HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES: An Impact Statement Overview

Let s Get It Started! Which type of doughnut is your favorite? HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES: An Impact Statement Overview Julie Huetteman Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Purdue Extension Nick Rogers Communications Coordinator, Purdue Extension Good Morning! Thank you for joining us. We will use polls during today s session. Today s Presenters Julie Huetteman Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Purdue Extension Nick Rogers Communications Coordinator, Purdue Extension Please go online or text to access. Poll Time! Poll Time! What are the 3 narrative parts of an impact statement? Which is a medium term outcome? 1

Purdue Extension s Mission Enhance Indiana communities Share Purdue experts research based information, education to meet county needs Strengthen future leaders, agricultural industries, communities and regional economies of all types, and the health & happiness of residents statewide It s getting better all the time. Purdue Extension Strategic Initiatives Forged from 2015 Community Forums Two overarching themes: Education for All Ages Enhancing Quality of Life From feedback: Two categories, 10 initiatives Children, Youth, and Family Community, Economy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Extension programs should address these Purdue Extension Strategic Initiatives: Children, Youth, and Family Strengthening Families Promoting Healthy Living Purdue Extension Strategic Initiatives: Children, Youth, and Family Building Effective Parenting Skills Supporting Career Preparation Positive communication Physical wellness Encourage family togetherness Proper nutrition Family engagement / stability Mental wellbeing Economics to support themselves Importance of hygiene Youth responsibility / work ethic Vocational skill preparation Communication toward goals Education on how to acquire a job Childcare and nutrition budgeting Entrepreneurship value / education Effective role modeling Facilitate & leverage education $$ Purdue Extension Strategic Initiatives: Children, Youth, and Family Enhancing Positive Life Skills Strategic Initiatives: Community, Economy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Strengthening Workforce, Business, and Economic Development Fostering Responsible Land Use and Conservation of Resources Facilitate conflict resolution Respect and a strong work ethic The importance of leadership and decision making Role modeling and mentoring Convey continuum of economic system Enhance job readiness skills Occupational training / talent retention Local development / entrepreneurship Zoning regulation education Awareness of natural resources, their relation to conservation Soil health / water resource programs 2

Strategic Initiatives: Community, Economy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Expanding Agriculture Related Opportunities Creating Quality Communities Strategic Initiatives: Community, Economy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Increasing Civic Participation and Local Government Education Programs to improve public perception of agriculture Expand farm succession planning effort Diversified ag (sustainability, new crops, urban ag, local foods, small farms, etc.) Programs to emphasize importance of quality places Necessary infrastructure for quality places (e.g., trails, recreation, healthcare, roads, policy) Strong partnerships to advance civic engagement, community pride, community collaboration, and leadership development Educational programs addressing property taxes, government regulations, and government finances Gathering Strong Data To Share What is your Extension program? Does it fit one or more initiative? Which initiative(s) does it fit? Logic Model Inputs and Outputs http://www.uwex.edu/ces/lmcourse/pdfs/lm_full.pdf http://www.uwex.edu/ces/lmcourse/pdfs/lm_full.pdf 3

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/lmcourse/pdfs/lm_full.pdf Outcomes and Impacts 4 H Citizenship Healthy Living Science Universal ANR Purdue Extension Logic Models HHS Family Resource Management Health Foods and Nutrition Human Development Diversified Farming and Food Systems Field Crops Livestock Farm and Agribusiness Management Natural Resources Horticulture Food and Farm Safety / Security https://intranet.extension.purdue.edu/ metrics/sitepages/home.aspx CD Community and Organizational Planning Economic and Business Development Leadership and Civic Engagement Local Government Education Quality Places Team-Statewide-Signature Logic Models HHS Be Heart Smart Captain Cash Community Health Coalitions Parenting Counts CD 4 H Funded Science Projects On Local Government Beginner s Guide to Grant Writing https://intranet.extension.purdue.edu/ metrics/sitepages/home.aspx ANR Integrated Pest Management Indiana Farm Succession Planning Master Cattleman Master Gardener Growing with Leadership Rainscaping Purdue Extension Examples 4 H SCIENCE (Supporting Career Preparation) Short Term: Youth improve their science skills (scientific methods) and knowledge (content areas). Medium Term: Youth apply science learning to contexts outside 4 H (e.g., school classes, science fairs, invention contests, etc.). Long Term: The pool of youth pursuing education and careers in science related fields increases in number and diversity. ANR DFFS (Expanding Ag Related Opportunities) Short Term: There is an increase in knowledge about the many technical areas for diversified farming success. Medium Term: A higher number of producers indicates adoption of recommended practices for diversified ag production and local food sales. Long Term: Great jobs are created in the distribution, storage, marketing, sales, and production of local foods. Purdue Extension Examples CD ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT (Increasing Civic Participation and Local Government Education) Short Term: Participants increase their understanding of local government structure. Medium Term: Community members indicate participation in local government through serving on boards, contacting elected officials, or attending public meetings. Long Term: Communities increase civic engagement from a broad base of citizens. Is it an Outcome? Yes or No? 4 H Middle school youth were trained to teach science to elementary school children. ANR Purdue Extension will host an annual conference on small farms. HHS BE HEART SMART (Promoting Healthy Living) Short Term: Participants increase their knowledge of heart health risk factors. Medium Term: Participants report they are monitoring controllable risk factors for heart disease. Long Term: The incidence of heart disease decreases in Indiana. CD Participants take on new community leadership roles and opportunities. HHS Adults in Indiana increased their knowledge of heart disease. 4

Poll Time! What Are the Outcomes for YOUR Extension Program? Short Term Medium Term Long Term Mapping Evaluation to Outcomes Formative Process Evaluation During implementation / delivery Focus on inputs / outputs Actual / reality vs. planned Addresses the question WHAT? Summative Outcome / Impact Evaluation Change resulting from program Focus on results / outcomes Perspective from recipients Addresses the question SO WHAT? Getting to your evaluation questions Short-Term 1. True / False Multiple Choice Open Ended Indicate your level of knowledge of these issues: BEFORE this workshop AFTER this workshop 2. JJJJJJ None A Little Some A lot None A Little Some A Lot 3. KKKK None A Little Some A lot None A Little Some A Lot As a result of this program / event / activity, I learned about: 4. AAA None A Little Some A lot 5. BBB None A Little Some A lot 6. Did you learn something new today? No Not sure Yes If yes, what did you learn? Pre / Post; Reflective Post / Pre; Post only Quantitative & Qualitative 7. As a result of attending today s workshop, what actions do you intend to take in the next three months? (Check all that apply) MMM NNN Other Medium-Term Connection to program: It has been six months since event: OR Since you attended program three months ago: OR If you attended last year s meeting: 1. What actions have you taken? (check all that apply) 111 222 Other Have you completed: 2. RRRRR No In process Yes 3. SSSSSS No In process Yes 4. Have you received grant funds since attending program? No Not sure Yes If yes, what was the amount? $ Follow up Quantitative & Qualitative 5

Long-Term Connection to program: Those with MG certification Participants in series or ongoing program 1. Self monitoring their actions In which years did you use a cover crop? 2015 2016 2017 2. What results did you experience from using cover crops? RRR SSS Other 3. What challenges did you experience with using cover crops? MMM NNN Other Other data / records: Indiana acres in cover crops Follow up, Longitudinal, Records Quantitative & Qualitative Planning Your Evaluation How can you best capture change that occurs? Here are two ideas: STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT Include in all stages plan, implement, analyze BASELINE Ask questions before the program starts Evaluation Methods: Beyond Surveys Focus Groups or Interviews Participant Records Observation Checklists or Skill Assessments External Records Census Economic Health Police Agriculture Your Outcomes and Your Questions OUTCOMES QUESTIONS ST (increase knowledge)??? MT (adopt a practice)??? LT (reduce / increase incidence)??? Workshops help family get started on farm succession plan extension.purdue.edu/purdue-success Classes help participants monitor heart disease risk factors, make simple changes to improve heart health 6

TAKE A BREAK! Writing Effective Impact Statements This is how we do it. Seven Elements of a Good Story Impact: Real examples of real people Timeliness: Connect your story to something Proximity: Local is always, always a priority Conflict: Show struggle but remain tasteful Human Interest: Is there emotional impact? Prominence: Share applicably prominent names Uniqueness: Why should audiences care? Impact Statements Narrative or story that focuses on results Describes: Issue / Problem Research or Extension Program Key Findings Highlights how things have changed because of a research project or Extension program An Impact Statement IS IS NOT Brief Free from jargon and acronyms Focused on accomplishments, discoveries, outcomes, impacts Sharing about research or Extension A report or marketing piece A thesis or dissertation A technical paper Your résumé or CV Your annual activities narrative All about you Written in first person A published article or citation 7

IMPACT STATEMENT Title Team Issue (who cares and why) ISSUE (who cares & why) WHAT HAS BEEN DONE RESULTS What has been done Results Funding http://www.uwex.edu/ces/lmcourse/pdfs/lm_full.pdf Other Examples & Resources Program helping improve city s public spaces, quality of life Purdue Extension National Fellow Land Grant Institutions extension.purdue.edu/purdue-success 4-H NFPA Fluid Power Challenge Practicing with IM Professor s Impact Statements Where do you see an opportunity for improvement? 8

Poll Time! Question What gaps do you see in this impact statement? Have you learned anything about writing impact statements today that you can apply to your Extension program? All the Ways to Consider Reach Program area Extension trains the trainers in food safety practices Demographics Geography Volunteers cultivate skills for the entire community What Do We Do With Impact Statements? 9

How Do We Choose Content? Strong alignment with strategic initiatives Meaningful data Powerful, personal stories Engaging photos / videos Demographic, program area, geographic diversity Stories housed on Purdue Extension Success Stories website Stories also often used in the Annual Report available in print and digital forms Data chunk approach carried over to report design Annual report also features info on emerging stories if they have strong data potential / processes Purdue Extension Success Stories App 10

Purdue Extension Success Stories App Ideal for impromptu or time critical conversations Free download for Apple / Android Gets quick info to decisionmakers on many topics Quick, Powerful Indicators of Success Information broken into 4 criteria Efforts Impact Numbers Future Concise copy, intuitive icons, clean design keep app simple Updated about every six months Additional Assets at Your Fingertips Easy, one touch access to photos, videos, feature stories on stakeholders and researchers You can email stories from within the app Main App Audiences Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Internal Stakeholders Extension Educators & Specialists Extension / College Administrators External Stakeholders Community Partners Elected Officials Extension Boards Decision Makers Social media traction for stories through #PurdueSuccess How Do Others Use These Stories? THEY HELP! 11

What is PCARET? Purdue branch of national CARET Grassroots volunteers supporting & promoting land grant university agriculture research, Extension, and teaching Purdue Ag / Extension s main stakeholder liaison to legislators / decision makers John Baugh Director of Ag Services Regulations Advocates on behalf of all areas of Purdue Agriculture with members of Indiana General Assembly Uses your success stories to illustrate great work Purdue Extension is doing Jason Henderson Director of Purdue Extension / Associate Dean Face of Extension on campus (new partnerships) and statewide agriculture organizations Regularly uses data slides with success stories in talks / presentations The Dean s Office Karen Plaut, Interim Dean of Agriculture Karen s communications professionals work with John, others on success stories to share with decision makers. Shares work with college colleagues in newsletters Agricultural Communications (AgComm) Maureen Manier, Department Head Can create feature stories for trade pubs, national media based on your success stories Will think beyond news release for targeted audiences as needed USDA / NIFA Reports Fresh from the Field weekly success story newsletter at https://nifa.usda.gov/ fresh field NIFA issues its own annual impact report, for which it seeks success stories 12

Office of Engagement / Office of President Steve Abel, Associate Provost for Engagement Each office gets regular Extension updates, is a strong ambassador Mitch Daniels, President How Can YOU Tell Your Story? Department websites (your communicators) Social media (your own / your department s) Important sites appropriate to your discipline Poll Time! Get Your Work in the Limelight Are you using your Department s social media to promote your Extension Programs? Align with strategic initiatives Strong data from the get go Write an effective impact statement Lead us toward a great story to tell Outcomes & Impact Statements in Digital Measures www.digitalmeasures.com/login/purdue/faculty Entering Data in Digital Measures Role in Extension Workshops Extension publications Indiana Hort Congress Indiana Green Expo Fort Wayne Farm Show Certified Crop Advisors Forest Management for Private Woodland Owner / Indiana Tree Farm Landowners Tour Extension Large Events Smith Lever funding Top Farmer Farm Management Tour Crop Management Workshop Women in Ag Conference Small Farms Conference Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium DTC 13

Entering Data in Digital Measures Research & Extension Research & Extension Research & Extension Extension Impact Statements Extension Impact Statements 14

Extension Learning Events Extension Other Activities Extension Summary Four screens: 1. USDA Research, Extension, and Programmatic Impacts 2. Learning Events 3. Other Activities 4. Impact Statements Soil Health Private Applicator Recertification Program Monitor / Track Data Programs Attendees Farmer Records Certifications Report Outcomes in Digital Measures Small Farms Conference 15

Digital Measures for Annual Activity Review Pilot departments Entering 2017 CV DM reports Annual Activity Table Annual Activity Narrative Teaching Students Publications CITATION LISTING Annual Activity Table Quantitative Data Sponsored Programs Extension Awards, Patents, Service Extension Publications Ed Store Extension Workshops / Learning Events Extension Direct Contacts Impact Statements Digital Measures www.digitalmeasures.com/login/purdue/faculty Annual Activity Narratives Need help? Email DMhelp@lists.purdue.edu You will also find that instructions are embedded on Digital Measures screens and in help tips ANY QUESTIONS? Poll Time! What are the 3 narrative parts of an impact statement? 16

Poll Time! SO LONG! FAREWELL! Which is a medium term outcome? 17