Evaluating the design and initial development of the six projects currently funded by the Community-Based Youth Development Fund (YDF) shows that the projects are on target to meet their objectives and contribute to the goals of the New Zealand Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NZYSPS – the goals of the strategy are listed in Appendix 1).
The six projects funded from 2002 to 2005 are working with youth at-risk in communities throughout New Zealand. Two Auckland-based projects are working mainly with young Pacific people, three projects are working mainly with rangatahi, young Māori, and the sixth project is a national initiative to increase acceptance of sexual and gender diversity, and provide support for queer youthi
The evaluation uses a three-stage approach, developed in partnership with the projects. A glossary of evaluation terms used in the report is in appendix 2.The first stage, a design evaluation, examines the set up and initial operation of the projects, using:
- the project's monitoring reports and documentation; and
- discussions with the project workers and Community Development Group (CDG) Advisors.
These sources confirm that all of the projects are established, have good administrative and management processes in place, and are engaging with the young people, and their whānau/families and communities.
The design evaluation also uses intervention logic models to document each project's initiatives and activities, and demonstrate how they are contributing to the project's objectives and the objectives of the NZYSPS (the logic models for each project are in appendix 3). Evaluation questions have been developed in consultation with each of the projects to guide the next two stages – a process and outcome evaluation (the questions for each project are in appendix 4).