Assessing Fidelity to a Logic Model: The National Cross-Site Evaluation of Juvenile Drug Courts (JDC) and Reclaiming Futures (RF) Experience

• NCJ Number: 249762
• Author(s): Alison R. Greene; Erika M. Ostlie; Raanan Kagan
• Date Published: July 2015
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2013-DC-BX-0081
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Award: FY12 Cohort Juvenile Drug Court/Reclaiming Futures Evaluation

Annotation

This presentation at the 2015 National Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference addresses logic models and how to develop them; the logic model of the juvenile drug court (JDC) and Reclaiming Futures Initiative (RF); how to use logic models to assess the fidelity of program implementation; linking program fidelity to program outcomes; and lessons learned from the national cross-site evaluation of the JDC/RF experience.

Abstract

In outlining the purpose of logic models, the presentation explains that they provide a "road map" or template for planning and implementing a new or revised program. The essential components of a logic model are listed. This is followed by an explanation of the application of the logic model to the development of a JDC. How to make and use a logic model are then explained, followed by a detailed explanation of the JDC/RF logic model. This includes descriptions of the features of the JDC and RF models, the integrated JDC/RF model, and the creation of a unified JDC/RF model . Next, steps are presented for the National Cross-Site Evaluation of JDC/RF programs. The evaluation steps were to define the evaluation focus; develop performance indicators; collect data; scoring; assess fidelity based on score; and link program fidelity to outcomes. The presentation concludes with a listing of lessons learned from the cross-site evaluation of JDC/RF programs.