Research Activities
Evaluation of the Community Mental Health First Responders Course Programme (2020-2021)
Funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund
The Community Mental Health First Responders Course Project, an outreach initiative of the SWTRC, aimed to normalize mental wellness as an important aspect of overall wellbeing and develop community mental health capacity by raising awareness, knowledge and skills of community members, enabling them to respond to mental health needs as it arises within their community. This internal evaluation assessed the first cohort’s (n=26) overall experience with the project, and if it had an impact on participants’ mental health knowledge and attitude towards community and personal mental health. Data was collected via evaluation forms, focus groups and course grades. It is anticipated that the results will provide valuable information to enhance the course for future offerings.
Evaluation of the R.E.A.L. M.E. Programme (2018-2019)
Funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and U.S. Embassy Kingston
The R.E.A.L. M.E. is a youth wellness and wellbeing project consisting of four main activities: Art and Culture Youth Club sessions, a field trip, community service and follow up. Fifty-six students, aged 13 to 18, from Papine High School and Waterford High School participated in the programme. The SWTRC conducted the internal process and outcome programme evaluation, which included longitudinal data assessing self-rated level of wellness and wellbeing knowledge, self- efficacy and self-esteem. Additionally, data was collected via evaluation forms and focus groups.
Oral History Project (2015- present)
Funded by The University of the West Indies, Open Campus
The Oral History project aims to capture memories, perspectives and philosophies from pioneers in the field of social work in the region over the last 75 years. The SWTRC conceptualized this project because, to date, there is no documentary or collection about the development of social work in Jamaica. Currently ongoing, the project utilizes the research skills and interests of undergraduate and graduate students in social work in the data collection process. Recognizing that each Caribbean country has its own pioneers, the Centre ultimately aims to extend this project to the wider region upon completion of the Jamaica documentary.
In 2017, UWI TV featured two of the pioneers, Dr. John Maxwell and Mr. Basil Ferguson, in a series celebrating Pelican Pride. Snippets from their respective interviews can be accessed using the links below:
Impact Evaluation of Youth Programmes in Jamaica – Career Advancement Programme (CAP), 2012-2014*
Funded by The Ministry of Education, Government of Jamaica & Inter-American Development Bank
*A study conducted in collaboration with the University of North Texas (UNT)
The Career Advancement Programme (CAP) was launched in 2010 to provide up to two additional years of “senior school” secondary education, giving youth aged 16 to 18 opportunities to gain skills and prepare for careers and occupations. This longitudinal study, which began in January of 2012, aims to establish outcome effects of the CAP on academic abilities (particularly in reading and mathematics), social functioning, workplace skills development, career decision-making abilities, and economic and social benefits of participation in the programme. The study was quasi-experimental, employing propensity score matching to determine treatment and control groups for comparative analysis. Data collection included participants’ completion of between five and seven instruments across four waves of data collection between January of 2012 and December of 2013. Study participation has ranged from 614 to 1,545 persons per wave across the treatment and control groups. Qualitative research was also conducted, including eight focus groups with CAP students and three focus groups with parents/guardians.
Impact Evaluation of Youth Programmes in Jamaica – National Youth Service (NYS) Non-residential Corps Programme, 2011-2014*
Funded by The Ministry of Education, Government of Jamaica & Inter-American Development Bank
*A study conducted in collaboration with the University of North Texas (UNT)
The Corps Programme is the primary means by which the NYS carries out its mission of developing young people who are patriotic, disciplined, responsible, caring, confident, self-reliant, and culturally aware. In 2010 a non-residential programme format was introduced in place of the former residential format with a view to increasing programme accessibility. This longitudinal study, which began in August of 2011, aimed to establish outcome effects of the non-residential programme on academic abilities, social functioning, workplace skills development, career decision- making abilities, and economic and social benefits of programme participation. Results were also be compared to the 2008-2009 residential programme impact evaluation. The study was quasi-experimental, employing propensity score matching to determine treatment and control groups for comparative analysis. Data collection included participants’ completion of between five and seven instruments across five waves of data collection from August of 2011 to June of 2013. Study participation ranged from 134 to 851 persons per wave across the treatment and control groups. Qualitative research has also been conducted with six focus groups involving former NYS programme participants.
The published results of the Impact Evaluations can be found in the Inter-American Development Bank’s (2016) Development Effectiveness Overview 2015, pages 98-102
Reference
Inter American Development Bank (2016). Development Effectiveness Overview (DEO) 2015. https://doi.org/10.18235/0005870
Data Entry, Analysis and Reporting for The National Youth Service (2014)
Funded by Ministry of Youth and Culture
The SWTRC conducted data entry and reporting of data collected from five National Youth Service programmes, which included a total of nine individual instruments, with approximately 5,600 completed data forms.
Satisfaction Survey of Employers of Participants in the National Youth Service (NYS) in Jamaica, 2009
This study focused on organizations that employ National Youth Service (NYS) participants during the six month work placement phase of the Corps Programme. The study assessed placement employer experiences with the NYS, recruiting priorities, levels of satisfaction with the performance of the interns, and demand for future training programmes. A total of 619 public and private sector NYS partner organizations participated in the study.
Evaluation of the Jamaica Values and Attitudes (JAMVAT) Project, 2009
The Jamaica Values and Attitude Project (JAMVAT), operated by the National Youth Service (NYS), provides tertiary level students the opportunity to earn 30% of their tuition by volunteering 200 hours at an organization. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the JAMVAT programme in meeting its main objective: to instill a sense of civic responsibility while simultaneously encouraging positive values and attitudes towards community development and nation building. A total of 250 study participants were tested just prior to the 200 hours of volunteer service, and again at the end of the service period. Out of 671 JAMVAT students in the 2008-2009 programme cycle a total of 229 participated in the study as members of the treatment group. The control group was comprised of 21 (out of a maximum 43) students who applied to JAMVAT but were disqualified on the basis of assistance provided by the Student Loans Bureau.
