Identifying factors that influence quality tribal programs
Abstract
Community service has always been integral to the Native American way of life. With funding provided by AmeriCorps grants, various tribal programs have implemented community-service based programs in the recent past. In the National Service Fellows report, AmeriCorps Tribal Programs: Program Quality and Indicators, (1997-1998) Brian King identifies program factors that can lead to long-term success.Issue
Determining program factors that influence positive outcomes for tribal programs.Action
According to National Service Fellow Brian King, the following factors influence quality in tribal programs:
1. Previous administrative/programmatic work experience of director
Findings: Higher quality programs employed directors who had a previous three years or less of programmatic/administrative/grant-related experience before assuming the director position.
Recommendations: Tribal programs should not be overly concerned about hiring a director with minimal experience, because previous experience does not necessarily translate into better preparation, due in large part to the uniqueness of AmeriCorps grants. Additionally, programs should be sure that experienced directors are aware of the differences between AmeriCorps grants and previous federal grants they may have had the experience of administering, and they need to be willing to adapt to these differences.
2. Number of critical needs addressed by grant
Findings: Programs that focused on two areas of critical need were of higher quality than those programs that focused on three or four areas.
Recommendations: Although there may be need in a variety of areas, directors should strive to maintain program focus, and may benefit from arranging meetings with key tribal agencies, in order to educate them on the purpose and focus of their program objectives. Directors should also inform community members via public forums. This may lessen the demands placed on the program from other tribal agencies and community members, and allow the program to maintain focus.
3. Director turnover
Findings: Programs that had experienced one turnover of the director position were of slightly higher quality than those programs that had zero turnover.
Recommendations: Programs should attempt to continue to maintain low turnover rates. The Corporation and programs can assist in training a new director if a turnover should occur.
4. Average number of training and technical assistance (T/TA) requests per year
Findings: Programs that requested T/TA an average of two or more times per year were of higher quality than programs that requested T/TA less than one time per year.
Recommendations: More culturally relevant T/TA providers are needed. Extra efforts will have to be made by programs and providers in order to adjust their training and technical assistance to meet the needs of the cultural community that the program is operating in.
5. Average number of times per year tribal government interfered with program's operation
Findings:Programs of higher quality reported no tribal governmental interference, whereas lower quality programs reported tribal government interference with progress in their primary objective activity between one to three times a year.
Recommendations:Tribal councils need to be informed that all AmeriCorps programs submit objectives and need to complete those program objectives in an efficient manner, free from delay or suspension of activities. In addition, councils need to be aware of what type of activities may be inappropriate for programs to engage in. It would be advantageous for directors to meet with their council to explain the programmatic requirements of the grant early on. This is not to imply that the influence of tribal councils is negative, for they can be an enormous source of financial and in-kind contributions, acknowledgment of program success, and assistance in helping programs meet objectives.
Trends identified in the data, that may be indicative of program quality as more programs are evaluated in the future, include:
- Staff turnover ratio per number of funded positions
Findings: As programs approach a staff turnover ratio nearing 50 percent, program quality decreases.
Recommendations: Programs who are proactive in their approach with their personnel departments had more success in filling positions quickly and with staff that fit well with the organization. Providing training and a good working atmosphere in order to keep from having a high staff turnover ratio, can prevent having to address replacing staff members which may lead to achieving and maintaining program quality.
Average number of times per year a program utilized a program consultant
Findings: Programs that utilized the services of a program consultant three or more times a year may benefit in increased program quality.
Recommendations: Program consultants usually address issues such as strategic planning, goal setting, defining objectives, and staff training.
Level of support that programs report they receive from their tribal government
Findings: Programs that appeared to be of higher quality reported a high level of support from their tribal council.
Recommendations: Support from tribal council is defined as firm matching commitments and lack of interference.
- Primary source of match
- Number of reporting requirements
- Educational level of director
- Average educational level of staff
- Previous administrative experience of staff
- Previous years of experience program director has working for tribe
- Percentage of time results of T/TA was used by program
- Number of staff trainings per year
Context
Methodology for this National Service Fellows study included developing a list of 21 independent factors that were thought to contribute to individual program success. Feedback was gathered from AmeriCorps Tribal program directors, CNCS program and financial officers, content advisors and statisticians. A 20-point quality index tool was then developed in order to rate the overall quality of each tribal program.
Utilizing the list of factors and the quality index tool, data was collected on funded AmeriCorps Tribal programs. Each program director was interviewed in order to collect data on the various factors present in each program. Once all the data and assessments had been conducted, a statistical test utilizing a social sciences statistical software program was used to analyze the results.
Citation
King, Brian. AmeriCorps Tribal Programs: Program Quality and Indicators. Washington, DC: Corporation for National and Community Service, 1997-1998.Outcome
Profiles of AmeriCorps tribal programs that have been successful demonstrate specific key factors. Less quality programs may not deal as effectively with issues of sovereignty, the intricacies of tribal and federal governments, bureaucracy, and administration. Determining specific factors that influence program quality aids in identifying — and ultimately overcoming — concrete challenges that exist for tribal programs.Posted On
February 15, 2005Resources
From The Resource Center library:AmeriCorps Tribal Programs: Program Quality and Indicators
Item number: R1175