theory of change mapping using a youth development example

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Theory of Change Mapping using a Youth Development Example

Kimberly Snodgrass

June 27, 2012

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Advising nonprofits in:

• Strategy

• Planning

• Organizational Development

www.synthesispartnership.com

(617) 969-1881

info@synthesispartnership.com

INTEGRATED PLANNING

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Today’s Speaker

Kimberly SnodgrassAssociate

Olive Grove Consulting Hosting:

Sam Frank, Synthesis PartnershipAssisting with chat questions:Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars

Theory of Change

Mapping using a Youth

Development Example

Kim Snodgrass

Olive Grove Consulting

@kimsnodgrass, @og_consult, @reachforu

Agenda

About

Overview of TOC

Why we use one & the value one brings

Example

Q&A

Background @kimsnodgrass

Recent consulting work includes: strategic business planning

design and implementation; organizational chart design;

online market research; qualitative interview assessments;

online marketing strategies; philanthropic investment

research; executive search assistance; digital design; youth

and families research, youth development design and

programming, and event planning.

Kimberly Snodgrass graduated from the University of California,

Irvine, majoring in Honors Social Science, Public and

Community Service and earned a minor in Education. With

her commitment to serving at-risk youth, Kimberly earned her

Masters, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in

2010 with a concentration in Risk and Prevention.

Theory of Change & Developmental

Science

We get the term from theories and practices of

human development from many well known

scientists.

-Urie Bronfenbrenner, Ecological Systems

Theory

-Luthar, Resilience

-Cowen, Wellness

Google them when you have time. . .

Urie Bronfenbrenner 1977 Model

Theory helps in planning research,

developing your idea, and

organizing your facts.

Key Tips to Remember in Theory

• Intersection of research and practice

• The power of relationships

Social Program with Theory...

• Program Goal & Program Activity

• Micro Steps

• Outcomes

Sources:

-Weiss

-Kellogg Theory Approach

Assumptions that get you from

here to here... Micro-Steps!

Why the Theory of Change (TOC)?

• Outcomes based approach

• Document activities

• Document inputs (which will design a budget

usually)

• Specific in detail (great for grants)

Helpful note: Draw it out! Use paper. Use pen.

Example: State the Problem

Currently, there are 542,000 children residing in

foster care within the United States that are

subjected to many forms of mistreatment

(U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, 2007). When children are taken

away from their biological families, many

have histories of significant maltreatment and

trauma (Bruskas, 2008). Adolescent foster

youth, for example, have a higher tendency

to have difficulties in life.

Example: State the Solution

Purpose: REACH offers school and community

based programs to create equal opportunities

in education for foster youth. Breaking the

cycle of homelessness and increasing the 50

% graduation rate. Peer leaders and staff

create stable, strong support systems that

predict positive outcomes.

Make sure mission is MEASURABLE.

Theory Approach Logic Model

• Inputs: Who is going to participate?

• Activities: What will happen?

• Outputs: What are the actions? Results?

• Outcomes: What are the short-term

outcomes?

• Impact: What will we see in the longer term

from your program?

• Let's see REACHforyou.org's example...

Sources

-Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an

experimental ecology of human development.

American Psychologist. 32, 513-531.

-Weiss, C.H. (1995). Nothing as practical as

good theory: Exploring theory-based

evaluation for comprehensive community

initiatives for children and families.

-W. K. Kellogg Foundation (2004). Logic model

development guide. Retrieved online.

http://www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/P

ub3669.pdf.

Olive Grove Consulting

San Francisco, CA

We work with philanthropists, nonprofits,

industry associations, government entities,

and businesses who are intent on building a

vibrant and just society. By delivering flexible,

customized services and access to an

extensive network of leading consultants and

firms, we help our clients break through

obstacles and make the most of opportunities

to create the change they want to see.

Contact information:

kim@olivegroveconsulting.com

650-591-4155 x102

Twitter:

@kimsnodgrass

@og_consult

@reachforu

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