"… it gave me the oomph to go and do it … or I'd still be sitting in the house 24/7.” Community Connections Program. Evaluation Report.
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Date
2022-08
Authors
Bogomolova, Svetlana
Eyers-White, Diana
Tan, PJ
Jardine, Bryony
Mackenzie, Catherine
Goodwin-Smith, Ian
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Centre for Social Impact, Flinders University
Rights
Centre for Social Impact, Flinders University
Rights Holder
Abstract
This report presents an independent evaluation of The Community Connections Program (CCP) administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) South Australia. CCP funds 34 government and non-government partner organisations in 12 State Government Regions to deliver short-term programs and services to support people to increase independence by building connections with communities, social networks, and services. The objective of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of the early stages of implementation of CCP (nine months into the program) to inform improvements and recommissioning of CCP post June 2023. The evaluation covers data from partners’ quarterly reports (covering the period from the 1st of July 2021 to the 31st of March 2022), qualitative data from focus groups with partners and participants (separately), and R2D2 quantitative data as of the 3rd of June 2022 from 1013 program participants (195 finished the program) and 1740 referral experiences.
Overall, participants were highly satisfied with CCP and how the program (and staff) assisted them to connect to services, systems, and other people. Participants noted that CCP staff were empathetic and offered immediate emotional support, guided them on their journeys, and listened to their needs.
Description
Keywords
Community programs, Human services, Social activities, Social networks
Citation
Bogomolova S, Eyers-White D, Tan PJ, Jardine B, Mackenzie C, and Goodwin-Smith I (2022). "… it gave me the oomph to go and do it … or I'd still be sitting in the house 24/7.” Community Connections Program. Evaluation Report. Centre for Social Impact, Flinders University, Adelaide.