From Model to Reality: The Role of Implementation Readiness

Deborah A Moroney

doi:10.5195/jyd.2020.1057

Abstract

Arnold and Gagnon’s timely work on the 4-H Thriving Model is an excellent example of the application of developmental science in youth development practice. In their article, the authors describe how 4-H, an established youth development organization, updated the theory of change. Designing an actionable theory of change based on science is indeed a commendable effort for any youth-serving organization. However, the work does not stop there. The diverse 4-H system now has the ultimate challenge of adopting and implementing the principles presented in their theory of change. In this commentary, I discuss the often-overlooked components of implementation readiness: motivation, general capacity, and content-specific knowledge (R=MC2) in relation to the 4-H Thriving Model. When staff are ready, they can succeed in aligning resources and coordinate professional learning for the adults, or implementers, to know and understand the theory of change and associated practices. Fostering learning and development to enact science-informed strategies, as Arnold and Gagnon have done in the 4-H Thriving Model, is critical to developing sound models of youth programming. However, to implement a model into practice, the real and human factors of implementation readiness are key to success.

Highlights

In Arnold and Gagnon’s article on the 4-H Thriving Model (“the model”), the authors describe how 4-H, an established youth development organization, endeavored to codify a new theory of change. 4-H’s goals in doing so were (a) to update their practices in light of advances in developmental science and research on youth development practices, and (b) to bolster evaluation efforts (Arnold & Gagnon, 2020)
I had just finished my talk on adult capacity (Moroney, 2016), and was excited to hear a keynote by Joe Durlak (2016), one of my youth development implementation research heroes
I am encouraged that Arnold and Gagnon presented the model in a way that makes it ideally suited for implementation

Summary

Implementation Science as a Bridge

Let’s take a step back and look at the stages of implementation. These phases are adoption (do it as intended and do it well), replication (do it over and over with the same outcomes), adaptation (tweak it to suit your context while still getting the same outcomes), and a new one—which I love—reinvention (create a new and worthwhile practice) (Morel et al, 2019). The first phase of implementation, adoption, is where issues of fidelity and quality come into play, so it’s not as simple as picking up the new thing and running with it Even before this phase, though, there is a critical first, first step: implementation readiness

Are We Ready to Implement?

The Role of Implementation Readiness

Ready to Thrive?