4 PROCESS PROCESS EVALUATION RESULTS In addition to the assessment of emPOWER based on quantitative data described above, we also used qualitative methods to undertake a process of evaluation. This effort allowed us to assess more holistically the efficacy of various CBO outreach methods, as well as to develop an understanding of the successes and challenges that the CBOs faced throughout the emPOWER process.
■ 4.1. Outreach Methodologies While emPOWER was in early development stages, Liberty Hill recognized that one of the strengths of using various CBOs to reach out to their respective community residents was the CBOs’ preexisting
community-based knowledge, including insights into the best approaches and potential barriers that emPOWER could face. The CBOs also have well-established relationships with many residents and other community groups.6 Therefore, Liberty Hill encouraged each CBO to decide on the most effective outreach strategies for its particular region. CBOs undertook different approaches to conducting emPOWER outreach based on existing community knowledge. The strategies included door-to-door outreach, tabling at community events, recruiting participants at membership meetings, collaborating with school districts to disseminate information
Table 5: CBO methods and results CBO
CBO Primary Method
Approximate Number of Staff Focused on emPOWER
Number of Completed Eligibility Forms
1
Door-to-door
3 full-time, 9 hired as contract workers, worked 20 hours a week on emPOWER (12 staff total)
540
2
Community events/tabling
4 staff in the field, 2 staff once transitioned to follow-up
410
3
Community events/tabling
2 staff (full-time) and help from interns
410
4
Community events/tabling
2 staff (full-time) and help from interns
340
5
Door-to-door
2 staff and 2 community members
320
6
Door-to-door
2 staff, 4 community volunteers
300
7
Community events/tabling (Schools/parent centers)
2 lead staff (full-time), 3 support staff (half-time)
200
8
Community events/tabling
4 staff, none full-time. Hours varied as need varied
130
9
Community events/tabling
2 staff, not full-time. Stopped participating partway through the year
42
Note: Data based on what CBOs reported as their primary outreach methods. 6
We anonymized results from and comments made by individual CBO staff in this report to facilitate candid feedback.
emPOWER: A SCALABLE MODEL FOR IMPROVING COMMUNITY ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA
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