Citation

Franzen S, Morrel-Samuels S, Reischl TM, Zimmerman MA. J. Prev. Interv. Community 2009; 37(4): 289-301.

Affiliation

University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. sfranzen@umich.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10852350903196290

PMID

19830624

Abstract

This study illustrates the utility of process evaluation methods for improving a new violence prevention program, Youth Empowerment Solutions for Peaceful Communities (YES). The YES program empowered young adolescents to plan and complete community improvement projects with neighborhood adult advocates. The process evaluation methods included questionnaires and focus groups with students and interviews with neighborhood advocates. Process evaluation results guided program improvements for the second year. The process evaluation results after the second program year suggested that the program improvements were associated with higher student ratings of program staff and neighborhood advocates. The students and neighborhood advocates reported increased positive experiences after the second program year, but continued to note the challenges of working inter-generationally on community improvement projects.

Language: en