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Tribal Victim Assistance Evaluation at Lummi Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe
Program evaluation is an important component that helps everyone from staff, to clients, and governments understand the effectiveness of victim assistance programs. With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), National Institute of Justice an evaluation of two Tribal Victim Assistance (TVA) Programs is being conducted with the Lummi Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe. The USDOJ Office for Victims of Crime funds the TVA programs.
The evaluation employs multiple approaches and methods, such as literature and document reviews, program reviews, data analysis, and surveys with clients, community members, tribal officials, and program staffs from TVA programs, law enforcement, justice, behavioral health, education, and housing. Culturally relevant data instruments are used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The evaluation supports development of culturally appropriate theories, policies, and practices for operating and managing TVA programs, identification of strengths and gaps in service delivery, and effective strategies to address crime victimization problems.
Cultural and scientific integrity are ensured on three levels. First, AIDA is a 100% Indian owned firm that employs Indian researchers. Non-Indian partners possess extensive experience conducting research and evaluation in Indian communities and crime victimization. Second, tribal leadership, staff, and community members from each tribe guide evaluation and research activities through local Evaluation Advisory Committees. Third, Indian research assistants and onsite evaluation coordinators from each Tribe assist with major evaluation and research components. Indian ownership of the evaluation and supplemental research is central to ethical and scientific validity.
Evaluation research subjects include service recipients and community members from each site.The goals are to: 1) establish and develop research partnerships with the participating tribes, 2) implement a culturally appropriate research design; 3), obtain client and community input on TVA programs; 4) data collection analysis and interpretation of findings; and 5) disseminate findings through manuscripts, presentations and information meetings. The final report will include the following: 1) formulated theory and hypothesis, 2) description of evaluation methods, 3) full accounting of evaluation results, findings and conclusions, 4) practical or policy implications of evaluation results, and 5) recommendations for future study.
An evaluation symposium will be conducted in Fall 2007 to share findings and share experiences from the evaluation project.
For more information contact:
Ada Pecos Melton, President
American Indian Development Associates
2401 12th St. NW, Suite 212
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Telephone: (505) 842-1122
Fax: (505) 842-1122
E-mail: info@aidainc.net
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