Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Taking Your SDFSC Program and Evaluation to the Next Level
with presenters Christina Borbely, Ph.D. and Kerrilyn Scott- Nakai

Workshop Description
What comes next? Safe and Drug-Free School and Community programs are looking ahead and asking this question. To date, logic models are in place, services implemented, and evaluation plans in action. These are the basic mechanics of successful programming. With the wheels in motion and programs on course, the next step is to determine how far to go. Shift into high gear! This workshop is designed to support local SDSFC program staff in advancing the sophistication of their program and evaluation designs. Options for progressive program design and increased evaluation rigor, as well as opportunities for recognition and credentials within the field will be highlighted. This capacity building workshop is designed to develop your ability to initiate steps toward and sustain the advancement of your SDFSC project. The focus includes theoretical and practical information and skill sets relevant for developing a more sophisticated program.

General guidelines and strategies for program advancement will be presented and will include
detailed discussion regarding the following areas:
     • Refining program and evaluation designs and methodology (with an emphasis on creating
       stronger links to science-based programming and increased evaluation rigor)
     • Enhancing locally developed program materials (i.e. replication manuals, chronicling   
       activities into more coherent curricula packages, program training materials, and evaluation
       tools)
     • Identifying opportunities for program replication and expansion
     • Creating action plans for applying for awards and recognition (i.e. the service to science
       academy, exemplary program status, and being published in peer review journals)

Ultimately, these topics are aimed at supporting local SDFSC projects that are striving to exceed in program excellence. Please come prepared to discuss specific goals and challenges, as this will aid us to better support your requests and answer your questions. Please bring copies of your program logic model and evaluation plan.

About the Facilitators
Christina Borbely, Ph.D. Christina is a research consultant at CARS providing technical assistance to California’s Safe and Drug Free Schools & Communities grantees. Also a member of the EMT team, Christina coordinates program evaluations for El Dorado County Office of Education and San Francisco Big Brothers Big Sisters. Prior to joining EMT/CARS, Christina was a member of the research staff at Columbia University’s National Center for Children and Families. Her work in the field of youth development and prevention programs has been presented at national conferences and published in academic journals. Christina has extensive knowledge and experience in program evaluation and improving service delivery through identification of factors that impact today’s young people. She is also involved as a volunteer in providing mentoring and developmental support to youth in underserved populations. Christina received her doctoral degree in developmental psychology, with a focus on children and adolescents, from Columbia University (2004).

Kerrilyn Scott is currently the Project Director for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Technical Assistance Project. She has over 13 years of progressive experience conducting research and program evaluation projects focusing on ATOD and violence prevention programming for youth and their families. Before overseeing the SDFSC Technical Assistance Project, Ms. Scott was the Project Director for a number of evaluation projects including: The California Friday Night Live Mentoring Project (involved 25 counties and approximately 200 school sites); the Friday Night Live, California Youth Council; and the Orange County On Track, Tobacco Free Communities Project. Additional positions have included: Field Coordinator for Project Youth Connect (a three-year federally (CSAP) funded cross-site project which investigated the impact of mentoring for high risk youth), Project/Training Coordinator for the School/Law Enforcement Cadre Annual School Safety and Violence Prevention Training Event (Sponsored by the California Department of Education and
the Attorney General’s office), and Training Coordinator for the Project: Youth Connect National
Mentor Training Conference (Sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention). Before joining EMT, Ms. Scott conducted school safety research as a consultant for the Florida Safe and Drug Free Schools Program and through her involvement on the Florida Safe Learning Environmental Data Project.