LACE: Local Agricultural Community Exchange

I am currently conducting a 3-year evaluation of process and outcome measures to determine best practices, the impact of services, and the development of a replicable model. Evaluation methods include surveys and focus groups with stakeholders.

The evaluation of the LACE project focuses on both process and outcome methods. The overall evaluation focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of the program's development and interventions, such as improvements to the LACE space and the presence of CVCAC staff on-site at the LACE location to provide services for entrepreneurs. The evaluation also examines strategies to recruit, assess, and retain vendors, quality of services provided including training and technical assistance, and client outcomes such as increased sales, earned income and job creation. These outcomes are anticipated to result from connecting local producers and entrepreneurs to a viable market. The outcome evaluation provides an assessment of project results as measured by collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied in the project. The outcome evaluation will produce and interpret findings related to whether the interventions produced desirable changes and their potential for being replicated, answering the question of whether or not the program worked.

The process evaluation component is an ongoing examination of the implementation of the LACE investment and project, including collaboration among project partners. The results of the process component are intended to be a management tool to facilitate continuous project improvement. In documenting project development, the process evaluation also serves to help staff identify challenges or barriers, strategies to resolve them and provide recommendations for future implementation. The process and outcome evaluations will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as telephone and intercept surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and review of database information.

Developing a Program Success Theory Model: A case study of microenterprise development in Vermont.

I recently presented a workshop on my Master's thesis work, "Developing a program success theory model: A case study of microenterprise development in Vermont", at the 2007 annual conference of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) on May 16, 2007 in Kansas City, MO.

This workshop reviewed my Master's thesis study conducted at the University of Vermont on factors that lead to client success in microenterprise development (MED) programs. A model of program success theory, including the relationships between client characteristics, program activities, interim outcomes, and impacts were examined through a path regression analysis of data from the Vermont Micro Business Development Program. Workshop attendees participated in an open dialog about the results of this study and provided insight on recommendations for program improvement and future study.

AEO is the national association of community-based organizations that provide entrepreneurial education, access to capital, and support to aspiring and active low-income entrepreneurs. AEO provides its members with a forum, information, and a voice to promote enterprise opportunity for people and communities with limited resources.

Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success.

Through a path regression analysis of data from the Vermont Micro Business Development Program, this study examines the relationships between client characteristics, program activities, interim outcomes, and impacts, to understand factors that lead to and mediate client success in micro enterprise development programs and as entrepreneurs.

Statistics demonstrated excellent model fit to the data. The interim outcome of improved personal well-being was related to more sources of capital, course completion, being partnered and younger. Starting a business was related to having more financial resources and mediated by improved well-being. Clients who experienced an increase in income had previous business experience and an increase in assets. Increased income was mediated by improved well-being and business start. Reduction in public assistance was related to course completion, more sources of capital, not being in poverty, and increased assets. Increased assets were related to more education, not being in poverty, and more sources of capital. Being older, more sources of capital, a larger family, and improved well-being led to job creation.

Overall, access to more financial resources enabled clients to meet personal and business goals and work toward self-sufficiency. The results suggest implications for public policy regarding business training and loan financing.

Schmidt, M.C. and J. Kolodinsky. Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship; March 2007.

Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program.

The Domestic Abuse Education Project (DAEP), in Burlington, Middlebury, and St. Albans, Vermont, is a group based domestic abuse intervention program, based in a pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach for domestic violence intervention and prevention. A pre and post-test instrument was developed and implemented to determine short-term change in attitude of participants and motivating factors to change behavior, after completing the twenty-seven session program. After the program, participants reported a positive change in attitudes regarding their abusive behavior and stereotypical beliefs about women. Participants were also more motivated to change their behavior by the effect abuse has on their family relationships.

However, many participants continued to agree that insecurity, jealousy, and alcohol and drug use can cause violence. The positive changes in attitude and motivational factors show that this is an effective model in changing underlying batterer attitudes that provide rationale for abusive behavior.

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, G. Carsten, F. Schmidt, M. Larson, and C. MacLachlan. (2007). Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program based on the pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach. Journal of Family Violence 22(2).

Perspectives on self-employment as a viable option for Vermont TANF recipients.

Microenterprise development (MED) in the United States is a holistic approach that embraces poverty alleviation, human development, and economic development strategies. This study gathered staff perspectives from welfare and MED agencies in Vermont on self-employment as an option for welfare recipients to meet their work requirements and move off of public assistance. Interviews were conducted with Vermont Reach-Up Financial Assistance district managers and coordinators of the Vermont Micro Business Development Program (MBDP).

Findings show that client characteristics influence self-employment viability, including strengths, barriers, length of time on Reach-Up, and location. District managers are supportive of self-employment for clients yet support can be inhibited by the need to get clients off of the welfare system as quickly as possible. MBDP staff noted receiving various levels of support for self-employment from Reach-Up staff, with support level and frequency of client referral related to interagency relationships established. District managers are possibly more supportive of self-employment than case managers. Vermont legislation is supportive of self-employment, however work phase time limits pose a barrier. In addition, the federal “work first” philosophy and use of federal minimum wage to determine benefit amount have negative impacts on self-employment. Suggestions for improving agency relationships, communication, and education, and recommendations to simplify and change legislation to further support self-employment are discussed.

Schmidt, M.C. , Jewiss, J, Koliba, C, and J. Kolodinsky. (2006). Perspectives on self-employment as a viable option for Vermont TANF recipients. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Vermont.