Current Assignments:

Statistical analysis of the first national survey of non-profit organizations (N = 1,300) and employees (N = 1,500) for Human Resource Council of Voluntary/Non-profit Sector, Ottawa.

Consultant to Workgroup Designs, a firm contracted to evaluate the implementation of a wide range of alternative measures programs for young offenders in Ontario, including extra-judicial measures, extra-judicial sanctions, restorative justice and school-based diversion.

Past Assignments:

This section is divided into four subsections:

  1. Program Evaluations, Reviews and Related Projects
    2.
  2. Program/Curriculum Planning and Related Projects
    3.
  3. Data Analysis Projects
    4.
  4. Training
    5.

1. Program Evaluations, Reviews and Related Projects

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Values articulation and values-based program evaluation of the extent to which the Restorative Justice program offered by Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview honoured the values on which is based (2008).

Framework for evaluating the processes and impacts of the activities of the Pan-Canadian Joint Consortium for School Health, a national, inter-ministerial initiative funded by Health and Welfare Canada in conjunction with provincial/territorial Ministries of Education and Health (2006-2007).

Human resource needs assessment in community-based education and training agencies in Ontario for the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP), Toronto, funded by Service Canada (2006).

Environmental scan of health programs and services in the region of North Simcoe Muskoka. Undertaken with colleague Dr. Susan Scott (lead consultant), for the North Simcoe Local Health Integration Network, and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2006).

Evaluation framework for a pilot program to lower the incidence of foster care breakdown and entry into a group home setting among adolescents in foster care, developed for the Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society, Barrie, and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services (Dr. Susan Scott, lead consultant) (2006).

Province-wide needs assessment for employment services among Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing consumers. The project also included the development of a comprehensive model of expanded and enhanced employment service delivery, including organizational and staffing recommendations. While the consultation process identified needs and gaps, it also focused on identifying service solutions. A total of 365 stakeholders participated in providing input - in either survey or focus group form, making this project the most comprehensive consultation of its kind. Contracted by the Canadian Hearing Society, Toronto, with funding provided by Human Resources Skills Development Canada (2005).

Assessment of accessibility challenges among Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing users of Telehealth Ontario via TTY (Text Telephone). Subcontracted by IBM Business Consulting Services, for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (2005).

Developed employment services benchmarks for the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP), Toronto. Drawing on an Ontario-wide sample of 1,100 clients, developed benchmarks for ten employment service areas from across Ontario. The first study of its kind in Canada, it also provided an empirical assessment of the depth and breadth of employment barriers faced by clients served by the community-based training sector. Study published as Delivering value: Employment indicators in Ontario’s Community Based Training (CBT) sector under the auspices of ONESTEP. Funded by Human Resources Skills Development Canada (2004-2005).

File review to develop recommendations for employment counselling and related support services for the Toronto Community Employment Service (2003).

Evaluation of three diversionary programs for youth charged with marijuana-related and minor offences offered by Operation Springboard, Toronto (Dr. Susan Scott, lead consultant) (2002).

Program review and recommendations in core programming areas including life skills, anger management, and level system at the Syl Apps Secure Treatment and Custody for young offenders, Oakville, contracted by Kinark Child and Family Services (2001-2002).

Development of outcome measures and stakeholder surveys for ongoing evaluation of mental health services in Grey-Bruce County for the Community Network Support Team, Owen Sound and funded by Ministry of Long Term Health and Care (2001).

Evaluation of the grants and allocations process at the Children’s Aid Foundation, Toronto (total allocations in 2000, $5 million) (with colleague Dr. Susan Scott); contracted by the Children’s Aid Foundation (2001).

Review of the Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program offered by the Toronto District School Board. As part of this project conducted an in-depth review of all program services, including program delivery, administration and costs. Also evaluated the programs against best practices to arrive at a new model of program delivery (2000).

Cost-benefit analysis of participating in the provincial Ontario Works programs by community-based training and employment agencies. Contracted the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP) (2000).

Developed outcome scales consisting of over 30 mental health treatment-related outcomes for the Community Network Support Team, Owen Sound, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (1999).

Reviewed factors responsible for organizational fatigue and arrived at change management recommendations for Kinark Child and Family Services - one of Canada’s largest children’s mental health agencies (1999).

Reviewed and revised the literacy and numeracy learning outcomes for all LBS (literacy and basic skills) programs in Ontario. Created a comprehensive learning outcomes matrix and associated training/orientation documents. Contracted by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Literacy and Workplace Preparation Branch (1998).

Human resource needs assessment among over 700 community-based training organizations across Canada for the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Training funded by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) (William G. Wolfson, lead consultant), (1997).

Evaluation plan for the Waabinong Head Start Family Resource Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, funded by Health and Welfare Canada (1997).

Assessment of human resource needs in community-based training in Ontario for the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects, (ONESTEP), Toronto funded by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) (William G. Wolfson, lead consultant), (1996).

Advisor to the evaluation of the joint Assembly of First Nations/ Health and Welfare Canada EAGLE (Effects on Aboriginals from the Great Lakes Environment) Project. The EAGLE project was a multi-disciplinary program of research and community awareness-building around chemical contamination of the Great Lakes involving 60 First Nations communities. Contracted by the Assembly of First Nations, Ottawa (1995 - 1997).

Designed a customized client risk/need assessment scale together with recommendations on its use in formative evaluation for the Community Action Program for Children in North Bay, Ontario. Contracted by the Nipissing District Children’s Aid Society; funded by Health and Welfare Canada (1995).

Needs assessment for services to children with multiple challenges (cognitive, physical, and/or emotional) in the Districts of Nipissing, Muskoka, and Parry Sound. Commissioned by the Integrated Services for Northern Children Program, Area Office, Ministry of Community and Social Services, and funded through three ministries: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Community and Social Services (1995).

Program evaluation and organizational review of the Wikwemikong Hub Centre’s early childhood education program, Wikwemikong First Nation, Manitoulin Island, Ontario (1995).

Program evaluation and organizational review of the West Bay First Nation Day Care Centre, West Bay, Ontario (1995).

Organizational review of the Nipissing Arts Centre. The assignment involved consultation with a diverse group of Board, organizational and community members, with the goal of developing a renewal plan leading to the hiring of a new general manager (1994).

Reviewed the management structure and governance of a pilot project designed to provide support for social assistance clients in the districts of Nipissing, Muskoka and Parry Sound, Ministry of Community and Social Services District Office (MCSS), North Bay (1994).

Evaluation framework of the Opportunity Planning Project (a pilot program testing work transition support for social assistance recipients in nine Ontario cities) Ministry of Community and Social Services, Toronto (1993).

Evaluation of a post-release transitional community support program for young offenders offered by the Nipissing Community Support Team, North Bay (1993).

Program review of the Window of Opportunity pilot project, a work transition program for social assistance recipients, MCSS District Office, North Bay (1993).

Program evaluation based on a one-year post-release follow-up of young offenders participating in Project DARE, a wilderness-based program in South River Ontario, funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services (1992).

Provided strategic advice on the design of an outcome evaluation for provincial secure custody and community support programs, including a survey of programs in Ontario for high risk young offenders and the use of the Young Offender Services Information System (YOSIS) database in program evaluation, contracted by the Ministry of Community and Social Services (1990-1991).

2. Program and Curriculum Planning and Related Projects

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Writer and researcher for the Paths to Financial Vibrancy Project, the goal of which was to pool and build on the collective knowledge of the non-profit employment and labour market service sector regarding proven strategies for becoming financially vibrant in an increasingly competitive funding environment. The long-term goal of this project not only to increase the effectiveness of the employment and labour market service sector, but also to see organizations moving to a more financially vibrant position as a result of using the resources that have been (and continue to be) developed. Project undertaken for the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP), with funding by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (2007).

Developed public policy statements in several areas (e.g., the right to accommodation and accessibility among deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing people) for the Canadian Hearing Society (2007).

Created the Learning-to-Learn Differently Program (LLDP) for the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, with funding from the Ontario Children’s Secretariat’s Early Years Challenge Fund. LLDP ran successfully in three Ontario cities (Toronto, Sarnia, Peterborough) from 2002-2005. The program assisted academically at-risk Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students by combining tutoring by volunteers, parent coaching and teacher direction.

Curriculum design for a variety of training programs for First Nations communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, Labrador. Contracted by the Native Training Centre, North Bay, with funding by the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Human Resources Development Canada (1995 - 2001).

Program planning for Kinark Child and Family Services’ young offender programming at Syl Apps Campus, the largest facility of its kind in Ontario providing secure custody and secure treatment to up to 90 youth (2000).

Developed a new amalgamated structure of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programs previously operated by five different school boards across metro Toronto, contracted by the Toronto District School Board, and funded by the Ontario Administration of Settlement and Integration Services, Citizenship and Immigration (1999).

Training in social service management practices, Cape Crocker First Nations (1999).

Undertook program planning for the young offender programs provided by Dawn Patrol, Hamilton, Phase I (up to 15 years of age) open custody and detention facilities (1998).

Developed program strategies to address barriers to self-employment among immigrant women. Contracted by the Immigrant Women’s Job Placement Centre, Toronto (1997).

Designed a program for enhancing job retention among severely employment disadvantaged clients served by the Immigrant Women’s Job Placement Centre, Toronto (1996).

Advisor to Binoojiinyag Kinoomaadwin - Canada’s first early childhood education diploma program for First Nations students, offered jointly by Cambrian College, Sudbury, Ontario and the Anishinabek Education Institute, Peterborough (1986 - 1993).

Consultant to the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, Young Offender Services Branch to assist the expansion of new young offender facilities in Northern Ontario (1990 - 1992). Contributions included:

developing a unique simulation training program for new secure custody facilities in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay;

developing a training package in program design for the facilities; and,

providing ongoing consultation to facilities experiencing programming problems.

Consultant to Canadore College, North Bay to design a curriculum for a correctional services worker diploma program (1992). This program was approved in December, 1992 and began in September, 1993.

Annotated bibliography of programs and research addressing cross-cultural issues in child development and child health and welfare policy pertinent to First Nations children. Contracted by the Union of Ontario Indians, Toronto (1991).

Advised the program design and evaluation planning for a community-based program for young offenders. Contracted by the William Creighton Youth Centre, Thunder Bay. This was the first of six sites chosen for the province-wide Community Support Team program funded by MCSS (1988).

Consultant to the Bulimia/Anorexia Nervosa Association, Windsor, to advise the design and evaluation of a psycho-educational treatment program for young women with eating disorders (1987).

Developed a work re-entry program for the severely employment disadvantaged providing a vehicle for meaningful employment-related skills development. Contracted by the Peterborough Committee on Career Development (project funded by Human Resources Development Canada) (1987).

Curriculum design for a college-level diploma program for First Nations counsellors. The program was developed to provide an accredited professional upgrading opportunity for full-time counsellors (1984 - 1985). Contracted by the Anigawncigig Institute, Peterborough.

Subcontracted by Sir Sandford Fleming College (Peterborough, Ontario), to evaluate current practices and prepare program guidelines for the training of life skills in correctional settings for the Correctional Services of Canada. The resulting recommendations (58 pages) integrated traditional techniques and content of life skills training with a framework incorporating both cognitive-behavioural interventions (e.g., critical thinking, inter-personal problem-solving, social skills training, self-monitoring) and principles of adult learning (1984).

3. Data Analysis Projects (Representative sample of projects)

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Note: In these assignments, the emphasis was on the use of data mining and multivariate analyses that can reveal statistically significant patterns among sub groups within a sample that are undetectable using conventional descriptive statistics and univariate analyses.

Provincial wage survey, Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP), Toronto (2004).

Analysis of labour force survey data for the information technology occupations, data analysis consultation provided to WGW Services Ltd (2002).

Human resource study of the health care sector in Durham Region data analysis carried out for RJ Sparks Consulting Inc. (2002).

Rexdale youth needs assessment data analysis and report prepared for Rexdale Youth Services, Toronto (2002).

Job search workshops evaluation, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, data analysis carried out for RJ Sparks Consulting Inc. (2001).

School-based intervention project targeting learning-disabled youth at risk of further involvement in the criminal justice system, program evaluation data analysis carried out for the Integra Foundation (2000).

Barriers to self-employment among low-income immigrant women, qualitative data analysis carried out for the Immigrant Women’s Job Placement Centre and funded by Status of Women Canada (1997).

Needs assessment of adult literacy programs in Ontario, survey design and data analysis contracted by the Ontario Literacy Coalition, Toronto (1995).

Training

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Well over 3,000 members of various helping professions, throughout Ontario and parts of Canada have attended one or more of my seminars over the years. The following is a partial list of the workshops I have delivered between 1984 and the present (the listing does not include the many customized workshops on specific topics provided to organizations):

For a representative cross-section of the organizations that have attended my seminars and/or purchased my book on program design and evaluation click here.

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