Sustaining Community‐Based Programs for Families: Conceptualization and Measurement*

Abstract

A conceptual model for evaluating community-based program sustainability is presented, along with a 53-item Program Sustainability Index (PSI). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and principal axis factor analysis indicate strong support for each of the seven elements of the PSI. When considered as an overall model, six of the seven framework elements were retained. Internal consistency for each subscale was acceptable, and acceptable performance validity was demonstrated when the subscales were contrasted with middle-range program results. These findings are discussed with regard to next steps in the conceptualization and measurement of program sustainability, as well as implications for planning and implementing communitybased programs for families. C ommunity-based programs are important in the service delivery system in many communities; yet there is a lack of knowledge about how programs are sustained (Lerner, 1995), including inadequate systematic conceptualization and associated measurement of sustainability. Funding providers and the professionals who receive their funds are obligated to work toward sustaining programs. The poignancy of this obligation was expressed by a service provider who said,We have a responsibility to our program recipients; they've had so many losses in their lives and for us to come in for a year or two or three and give them hope, only to have the program go away, we've just caused another loss and a further loss of hope in their lives. (Akerlund, 2000, p. 353) Our purpose in this article is to present a community-based program sustainability conceptual model and a multifactor measure that corresponds to the model. Toward a Theory of Program SustainabilityThere are three dimensions in our conceptual framework logic model: elements associated with sustainability, middlerange program results, and an ultimate result of the program being sustained (see Figure 1). We assume that sustainability elements lead to desired middle-range program results and that these desired results increase the chances of a program being sustained (ultimate result). Sustainability elements also may be related directly to the ultimate result of a program being sustained. We examine linkages between sustainability elements and selected middle-range program results in the course of discussing the Program Sustainability Index (PSI), a measure of the sustainability elements.

Community Based Programs Sustainability. A Multidimensional Analysis of Sustainability Factors

“…In a very broad way, sustainability is defined as "whether or not something continues to work over time" [27]. Other approaches are more detailed, with some scholars considering sustainability as addressing the program continuity in its entirety, while others addressed continuity of specific program components [26], improvement of community capacity, programs institutionalisation [19] or the capacity of the program to continuously respond to community issues [28]. These divergent definitions attest that definitional consensus has not been made, and congruent sustainability factors are considered by various scholars or practitioners.…”

“…Unfortunately, a comprehensive overview of community based program sustainability factors does not exist [28,46,47] [18,50].…”

Modèles socio-écologiques : renforcement de la recherche interventionnelle dans le contrôle du tabac

“…Les explorations des modèles socio-écologiques ont ajouté une concentration sur les niveaux d'intervention multiples pour la promotion de la santé (Edwards et coll., 2004 ;Hancock, 1993). Quoique nous sachions maintenant que de nombreuses interventions visant des secteurs et des niveaux multiples ont de fortes chances de créer un changement durable (Edwards et coll., 2004 ;Crozier Kegler et Miner, 2004 ;Mancini et Marek, 2004), il reste encore beaucoup à apprendre sur les déterminants de la santé et les stratégies connexes cruciales pour les environnements qui promeuvent la santé publique.…”

Evaluating the Sustainability of Community-Based Long-Term Care Programmes: A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach

“…However, its inherited bias is that the research design was based on relatively weak self-reports, as the informants who were the key person in the involved projects would lead to the rating being inflated. Mancini and Marek [15] constructed a framework to evaluate community-based programme sustainability with seven major elements including a 29-item Program Sustainability Index (PSI). However, the interplay of each sustainability element showed that some precede other factors, since they put all the indicators in an equivalent relationship.…”

“…Staff involvement and integration: Include the committed, qualified staff in programme design, implementation, evaluation and decision making [15]. (C23) 4.…”