Workshop Session #2: Measuring Diaper Need & Program Impact

.

National Diaper Bank Network2015 Annual Conference

Kelley E. C. Massengale, MPHThe University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Diaper Bank of NC; Durham, NC

  Interview Community Partners who distribute

diaper bank diapers

      Phase

One

   

  Analyze interviews  

   

       Develop two surveys     P

hase

Two

  ↙ ↘  

Survey Community Partners who did not do an interview

  Survey Diaper Recipients

 

Analyze interviews   Analyze surveys

   

         Develop interview guide   P

hase

Three

   

    Interview Diaper Recipients

   

    Analyze interviews

Benefits to CBOs of Distributing Diapers

• Positive financial impact• Increased communication• Increased program retention• Increased critical thinking skills for clients• Increased connections to other resources

-(Massengale, Erausquin, & Old, 2015)

As a result of not having enough diapers…

Children •Wore diapers longer than usual • Experienced more diaper rashes•Were less happy than usual •Could not attend childcare

Parents •Could not attend work or school•Asked others for diapers or money to buy them

How Diapers HelpedChildren • Felt happier •Were healthier •Could attend childcare

Parents • Felt happier •Could spend money on other needs•Could pay a medical or non-medical bill •Could attend work or school

Families Want More Information

• Cloth diapers• Appropriate diaper sizes • Toilet training• How to volunteer at the Diaper Bank

Research Project Timeline2014

• March – Applied for research grant

• June – Notice of grant award

• July – IRB approval• August – Begin Phase One• October – Begin Phase Two

2015

• January – Begin Phase Three• May – Data analysis & Report

writing• June – Share data with Board

of Directors• August – Use data for grant

applications• September – Share data with

community partner; Submit paper to scientific journal

• November – Present data at public health conference

Why Document Outcomes & Impacts?

• Support grant applications • Assess and improve current practices• Documentation for:– Current / future donors– Press releases– Supporters– Policy makers– Community leaders– Future collaborators

Partnerships with Academic Researchers

• Credibility of trained researchers– Data collection & analysis skills

• Confidentiality of researcher who is not diaper bank staff

• Access to analytical software & peer-reviewed literature

• Experience with publication and grant writing

Finding Academic Partners

• College / University Departments of: – Public Health, Social Work, Human Development

& Family Studies, Nursing, Medicine, Health Psychology, Community Psychology, Public Administration

• Look for experience in:– Evaluation– Community-based Research, – Community-based Participatory Research [CBPR]

Thank you!

Kelley E. C. Massengale, MPHPhD Candidate in Community Health Education

Department of Public Health EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro

kemassen@uncg.edu

Data to Collection• How will you use the data you collected?

– Process improvement– Long-term planning– Support grant applications

• What types of data to collect?– Recipient demographics – Individual-level outcomes – Community-level outcomes

• Who to collect data from?– People involved in diaper distribution– Diaper recipient families

• Challenges of data collection (realistic expectations)

Why Research?Anecdotal Evidence

• Informally collected data or stories from diaper recipients, community partners, diaper bank staff and volunteers.

Research Data

• Data collected and analyzed in a systematic manner by trained researchers.

• Study undergoes ethical review before it starts.

• Options for publication and presentation to scientific community.

Research on Diaper Banks

• Raver, C., Letourneau, N., Scott, J., & D’Agostino, H. (2010). Huggies® every little bottom study: Diaper need in the U.S. and Canada. (Report commissioned by Huggies.)

• Smith, M. V., Kruse, A., Weir, A., & Goldblum, J. (2013). Diaper need and its impact on child health. Pediatrics, 132(2), 253-259.

• Porter, S., & Steefel, L. (2015). Diaper need: A change for better health. Pediatric Nursing, 41(3), 143-144.