Evaluation of the Demonstration Support Network Program: Evaluation Plan

Abstract

The Support Networks Program is designed to provide support networks for children and young people with a disability, their parents and siblings. DADHC has funded seven demonstration projects to develop, test and implement flexible and innovative practices that address the needs of children and young people with a disability and their families. These demonstration projects will be established over a three year period (2008-11) across metropolitan, regional and rural settings of NSW.

The purpose of the evaluation is to: • determine how effectively the Demonstration Support Network Program is delivering the intended outcomes • identify the key features of effective support networks and the extent to which each of these features contributes to the effectiveness of the network in relation to the specified target groups for this Program; • identify how the outcomes for families, peers and siblings can be sustained and those features that will enable the support networks to have the capacity to operate beyond the life of the demonstration; and • identify improvements to the current demonstration support network model which would inform future service system development.