REACH Program Analysis

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REACH Program Analysis
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Project Goals

• We decided to try to help improve REACHs outcome
  measures
• We Found a United Way Model for outcome measures
• We chose three methods to evaluate REACHs impact
  on the children, parents, and staff
• We looked for impact on reading, changes in
  attitudes about reading, connections between
  children and volunteers, and an overall outlook
  on the program

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Methods

• Survey We drafted two surveys-one for the
  parents and one for the shelter staff. The
  surveys helped us obtain measurable results
• Phone interviews When we could not attend a
  read-aloud or distribute the surveys in person,
  we called the shelters and spoke to the staff
• Observational/Informal chats with the children
  during down time or during the craft activities,
  we asked them about books they read, their
  favorite part about REACH, and other pertinent
  questions that would help our research
• Researched similar programs to REACH

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Other Read Aloud Programs

• Read Aloud America
• Parents and students share books
• Read Aloud Delaware
• 7280 children are read to regularly in 188
  centers, shelters and clinics
• Reading Reaches
• Serves 6 shelters
• Reading Connection
• Model for REACH

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The Reading Connection

• They told us Good Luck!
• But asked to keep in touch with results
• Contact info
• Corrin Chambers
• (Program Manger)
• ckissell_at_thereadingconnection.org

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Research

• 18 Surveys collected
• Surveys and Informal chats successful
• Phone interviews not successful
• Not able to research children
• Through participant observation we gathered
  information from approximately 27 children

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Survey Results Parents

• 7 out of 8 said they read for reasons not
  work/school related
• 9 out of 10 read to their children at least
  occasionally

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Survey Results Shelter Staff

• 8 out of 8 said the children get excited for
  REACH on program nights
• 4 out of 5 said they feel the children make a
  connection with REACH volunteers
• 5 out of 8 said they see the children or parents
  reading REACH books outside of the program

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Participant Observation Findings

• What the children shared on how they choose books
• They choose books based on the title or cover,
  because it looks interesting, or teaches them
  something new
• They like to read about other peoples lives and
  how they handle situations
• A couple of children said they ask for advice on
  what books they should read next

• I like to read books that challenge me.
• I chose books by reading the back of the book to
  see if it is going to be interesting.

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Participant Observation Findings(Continued)

• When asked about how many books they read, every
  child could not say off the top of their head
• They were able to look at books in the book and
  show books they have read
• They would show a least 5 books
• Books they showed appeared to be books that are a
  part of a series

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Dans Other interesting findings

• Dan was told
• Wow, you read well!
• When I participated, it appeared that I received
  more attention
• The children seemed to choose books and listen to
  stories that have the ability to send them to
  another world
• Some of the children seemed to be fighting for
  volunteers attention
• Shows the children that loving books is great and
  how other people (volunteers) love reading

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Findings

• Children enjoy reach volunteers, crafts, male
  role models
• Parents/staff think positively of the program
• The types of data REACH uses is used at other
  programs

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Other findings

• On a larger scale a good idea and it seems
  practicable to continue this research
• Recommend it as useful for measurable results
• A process to institute
• REACH appears to be making an impact on the
  children
• Providing an outlet for socialization
• To escape and enjoy being kids

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Suggestions for Future

• Continue surveying to gain more numbers to
  measure outcomes
• Record Keeping better way to maintain
  information in log book to better outputs
• Volunteer research issues training
• Community events exposure
• Partner activities book drive

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You guys do a wonder (sic) job with my
child.I think it is a (sic) excellent program
and very beneficial for the little ones that are
deprived of such an important hobby.I love
and appreciate the REACH volunteers.
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Web Sites

• http//www.readaloudamerica.org
• http//kids.denverlibrary.org/grownups/readaloud.h
  tml
• http//readalouddelaware.org/
• http//www.unitedway.org