Project

HealthySteps Outcome Pilot Project

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

ZERO TO THREE

HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE, is an evidence-based, team-based pediatric primary care program promoting the health, well-being, and school readiness of babies and toddlers with an emphasis on families living in low-income communities.

JBA previously conducted an implementation and outcome study of HealthySteps. The implementation study used quantitative and qualitative methods to understand 65 HealthySteps sites across the country and the families they served, determine how closely the sites followed the program design, and identify any enhancements the sites made. The outcome study examined variation in data collection and assessment of key measures at a subset of sites. The HealthySteps National Office used the findings, along with other information and reviews of service delivery best practices, to update the HealthySteps model.

Building on that work, we are assisting with the development of indicators and tools to support implementation of the model and conduct the HealthySteps Outcome Pilot Project. We are also working with three pilot sites to build their capacity to collect, capture, and report key data; use data for program improvement; achieve model fidelity; and assess progress toward outputs and outcomes. The project includes—

  • Developing an implementation guide for consistent, effective model delivery
  • Establishing fidelity metrics and performance indicators to monitor site fidelity and performance
  • Developing surveys to assess site knowledge of and experience with continuous quality improvement (CQI) projects
  • Assessing pilot site implementation fidelity and data collection and reporting capabilities
  • Supporting pilot sites to improve their implementation and data collection practices, use CQI methods to conduct incremental tests of change for improvement purposes, and update implementation plans to work toward achieving fidelity to the model
  • Conducting a process evaluation to determine capacity building needs and facilitators and barriers to capacity building as it relates to data collection, reporting, CQI, and model fidelity
  • Assessing the ability of the pilot sites to demonstrate key outputs and outcomes to build the evidence base
  • Collaborating with the National Office to develop a CQI plan to use with the National Office and the broader HealthySteps Network
  • Developing a research agenda for the National Office to guide future evaluation activities 

The project aims to set clear standards for effective model delivery and build additional evidence of outcomes to promote growth, increase the visibility of the HealthySteps model, and inform future evaluation activities.

Staff

  • Lance Till, M.S. Associate Director

    Lance Till has more than 15 years of experience working in evaluation, program planning, and early childhood systems of care. He brings to JBA expertise...

  • Julie Leis Julie Leis, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate

    ​Julie Leis has nearly 20 years of experience in applied research and program evaluation in the areas of home visiting, mental health, and child development...

  • Mallory Quigley Clark, M.P.H. Senior Research Associate

    Mallory Quigley Clark has more than 10 years of experience planning, implementing, and evaluating maternal and child health programs. She has worked...

  • Colleen Morrison, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate

    Colleen Morrison has more than 10 years of experience in program evaluation and applied developmental research. Her areas of expertise include early...

  • Kim McCombs-Thornton, Ph.D., M.P.P. Senior Research Associate
  • Grace Atukpawu-Tipton, Ph.D., M.S.W. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Senior Research Associate
  • Jill Filene, M.P.H. Executive Vice President of Research and Evaluation

Partner

MDRC

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

ZERO TO THREE