SAMPLE DATA: In Adventure County, there was growing concern about how youth spend their free time. A needs assessment was conducted to collect data. Existing Information Case Studies Surveys Written Telephone Interviews Personal Group Observation Mass Media/Public Hearings/Public Forums Existing Information Data Questions for practice Implications County data indicate that: 62% of 6- to 12-year-old children live with working parents. 37% of 0- to 12-year-old children live in single-headed households that receive child support or alimony. 10% of 0- to 18-year-old children live in extreme poverty. 24% of parents commute outside the community to work. In 1995, 13% of 9- to 14-year-old youth were arrested for violent crime. There are 125 after-school childcare slots for 675 6- to 12-year-old children whose parents work full time in target community. There are three organized youth programs outside of school (Scouts, 4-H, league sports).   Did you check school data, census data, health department, social services data, other university sources, national databases (e.g., Children's Defense Fund, Kids Count) to seek information about questions you have? Have you asked other staff members if there is a file on existing data? Do you still want to continue with existing data? __Y __N Instructions. For the True, False interactive quiz below, move your mouse over the True or False button to choose your answer for each question. The answer to each question will reveal below the True False buttons. 1. The number of children who need school-age child care exceeds the community capacity to serve them.2. Nearly one-quarter of the working parents are employed outside the community. This is a concern because parental monitoring is more difficult. 3. Young adolescents are beginning to become involved in violent crimes. 4. 37% of the children are too poor for quality child care. 5. There is not enough capacity in the youth groups to serve all the needs of the children 6. The children living in extreme poverty are under the age of 10. Back to top Case Studies Data Questions for Practice Implications We tracked four youth for one week in the fall of the year. We found: Youth A (age 12 years) attended three different after-school activities in the week. He attended Boy Scouts on Tuesday, 4-H on Wednesday and a church youth group on Friday. On Monday and Thursday, he was in self care. Youth B (age 11 years) was on the school grounds playing Pitch the Penny on Monday; was in a fight on Tuesday with a 14-year-old boy; and on Thursday, was caught shoplifting in a discount department store. On Wednesday and Friday, he apparently was at home watching TV unsupervised. Youth C (age 14 years) was involved in after-school sports (either practice or a game) each day of the week. His parents attended the game. Youth D (age 13 years) was in dance class Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; went home with a friend on Wednesday; her mom picked her up on Monday for a dental appointment; and on Friday, she was seen at the mall with a group of boys and girls working on a community service project. Are there themes? What are they? Does your own bias influence your perception of data? Does this data lead you to need more data or to have more questions? Did this case study tell you something about the youth's expereinces? Do you want to continue with case study? ___Y ___N 1. There is a need to get more detailed information about the extent of youth supervision after school. 2. There is a need to measure the extent to which youth must have their supervised time patched together. 3. Youth without supervision is a trend in the county. 4. Unsupervised children get into trouble. 5. This is a complete needs assessment or evaluation. 6. Youth involved in community service and 4-H projects are more positive in their behaviors. Back to top Written Surveys Data Questions for practice Implications Self-report by 9- to 14-year-old youth. Sample size=215 youth. Demographics: Gender: 65% Female 35% Male Location: 44% Rural 56% Urban Family structure: 15% Live with both parents 45% Live with mom only 5% Live with dad only 20% Live with grandparents 15% Live with one parent and a stepparent 5% Other Ethnicity: 38% African American 37% Euro-American 13% Hispanic 6% Asian 2% Native American 4% Other Age: 30% 9 to 10 years old 47% 11 to 12 years old 23% 13 to 14 years old How 9- to 14-year-old children spend their waking hours: 8.9% In sports and other activities 20.7% Watching television 8.2% Eating 31.7% In school 2.5% At religious activities 28% Attending youth after-school programs What 9- to 14-year-old children want to do with their free time: 75% Get a job for money 72% Have more free time in a gym or recreation center 60% Do other recreational activities for fun 51% A safe place to hang out 42% Play on a sports team 26% Spend more time with parents or guardians Youth report that the greatest benefit from participating in a youth program is: 45% Learning to get along with many different kinds of people 25% Developing leadership skills 15% Making friends 10% Having fun What are the most significant findings? Is there enough information? Is an additional survey needed for more information? Did a good cross-section of your target audience respond? If not, how could you assess them? Did you ask information you really don't need? Do you want to continue with written surveys? ___Y ___N   1. It is significant that children spend 31.7% of their time in school. 2. The sample size (215 youth) is an adequate number of children and representative of the community. 3. Children have ideas about what they want to do with their free time. 4. The findings from this study can be used as a baseline comparison to similar results to be collected in one year.5. 15% of all children in the community live with both parents.6. Almost 32% of children are watching TV, but they would rather be working.7. Urban children want a safe place to hang out. 8. Youth involved in formal organizations report positive benefits from this affiliation with 45% reporting learning positive interaction skills and 25% reporting greater leadership skills. Back to top Telephone Surveys Data Questions for practice Implications 10% of 1000 parents in XYZ School were asked over the phone what they want their children to do in their free time. Demographics: Age: 39% 26 to 35 years old 45% 36 to 45 years old 9% 46 to 55 years old 7% 56 to 65+ years old Gender: 72% Female 28% Male Ethnicity: 39% African American 36% Euro-American 13% Hispanic 6% Asian 2% Native American 4% Other Number living in household (counting adults): 8% Six in family 11% Five in family 34% Four in family 22% Three in family 25% Two in family <1% One in family Family structure: 14% Live with both parents 42% Live with mom only 6% Live with dad only 22% Live with grandparents 11% Live with one parent and a stepparent 5% Other Parents indicated they wanted more activities like: 62% Music, art, dance, drama 70% Self-esteem programs 74% Academic tutoring 33% After-school programs 80% Programs teaching social skills like respect 12% Religious education programs 65% Sports programs Who cares for child while parents work (outside of school hours): 49% Self care 22% School-age care program 8% Parent at home 9% Another relative 5% Two or more care situations patched together 4% After-school activities are scheduled 2% A neighbor Parents were asked what behaviors changed in their child after they were enrolled in a formal youth program: 47% Better grades 36% More considerate of others' feelings 23% Helped more at home 12% Less sibling fighting Was the target sample reached? Was there a theme or trend that emerged? Were there any problems with the respondents' attitude? Do you want to continue with phone surveys? ___Y ___N   1. 100 parents in the XYZ School were contacted to participate in a phone survey. 2. Parents want their children to participate in after-school activities. 3. The number one way parents indicate their children receive care after school is through self care.4. 6% of single parents in the school are Asian.5. 22% of the children in XYZ School live with their grandparents.6. Parents are noting positive changes associated with their children when they are enrolled in organized youth programs. 47% have better grades and 36% are more considerate of the feelings of others. Back to top Personal Interviews Data Questions for practice Implications Personal interview conducted with stakeholders (i.e., parents, key leaders, teachers). Parents said they: Have a concern that there are too many youth hanging out on the street after school. Are worried that when youth are suspended from school there is nowhere for them to go. Have a concern that they cannot get away from their work site to transport children. Are too tired to help their children with homework at night. Cannot take their children to appointments because service providers do not schedule night and evening hours. Teachers said: Homework is often incomplete and children don't seem to care. We get a lot of transient children at this school. We don't have after-school activities to engage our children. We have no budget. Youth need to complete their homework and don't get help at home. Most of our parents work and are unavailable for conferences during the day. Children's grades improved at least one letter grade for at least two classes after their parents completed a three-month parenting education series. Key leaders (i.e., librarian, Chamber of Commerce director, postmistress, YMCA coordinator) said: We see a lot of youth hanging out in "safe spaces" like the mall, the libraries and downtown shops. I see kids just playing a lot of basketball down at the school in after-school hours. We tried hiring some youngsters to do part time work and they don't show up on time. We have offered programming, but they won't come. Did the same person interview everyone? Were the same questions used for each interview and in the same order? Were the people selected from diverse groups? Do you feel the answers were sincere and detailed enough? Did you use open-ended questions? Do you want to continue with personal interviews? ___Y ___N   1. One theme is that respondents see that parents are not available to take their children to organized activities after school.2. There is a lack of involvement by kids in after-school activities.3. Parents and teachers are both concerned about homework. 4. A shortage of funds has limited the number of after school activity opportunities for kids.5. These data suggest that what the community needs is a youth basketball team.6. School children are benefiting from their parents' involvement in parenting education. Back to top Group Interviews Data Questions for practice Implications Eight parents and 12 children were interviewed in two separate groups. Question for parents: Why are your children not in a formal youth activity program? Adult responses include: I can't take them at the hours they need to go (6 agreed). My child is not interested in the activities provided. I don't think it is in a safe location (4 agreed). It cost too much. We don't want to participate in the fund raising activities (e.g., making cookies,buying wrapping paper, etc.) Question for children: Why don't you participate? Children's responses include: It's not a matter of needing more transportation. If you can't walk there, it's too far away. I ain't takin' a bus across town to a program (6 agreed). My parents don't like the program. Cost too much (e.g., equipment and uniforms). I have enough time and my parents don't and I need them to take me there (8 agreed). I'm scared of being the worst. The program is a bunch of adults telling you what to do. It's geeky (2 agreed). What are the themes? What was the climate of the interview? Were solutions suggested? Is there a way to talk to people who were not in this group to check for consensus? Do you want to continue with group interviews? ___Y ___N   1. Transportation is a barrier to participation.2. Children should be asked when program planning is in progress.3. Parents determine which programs their kids participate.4. Establishing a community sports rental business would facilitate youth participation. Back to top Observation Data Questions for practice Implications Observations were conducted on school grounds between 6 and 8 a.m., and again at 3:15 and 6 p.m. for a full school week. (School begins at 8:00 and ends at 3:00.) Monday : 6 to 7 a.m.: 5 children dropped off 7 to 8 a.m.: 40 children dropped off on the playground. 25 children entered before-school childcare program. 3:15 to 5:30 pm.: 20 children identified as hanging out on school grounds 30 children involved in after-school programs. Tuesday : 6 to 7 a.m.: 8 children dropped off 7 to 8 a.m.: 35 children dropped off on the playground. 24 children entered before-school childcare program. 3:15 to 5:30 pm.: 18 children identified as hanging out on school grounds 26 children involved in after-school programs. Wednesday: 6 to 7 a.m.: 6 children dropped off 7 to 8 a.m.: 39 children dropped off on the playground. 27 children entered before-school childcare program. 3:15 to 5:30 pm.: 22 children identified as hanging out on school grounds. 22 children involved in after-school programs. Thursday: 6 to 7 a.m.: 7 children dropped off 7 to 8 a.m.: 40 children dropped off on the playground. 22 children entered before-school childcare program. 3:15 to 5:30 pm.: 20 children identified as hanging out on school grounds. 30 children involved in after-school programs. Friday: 6 to 7 a.m.: 12 children dropped off 7 to 8 a.m.: 40 children dropped off on the playground. 3:15 to 5:30 pm.: 21 children identified as hanging out on school grounds. 30 children involved in after-school programs. One child fell and was injured after school. Was the group aware they were being observed? Do you know the reasons for their behaviors? Was it a natural setting for observation? Were there trends? How could you represent trends? How could you get more information about those who were observed? Do you want to continue with observations? ___Y ___N   1. Before-school care seems to be a greater need than after school care.2. Parents are irresponsible and leave children in unsafe situations. 3. Parents believe that because they pay taxes, the school should be in charge of their child all day. 4. Some children are using the before- and after-school care services provided.5. Child care is needed for all children.6. Further data is needed to understand why parents are not enrolling their children in the existing school age care program. Back to top Mass Media/Public Hearings/Public Forums Data Questions for practice Implications A public hearing was held on the evening of Thursday, October 12, to provide community members a chance to voice their opinions about youth issues and to suggest solutions. Comments included: There should be more government money for youth programs. Youth program providers should collaborate and not compete. The mayor's office could play a better role in promoting programs. Youth are sassy to adults in public. Youth programs should focus on the ones who really need it the most. There is one community on the south end of the county that is really needing some help! Some retired adults might be able to help with program like this. There is an old school house that is sitting empty and needs some repair to it. The 4-H Science club involved 25 homeless youth in productive activities to enhance self-esteem and decision-making skills. On average, in five out of seven classes, the youths' grades improved one letter grade.   Was the attendance representative of the community? Was there a theme heard over and over? Was there a concensus on anything? How were potential participants informed or invited? Was a sample of the target audiences present? If not, how could you acquire their opinion? Do you want to continue with public hearings? ___Y ___N   1. The community thinks that the government should increase the city tax to remodel the old schoolhouse for a community center for youth.2. Organized efforts to build youth involvement can improve academic performance. 3. The Mayor should be unseated. Adapted From: The Answers to Program Evaluation Workbook, North Central Region Extension Publication # 751. January, 1997. Back to top

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