Developing an outcome evaluation plan for the domestic violence programme in Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores

Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing recognition that violence against women has a far-reaching and devastating public health impact, affecting approximately 30% of women globally. Therefore, domestic violence shelters and programmes play an essential role in providing immediate safety and support for victims and their families. Objectives: The purpose of this project was to help Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) De Colores identify their intended outcomes and develop an outcome evaluation plan, which included the definition of outcomes (indicators) and the measurement tools. Materials and methods: Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted during the summer of 2014 at De Colores with a sample of six participants, representing the different services provided, including director of operations, office manager, case manager, counsellor and legal advocate and one participant was interviewed on behalf of funding sources. The duration of the interview ranged from 45 to 60 minutes. An interview guide was used to guide the interviews with open-ended questions. Data from the interviews were audio recorded and used to evaluate interviewer notes and interpretations during the data analysis period. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants and confidentiality assured. In addition, a literature search was undertaken to identify additional outcomes. Results: An outcome evaluation plan was developed for De Colores, which identified significant/high priority outcomes, indicators and measurement tools. Sixteen outcomes were identified of which 12 have existing indicators in the programme. Conclusions: An assessment tool to measure the four outcomes that lack assessment tools or to strengthen the tracking of the other outcomes. The assessment tools included ‘ Self-Sufficiency Matrix’, ‘Pre/Post survey on domestic violence’ and ‘The 19-item regulation of emotions questionnaire’ . Acknowledgements: Dr Norma Perez-Brena for supervising this project.