What's going on?! This week, we will learn about the Lancaster County Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). Thank you, Jeff and Mark, for answering the following questions about TDP.
What is the project/job assignment you have been selected to share about? (Please describe what the project does or what your job assignment is.)
The Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) provides options for some truant youths in the Lincoln Public Schools as an alternative to standard processing through the juvenile court. The TDP team is conducting a program evaluation to determine whether the program operates as it intends to and whether it is effective in reducing the level of truancy for the youths enrolled.
Who are the members of the project/job assignment? (Please provide a job title and brief description of what they do.)
Jeff Chambers and Mark Cooper are the evaluators for this project.
When did the project/job assignment begin, and how long is it for?
The Truancy Diversion Program started under the leadership of Judge Ryder in 2011. The program evaluation through CCFL began in 2016 and is subject to reauthorization on an annual basis.
What inspired this project/job assignment, and how has it evolved?
The Lancaster County Division of Human Services, in an effort to identify the Truancy Diversion Project along the Evidence-Based Practice continuum and at the recommendation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, sought the services of an evaluator to move their evaluation efforts forward.
Any challenges in the project/job assignment?
The initial planning stages in a program evaluation are often the most challenging: getting all the stakeholders on the same page about expectations, timelines, tasks, etc. There are evaluation plans to develop, IRB proposals to submit, and data collection procedures to work out.
What’s the most exciting or best part of getting to work on or being part of this project/job assignment?
Mark indicates that program evaluation has been his “wheelhouse” since finishing his master’s degree in assessment and evaluation over 20 years ago. He enjoys helping all the stakeholders get from the evaluation what they want and need. Also, after 25+ years of working together at the Center, this is the first time Jeff and Mark have directly collaborated on a contract or work assignment.