AYC’s Evaluation & Learning Project has the following goals:
Measure Youth Outcomes for all program & services;
Use that data and research on best practices to improve current program outcomes for youth or develop new programs that will create positive outcomes for youth;
Streamline programs to maximize positive youth outcomes and minimize cost; and
Seek funding that will support positive youth outcomes for more youth in need.
If AYC is successful in achieving these goals, we will be enhancing our impact on youth significantly, and will be able to expand our reach to serve even more youth in need.
AYC began the capacity building efforts connected to organization wide evaluation and learning in 2014 with the development of our first cloud-based client data system for demographic information and intentional program designs formed on evidence based practices. In 2015, AYC expanded the cloud-based data system to include units of service, and worked to refine a client centered program model that blended resources (including government funding) to better meet the needs of youth. In 2016, we further broadened our client date system and program designs to include outcome metrics.
AYC is now ready to track outcome metrics for the 2016-2017 fiscal year and will draw on the data and learning from that experience to further refine and improve the program designs. In addition, we view this as a learning opportunity for the organization to extend this approach of greater intentionality in program design and performance measurement for all AYC programs to ensure we are operating cost effective programs that improve outcomes for youth.
AYC is committed to building an organizational culture that empowers and respects youth and that values curiosity and learning as strategies for continuous program improvement so that we can better serve youth.
The LEAP Program is a pilot program, where we have integrated the educational, employment, and social services with coordinated case management to meet the multiple needs of high risk youth.