Our Formula for Impact

This variety of programs is part of our research-informed Formula for Impact, helping members achieve positive outcomes in three priority areas: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. The formula is the vehicle that drives greater outcomes in the lives of youth served. This formula begins with youth who need us most.  We add the Five Key Elements for Youth Development.

1. A safe, positive environment (connected to feelings of emotional and physical safety)
2. Fun and a sense of belonging
3. Supportive relationships, including positive adult connections
4. Opportunities and expectations, especially staff expectations of youth
5. Recognition

To this mix, we add high-yield learning activities, so called because they extend learning by providing opportunities to practice communication skills (reading, writing, speaking); problem-solving skills (math, science, technology); healthy living skills (being mindful of diet and exercise, avoiding risky behaviors); and character and citizenship skills (civics, volunteerism and civility). Then we mix in targeted programs to meet youth needs and interests.

The last ingredient of the Formula is attendance. Research shows that youth who attend the Club more frequently, especially those who attend 104 or more days per year (an average of twice per week), are more likely to achieve positive outcomes, such as avoiding risky behaviors, progressing to the next grade on time and exercising regularly. Therefore, we focus on increasing attendance, program participation and member retention.^[i]

Measuring Youth Achievement

To determine our success at helping youth achieve these three priority outcomes, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta participates in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI). The NYOI system measures the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs in a consistent manner using a common set of research-informed indicators. Through NYOI, we administer NYOI’s National Outcomes Survey annually, which measures the degree to which Club members are achieving the outcomes of Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.

Some NYOI survey questions replicate language used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, allowing for comparisons of Club youth outcomes to state and national averages. The survey also asks members about their perceptions of the Club. Responses allow us to assess how effectively we are implementing the Formula for Impact and delivering an optimal Club Experience to support positive youth development. A sample of the NYOI survey is provided as an attachment to this proposal.

^[i] Arbreton, A.; Bradshaw, M.; Sheldon, J. and Pepper, S. (2009). Making Every Day Count: Boys & Girls Clubs’ Role in Promoting Positive Outcomes for Teens (Philadelphia, Pa.: Public/Private Ventures).

How Do We Stack Up?

2020 National Youth Outcomes Initiative Results

This table captures the latest National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) responses*.  NYOI data is captured anonymously via the Boys & Girls Clubs of America website.  Here the responses are captured in a national database that allows Boys & Girls organizations to search, filter, and compare Club experiences to identify Club strengths and weaknesses.

For the purpose of this case statement, we have compared our Clubs’ survey results with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (all chartered BGC organization, ~4,000 Club sites), and those of the other organizations in Mississippi.  As you can see the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta NYOI results (in gold below) exceed results both BGCA results as well as Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in the State of Mississippi.

These results speak to the quality and efficacy of our overall 2020 Club Experience and program outcomes.  The responses speak for themselves.  While these results are very encouraging it is our goal to utilize these responses to implement a total quality control system, allowing us to improve going forward.  One way we can achieve this is to develop sound, effective partnerships with community organizations and school districts.

*Extensive reports on our data set as well as well as BGCA responses can be provided upon request.