Evaluation

Individuals from three separate institutions coordinate the Charlotte REACH 2010 Evaluation plan. The plan is multi-faceted and is designed to monitor progress in processes and outcomes. It consists of qualitative and quantitative methodologies designed to address the evaluation model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The scope of the evaluation includes monitoring behavior change with participants of the interventions, Lay Health Advisors (LHAs) and people having contact with LHAs over the course of the project. Also included are empowerment issues among coalition members, disparities in health in the targeted community, community's capacity for health, and program improvement.

Expected Outcomes
 
The result of such a plan will yield measurable changes in 1) individual attitudes, 2) individual and community behaviors, and 3) community capacity and systemic policies that are known to reduce the incidence and complications of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
 
 
QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
 
College of Health and Human Services, Department of Health Behavior and Administration, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
 
Purpose: Assist in the interpretation and explanation of findings from the current implementation of the quantitative evaluation methods including the Charlotte REACH 2010 Community Survey, Coalition Survey and Longitudinal Semi-structured interviews of Lay Health Advisors.
 
Objective: Assess opportunities for increasing program participation, enhancing program implementation and achieving the institutionalization of Charlotte REACH 2010 within the targeted communities.
 
Methods: A series of 10 focus groups conducted with:
- Lay Health Advisors (1)
- Charlotte REACH program staff (1)
- Participants of Charlotte REACH programs and activities (4)
- Non-participants of the Charlotte REACH Project (4)
 
Key informant interviews were conducted with Coalition members and Key leaders involved (6), engaged, and in support of the Charlotte REACH 2010 Project.
 
 
QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION
 
Carolinas HealthCare System?s Dickson Institute for Health Studies.
 
Purpose: To track and document changes in risk and protective behavior of residents, LHAs, participants of interventions and contacts of the LHAs in the targeted area. To monitor progress and processes of the Charlotte REACH coalition.
 
Objective: To measure the impact on risk/protective behavior as a result of interventions.
 
Methods: A community survey was developed monitoring health status, protective and risk behavior in the area of smoking, nutrition and exercise, stages of change for protective behavior, and sources of healthcare. Every other year the survey is conducted in the targeted community. Intervention specific questions from the survey are used to monitor pre-intervention and post-intervention behavior. Persons having four or more contacts with LHAs will be surveyed and compared with community wide responses using the community survey. LHAs are given the survey annually to monitor behavior change. Secondary data (hospital discharge, emergency room use and diabetes registries) is being collected to evaluate changes in health disparities.