Abstract
This article discusses a three-year Canadian project that created common Evaluation Frameworks for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) support programs and for FASD prevention programs (i.e., programs serving people living with FASD and programs serving pregnant women and mothers). The project’s mixed-methods approach included a comprehensive literature search and consultations across Canada with multi-disciplinary service providers, program funders, researchers, and evaluators. These activities led to development of three visual “maps” depicting evaluation of: a) FASD support programs; b) FASD prevention programs; and c) FASD programming in Aboriginal communities. In addition, the team provided mentoring and evaluation-related support to program staff, funders and/or partners of five community-based FASD-related agencies. Informed by a social determinants of health lens, the maps are comprised of concentric rings showing programs’: theoretical foundations; activities; program outcomes; and wholistic participant, community and systemic outcomes. The article also shares findings regarding the applicability and utility of the Frameworks and of evaluation-related mentoring.
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Notes
In this project, we use the terms “FASD-supportive intervention programs” and “FASD support programs” interchangeably, and we have defined these as programs that aim to support and/or assist people living with FASD and their families and support networks to improve knowledge, skills and community connections, so as to better address issues associated with day-to-day living. These programs differ from FASD intervention programs in that they are not primarily focused on addressing or ameliorating the primary effects of FASD (e.g., improving aspects of cognitive functioning known to be particularly affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol).
Please note that in this discussion and in the Findings section we are using the terms Evaluation Map and Evaluation Framework interchangeably.
The overall design and the majority of elements of are shared across the three Evaluation Maps. At the same time, there are also some important differences between the Maps. For example, the evaluation map pertaining to FASD programs in Aboriginal communities has “Culture” in the innermost ring, which is then encircled by “Family, Child, Youth, Adult, and Elder” to denote the centrality of culture and extended family in the provision of support leading to wellness and healing. The Evaluation Map for FASD Prevention Programs has “Pregnant woman/mother and child” in the innermost ring to reflect our understanding that FASD prevention programs need to focus on both the woman and her child (or fetus).
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Public Health Agency of Canada, FASD Strategic Grants Fund.
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The authors of this article declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Rutman, D., Hubberstey, C., Poole, N. et al. Developing and Using a Common Framework to Evaluate FASD Programs: Results of a Three-Year Canadian Project. Int J Ment Health Addiction 14, 472–482 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9597-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9597-3