YHSC Assessment YE 6-30-09

YHSC Participant Assessment Findings

1,124 students participated in the YHSC program during July 1,2008 to June 30,2009. YHSC students completed 30,308 hours of volunteer service/service learning projects at our partner volunteer sites. Through the national network of AHECs the YHSC operates at 60 AHECs in 20 states across the nation. 71 students have been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of completing 100+ hours of volunteer service in a 12 month time period.

All participants were asked to complete a pre and post assessment of the YHSC program. The participant assessments occur electronically through our YHSC website. The analysis below represents data for participants that completed both pre and post completion assessments. 387 participants completed both pre and post assessments (34%).

Pre and post assessments revealed changes in YHSC participant behaviors and attitudes as a result of participation in the program:

 On the pre assessment 73% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they know what skills are needed for their careers while 26% disagreed.” On the post assessment 90% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they know what skills are needed for their careers while 10% disagreed.”
 On the pre assessment 13% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they want to work in a career that involves healthcare while 86% “disagreed.” On the post assessment 90% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they want to work in a career that involves healthcare while 10% “disagreed.”
 On the pre assessment 91% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they can make a difference in their community by getting involved while 7% “disagreed.” On the post assessment 97% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” they can make a difference in their community by getting involved while 3% “disagreed.”
Post assessments also revealed the following:
 94% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” the YHSC made them feel more confident about themselves. 6% “disagreed.”
 81% of students reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that as a result of participation in the YHSC they are doing better in school. 19% “disagreed.”

Participant Tracking
The YHSC Helix database Alumni Function can track student information including college, major of study and employment.

Of the 178 YHSC participants who graduated high school in 2009, 44 students (25%) indicated that they are studying a health career in college.

To improve the quality and quantity of data the YHSC program buildings an on-line communication pattern with members while they participate in the program and will continue to use on-line communication to track students as the leave high school and cease their direct participation in YHSC.


YHSC Partner Assessment Findings

Students completed volunteer service and service learning projects at the 219 partner sites. Partner assessments were administered to partners across national sites in May 2009 to assess their experience as an YHSC volunteer and/or Service Learning site. Sixty three (63) post assessments were returned to Northwestern Connecticut AHEC in June 2009, a 29% response rate.

Based on post assessment survey responses, the project met or exceeded the performance measure: 80% of engaged community partners feel their participation in the YHSC provided them with valuable services. Specifically:

 92% of partners reported working with YHSC students outweighed any burdens it may have added to their workload. 1% reported they “did not know.
 87% of partners reported their participation in the YHSC program had valuable social benefits for their organization. 3% stated they “did not know” and 3% “disagreed.”
 84% of partners reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” the target population benefited from YHSC student activities. 6% reported they “did not know.”
 65% of partners reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” the target population produced economic benefits for their organization. 17% reported they “did not know” and 9% “disagreed.”

Partners ranked the impact the following statements had on their agency (in order of importance with 1 being most important and 7 being least important). Results reveal the YHSC students brought new energy to the agency as the leading impact of the YHSC program.

Rank as Impact to my Agency Statement about Youth Health Service Corps Involvement
2.8 The students brought new energy to the agency
3.3 Improved services for clients
3.8 Increased our access to AHEC/community resources
3.8 Raised our public profile because of AHEC involvement
4.1 Facilitated networking with other community agencies
4.2 Increased our awareness of organizational operations
4.4 Saved us money because of the additional help

YHSC Update "Youth Leader" Model

The YHSC program has under gone a transition to better align the program with the principals of quality serivce learning. While the YHSC program always had a service learning component, the new "Youth Leader" model features service learning standards to better ensure that YHSC members have a quality service learning experience. It is my beleif that engaging students in a quality service learning experience will have the greatest impact on YHSC participants and consequently on AHEC's mission of recruiting under represented students into the health professions.

Part of the program revision includes a revision of the YHSC curriculum. We are now employing a "Volunteer Training" that replaces the 9 module/ 3 tier format. Content from the original 9 modules has been "tighten up" and will be presented as one comprehensive training. This streamlines the training process (1 training vs. 3 trainings) and gets the students engaged in the "action" of service more efficiently. Students sign-up for the YHSC because they are excited about serving their communities. The YHSC has been revised to capitalize on this enthusiasm and focus more squarely on "service".

The revised YHSC Program is designed to engage students in trimester long service learning projects (fall, spring, and summer). This revision will make the YHSC program more accessible to students through out the year. The trimester format shortens the time horizon of the program. I beleive this shortened more concentrated format will better able students to stay on track and successfully complete the program. If the semester time frame is not a good fit, service learning projects can take place over the school year or calendar year, or any other time frame that makes sense. It is important to note that no matter when the service learning project takes place, it should follow the IPARDCS process of quality service learning.

YHSC Coordinators may still engage YHSC students in independant service opportunities (placing student volunteers at a local community health center, homeless shelter, long-term care facility, etc.). While "independant service" is not a service learning experience, it is still an impactful experience for the student.

Speaking of the summer trimester, I encourage AHECs to do a "Summer of Service" service learning project with a group of YHSC students. President Obama just announced the "Summer of Service" initiative. Between June 26th and September 11th students are challenged to complete service projects that address pressing national issues - including health care. This is a perfect opportunity to feature YHSC students tackling some of our nation's toughest health care issues like Childhood Obesity and Health Disparities.