05/19/11 - Institute unveils 2009-2010 annual evaluation report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2011
Contact: Jan Hollingsworth
jan.hollingsworth@siskin.org
423.648.1730

Siskin Children’s Institute unveils 2009-2010 annual evaluation report

Data-driven methods help the Institute measure program effectiveness and plan for the future

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Siskin Children’s Institute has a strong 60 year history of making life better for those in need. Historically, its impact was measured through anecdotal information gleaned informally from those who were recipients of services.

Today, it is imperative for nonprofit organizations to have quantifiable data to demonstrate mission achievement, improve programs and confirm worthiness of donor and community goodwill and financial support. Thus, in 2006, Institute leaders took steps to implement a process to collect and analyze data that could be summarized into an annual evaluation report.

This step was timely. The Institute has experienced tremendous growth in its programs and services in recent years. In 2008, the Institute established a robust research department with doctorate-level researchers conducting evidenced-based studies in early childhood development and special education. In 2009, the Institute opened a second Early Learning Center and a subspecialty developmental behavioral pediatric center. Last year, the Institute adopted the Engagement Classroom Model at both Early Learning Centers, started a model autism program and began offering home visiting support to more than 150 families in a 10 county area.

“As our programs and services continue to grow in size and complexity, we must have reliable information from which to plan, execute and measure our work,” said Institute President and CEO Jerry Jensen. “A modern organization must demonstrate its merit through data-driven methods.”

The Institute recently unveiled its second evaluation report, covering the 2009-2010 fiscal year. To create the annual evaluation, a vast volume of data from dozens of sources is collected, organized and analyzed with detailed input from all Institute departments and programs. The report outlines specific goals and key findings that pertain to those goals in three overarching categories: impact with children, families and professionals.

The report revealed many positive outcomes. For example, the Center for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics treated 614 children from 122 communities in six states, denoting significant progress toward the goal of meeting the healthcare needs of children with special needs in our region. An exceeding value of the report also is revealed in its ability to highlight areas for refinement, improvement and change within programs and services.

“The mechanics behind our outcomes program continues to evolve,” Ward Petty, Institute board chair, said. “As we hone our measurement methods, we will find ourselves more and more able to do real-time analysis and respond with timely strategic changes as needed.”

For more details about Siskin Children’s Institute’s 2009-2010 evaluation report, visit www.siskin.org/impact.

About Siskin Children’s Institute
Siskin Children's Institute makes life better for children with special needs and their families. The non-profit organization achieves its mission locally and nationally through four areas of focus: education, outreach, health care and research. The Institute provides early childhood education where children with and without disabilities learn together; family support and professional development programs; developmental behavioral pediatric health care; and innovative research in early childhood development and special education. For more information about Siskin Children's Institute, visit www.siskin.org.