies discussed to other community-based participatory research projects.

Keywords: Evaluation, Service Integration

Related Web page: www.bvhp.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation