School of Psychology, HMNBS Deakin University An evaluation of the Deakin University – Department of Human Services (Barwon-South Western Region) Partnership

The difference is Deakin University  A snapshot to provide a preliminary evaluation of the partnership  This interim evaluation is Stage 1 of the more formal evaluation which will occur towards the end of the Business Plan Purpose

The difference is Deakin University Literature Review  Partnerships are increasingly recognised as positively impacting on community health (Zakos & Edwards, 2006). However, partnership sustainability can be difficult (Zakos & Edwards). This may be partly due to the need for greater knowledge concerning the managerial and organisational factors which are necessary for partnership effectiveness (Einbinder, Robertson, Garcia & Patti, 2000). This suggests that there is a need for greater evaluation of partnerships to uncover such factors.

The difference is Deakin University Literature Review  Research suggests that partnership evaluation should involve an assessment of whether key targets have been reached, but this is difficult to attribute solely to the work of the partnership (Dowling, Powell & Glendinning, 2004). Therefore, research on partnership evaluation tends to focus on the internal functioning of partnerships (Lasker, Weiss & Miller, 2001; Zakos & Edwards, 2006).

The difference is Deakin University The Evaluation -methodology StrategiesBeacon Projects Farmers and Rural Health Conference Workforce Development Research Corio-Norlane Projects Other Projects Teaching and Workforce Development TBC Research and Evidence- Based Practice TBC Health and Wellbeing TBC Public Health Forums TBC

The difference is Deakin University Methodology- surveys  2 surveys  Survey 1 – Strategic Advisory Group Co-Chairs  Survey 2 – All Partnership members

The difference is Deakin University Survey 1- Advisory Group Co-Chairs  Mapping Exercise (VicHealth Partnerships Analysis Tool: Activity 2) Mapping Example: Youth Housing Agency Community Health Service (Lead Agency) State Youth Department Secondary College LEGEND Nature of relationships between partners: Networking..…... Coordinating Cooperating Collaborating

The difference is Deakin University Survey 2- all Partnership members  Demographics  Part B – Purpose of the partnership (VicHealth Partnerships Analysis Tool: Activity 1)  Part C – Successful Partnership Checklist (VicHealth Partnerships Analysis Tool: Activity 3)  Part D – Current Partnership Success (Nuffield Institute for Health Partnership Assessment Tool)  Part E – Resource-use Template – 3 months (The University of Melbourne)  Part F – Several questions formulated based on gaps between theory and current tools

The difference is Deakin University Outputs  Evaluation Report  Recommendations  E.g. An evaluation plan involving students on placement to prospectively evaluate the achievement of key priorities. Suggestions?