Informing the next generation of prevention programs: CSAP's cross-site evaluation of the 1994–95 high-risk youth grantees

Abstract

With more than 400 projects funded since its initiation, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) High-Risk Youth Demonstration Program (HRY) is a prime example of federally sponsored demonstrations for generating and disseminating policy and program lessons in the area of substance abuse prevention. The HRY demonstration has provided strong support for both local and cross-site evaluation, and incorporated evaluation results into demonstration policy to (a) encourage stronger local evaluation, (b) encourage more coherent program planning and management, (c) encourage use of the risk and resiliency approach(es) to designing programs, and (d) encourage more comprehensive program purposes and activities. In April 1995, the Division of Knowledge Development and Evaluation within CSAP initiated the third cross-site evaluation of HRY programs which utilizes a clear conceptual framework emphasizing the risk and resiliency approach utilized by HRY grantees funded in 1994 and 95. The study implements a common quasi-experimental design across 48 selected sites, and will involve approximately 6,000 treatment and 4,000 comparison subjects. A common questionnaire will be used in all sites, generating data that will support a flexible, regression-based analysis plan. In addition to contributing to the systematic development of substance abuse prevention knowledge, the CSAP National Cross-Site Evaluation of HRY Programs will advance understanding of the design, implementation, and utilization of large, multi-site evaluations as sources of policy learning. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.