Programs & Services > Growing Up Healthy Downtown > News & Events > Interim Evaluation Report
Making a Difference: How GUHD programs are impacting the lives of children and families living in downtown Toronto.
On September 21, 2005 at the Fall Family Picnic at Riverdale Farm, Growing Up Healthy Downtown released its interim evaluation report on the impact of its programs on the lives of downtown Toronto families.
Growing Up Healthy Downtown is one of 464 projects delivering programs to families since 1993 as part of the federal government’s Community Action Program for Children (CAPC). CAPC was created through the Canadian government’s Child Development Initiative as a response to the United Nation s World Summit for Children held in 1990 and receives funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
GUHD is a partnership of eight community based, multi-service agencies offering a wide range of programs to families with children up to six years old who may be living in circumstances of vulnerability across downtown Toronto. Programs include parenting workshops and courses, school readiness programs, reading circles, parent relief programs, and others.
"I think what we really appreciate is the connection to other people. You're not afraid or embarrassed if you cry or say something in frustration. They'll understand. It's the support. So you learn but it's the reinforcement of 'we're not alone' that's always important."
"I just started going back to school in September. I would use the (parent relief program) time to go to the library to study, which helped a lot because then I would be able to spend more time with my daughter when we came home."
In October 2003, GUHD agencies began collecting quantitative evaluation data from program participants to assess whether or not GUDH programs have an impact on vulnerable families and communities. The report includes an analysis of the data collected over almost 18 months, together with a demographic snapshot of the families utilizing GUHD programs; a qualitative analysis of the programs' impact; the challenges of collecting information; and, a cost-benefit analysis of GUHD programs.
The research shows that GUHD programs are having an impact. Pre- and post-test survey results indicated improvements in the areas of social support and knowledge of community resources.
These findings were further supported by the feedback gathered through 15 focus groups and several individual interviews held with parents and caregivers during the evaluation period. Additionally, focus group participants also indicated that GUHD programs were having a significant impact on their parenting abilities.
Overall, GUHD programs helped parents to:
- improve their parenting skills (i.e., how to deal with anger, understanding the root causes of children’s behaviour);
- reduce isolation, improve social networks and learn from other parents;
- make friends and develop a network of support;
- receive good advice and be supported by their peers;
- feel that they and their children are "normal" and that they’re not alone in their experiences; and,
- learn about/connect with community services and resources.
"[GUHD's approach in] utilizing a community development [and] empowering model results in responsive service but also results in service providers being well informed about pressing issues for parents and families."
"GUHD has also provided leadership to the coalition. to press for appropriate and needed direction [such as] anti-racism training, public forums, and the What Families Want brief."
The report also concluded that GUHD has an impact at the community level and contributes to better delivery of services in the city. Interviews with key stakeholders revealed that GUHD’s participation in numerous coalitions - and it’s collaborations with other service providers, parents and community members - has a significant impact on:
- improved information sharing about services provided;
- ensure a better coordination of services;
- identify and address gaps in services;
- form coalitions; and
- avoid duplication of service
When assessing the costs and benefits of GUHD programs, the report clearly demonstrates that the federal government's investment in GUHD is cost effective both in terms of the per-family cost of the program and through the preventative aspects of the project.
For example, based on the number of families involved annually in GUHD and the amount of funding received by the Public Health Agency programs, the approximate cost of running the programs is just $467 per family per year. The report also finds that the cost of delivering the program is easily recovered through savings achieved in other areas of public responsibility. To give just one example, each year if only 11 children, or 1% of all families participating in GUHD programs, are prevented from entering into the care of a child welfare agency, the full annual cost of running GUHD programs would be recovered.
Download report summary or full report (PDF format)
