Taylor Newberry Consulting has extensive experience in all aspects of program evaluation and applied research. Within this dynamic and evolving field, our projects range from local, single program evaluations to complex systems change and community impact initiatives.
Our approach emphasizes a strong utilization focus that ensures information is credible, strategically relevant, and useful to evaluation stakeholders for multiple purposes, such as program improvement, policy development, collective learning, and knowledge exchange.
We are well-practiced in developing “theories of change” with our partners, by critically examining the underlying rationale and assumptions of programs and initiatives and how they are expected to work. This work often includes the development of program logic models, which graphically capture the efforts of programs.
Our content experience in the field is broad and we have conducted research and evaluation projects in the areas of mental health, disabilities, child and youth development, food security, employment supports, and many others.
Sample projects:
Evaluation of the Skills for Safer Living Program (2012)
Canadian Mental Health Association – Grand River Branch, The Self Help Alliance
- Currently conducting an evaluation of a psychosocial skills and peer support program designed to promote well-being, community connections, and to reduce suicidal behaviour among adults with mental health difficulties. This project is focusing on the impact and experience of a peer support component that follows completion of the skills group, with recommendations for future evaluation and program improvement.
Transitioning in New Times: A Developmental Evaluation of Regional Employment Development (2010-present)
Lutherwood
- Designed and conducted a developmental evaluation of an employment support project led by a partnership between Lutherwood and local private companies. The goal of the project was to develop company-specific upgrade training initiatives targeting unemployed workers from the manufacturing sector, newcomers, and youth. TNC provided evaluation support to the project to examine the model the development of the model as it unfolded in each sector and to make recommendations for future work in this area.
Bridge to Success: An Evaluation of a Program to help Youth Transition to Post-Secondary Education (2010-2011)
United Way Toronto
- Completed a summative evaluation of a five-year pilot project designed to help youth at risk engage with school and continue to post-secondary education or training. Working with researchers from the Toronto District School Board, we were able to show that the program had increased engagement with school and helped many youth graduate into post-secondary programs. This evaluation report played a key role in securing further funding to continue the project into a second phase. This program is based at North Albion Collegiate Institute and run by Community Microskills.