Prevent Alcohol & Risk Related Trauma in Youth

Research & Evaluation

We Plan to Keep Everyone Involved

Our Research & Evaluation Strategy

“I didn’t get into that car because I thought about what I learned at the P.A.R.T.Y. Program and I knew I’d better not jump in there...the driver was drinking and they crashed...”

To achieve our vision and goals, Lakeland P.A.R.T.Y. continually evaluates our programming from many perspectives.

  • Each year, we gather inputs from various stakeholders to help us guide programming to meet changing community needs.
  • At each session of core programming, we conduct pre- and post-testing of participants to ensure we are meeting our objectives.
  • At each session, we also survey participants, teachers, etc. to ensure the program continues to meet everyone’s needs and remains effective.
  • We conduct long-term follow-up surveying of participants to find out how the program affects people and ensure we are meeting our objectives in our mission statement.
  • For projects, we pre- and post-test, survey, and interview participants as appropriate to monitor outcomes and better meet project objectives.
  • We report on our results and share them with stakeholders through press releases, our website, letters to parents, public presentations and displays, as well as a variety of reports.

Stakeholder Involvement

COMMUNITY INTERVIEWS

High levels of community support

In 2007-2008, surveys and interviews of agencies, businesses, and community members at large indicated that there were high levels of satisfaction, support, and awareness by partners and those directly affected by the program such as parents who had recently had a child go through the program. Awareness was higher for direct stakeholders compared to people less affected by or affecting the program. See our supporter page.

These stakeholder surveys also brought to our attention some areas the community wanted action in, some of which we referred to other agencies and some of which we were able to address directly (e.g., ATV and snowmobile injuries and a need to keep the P.A.R.T.Y. going).

Teacher Surveys

We conduct annual surveys of needs to find out about the opinions of teachers on injury and trauma prevention in youth in our community. For online teacher survey forms, printable student survey forms, or general information about this research project, please contact:
Lori House
Executive Director
Ph: 780 573 9034
Email: lori@lakelandparty.ca

Long-term Research

EVIDENCE OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS SHOWS OUTCOMES ARE IN KEEPING WITH OUR GOALS

We surveyed students who went through P.A.R.T.Y. from 3 months to 3 years previously, and asked if there were any specific ways that the program affected their lives. Their statements indicate very high personal relevance and evidence of behavioural change. Some statements students added to their survey are listed verbatim below:

  • “I asked my mom to take office supplies out of her truck so it can’t become a projectile”
  • “I helped prevent two people from drinking and driving – thank you soooo much”
  • “I talked about it to my dad. I also got him to sign the Contract for Life paper. I think that paper should be offered to all kids in the high school. That is something a kid can give their parents and they won’t try and find another way home so they don’t get in trouble or anything.”
  • “All the commercials on TV and Radio are really pathetic and won’t convince anyone. Thanks for showing the stuff you guys showed.”
  • “The PARTY program has made me wear my seatbelt on at all times. Thank you for that.”
  • “Everyone who goes on an ATV or snowmobile should have a license for it because there are too much stupid selfish little kids who think it would be too cool to drive a snowmobile alone”
  • “It made me tell people to wear their seatbelts or go through the windshield”
  • “The thing that affected me the most was when we had to look at ourself inside the coffin due to something stupid I’ve done like getting into a vehicle with a drunk driver”

Short-term Research

PRE-AND POST-TESTING SHOWS WE ARE ACHIEVING OUR GOALS

Pre- and post-testing helps us know if we are meeting the objectives in our mission statement. For 2007-2008, the results showed an average 18.7% increase in knowledge on a written test comparing scores before and within one week to 3 months after the program.

TEACHER AND STUDENT SURVEYS SHOW HIGH SATISFACTION AND IMPACT

Teachers and students are surveyed after each program to determine which parts are valued most and changes we can make to improve their experience. This year, 93% of students reported that they felt their experience at the program is going to make a difference in how they make choices. Some of the most valuable lessons students reported taking home from the program are listed verbatim below:

  • “take risks only if they are good risks”
  • “be responsible for your actions”
  • “make sure drivers have insurance”
  • “don’t drink when you are planning to have a baby or you are pregnant”
  • “drinking at all when you are pregnant can hurt baby”
  • “what I do affects others”
  • “create a drug-free environment”
  • “always wear the right gear”
  • “how hard it is to be disabled”
  • “wearing a seatbelt will save your lives and others”
  • “my choices have consequences”
  • “don’t drink and drive”
  • “you can’t judge a person by what they look like – like a person in a wheelchair”
  • “coffee does not decrease your alcohol level”
  • “people die from alcohol”
  • “never leave your drink alone at a party”
  • “if you do something, understand the consequences”
  • “don’t drive when sleepy”
  • “always buckle up”
  • “don’t get in a car if you don’t feel safe with the driver”
  • “always have a designated driver