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aha! Process, Inc. works diligently with our partners to design and implement assessments of our community programs. Using
scientific research methodology, aha! Process examines links between program activities and changes within audience behaviors
and practices.
Qualitative or quantitative research methodologies—inventories, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observational studies,
exit studies—are implemented according to the program needs.
See information on the research methods and instruments used to assess implementation of the Bridges/Getting Ahead Sustainability Model.
For specific reports and results, peruse the list below:
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Results from higher education.
The Workforce Development and Continuing Studies Department
of Kent State University's Salem campus was funded to provide services for the Getting Ahead program through a TANF grant
from the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services.
Beginning in 2006,
Youngstown State University (YSU)
led a coalition of schools, workforce development agencies, and healthcare employer partners in the development of a career pathway project designed to assist low-wage,
low-skill adults to enter and advance in health-related occupations. The idea was to use Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World (GA) as the preparation and launching
pad for people’s future stories of technical and professional careers and economic stability.
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Results from community organizations.
Indiana-Based Getting Ahead Program Sees Strong Movement Toward Reducing Poverty’s Grip:
Leaders from social service agencies in South Bend, Indiana noticed that in their community, individuals in poverty seemed to be cycling
through agencies but remained “stuck” in their lives. So, Linda Baechle of the YWCA of Saint Joseph County decided to try a new approach:
She used a small grant from a local college to implement the Bridges Out of Poverty/Getting Ahead Model. In the two years since, she has
documented very strong improvements in several resource areas across all the individuals the YWCA tracked, including: income, education,
employment, and support services. Read more about their process and results.
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Results in health organizations.
Getting Ahead ina Just-Gettin’-By World Offers Students Hope for a Successful Nursing Career, Ohio (2004):
The nursing shortage is a dilemma that many hospitals and health centers are facing. In Ohio, several hospitals and health centers turned
to Kent State University – Salem Campus to help them work toward better retention rates in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs,
particularly among economically and educationally disadvantaged adults.
A secondary goal was set for the LPN students’ teachers and future employers to learn about economic class issues.
To meet these goals, Kent State University asked aha! Process, Inc. to train 90 LPN students in Columbiana and Trumbull Counties in the
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World program. aha! Process consultants also provided a one-day Bridges Out of Poverty training to LPN
and other adult education instructors.
Results support personal and professional growth among respondents.
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Results from our Circles Campaign.
aha! Process, Inc. partners with
Move the Mountain
to bring Circles™ to many communities across the U.S. In Circles™ a person in poverty (called the Circle Leader) and two to four middle
class people (called Allies) come together to help the person in poverty overcome barriers, build resources, and transition out of poverty.
Getting Ahead is used to prepare people to become a Circle Leader; Bridges is used to prepare the Allies. It this way everyone in the Circle
shares the same understanding of poverty, middle class and wealth. This survey shows that 92% of the Circles Communities agreed or strongly
agreed that Getting Ahead is crucial for the preparation of Circle Leaders to be matched with Allies.
Read the document
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Results from businesses.
The business sector is using Bridges concepts to improve retention rates, advancement, attendance, and staff relationships. There are
companies with proven results
that serve as learning centers for others who want to know how to apply Bridges work.
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Results from the courts and judicial system.
Title: Judge applies Bridges concepts in Columbiana County (Ohio) Municipal Court
Description: Judge Carol Robb made nine policy changes to eliminate obstacles within the municipal court system for those from
generational poverty. These changes were made without jeopardizing the integrity of the court.
Bridges constructs that were applied: Using the mental models of economic class and understanding the impact that poverty has on individuals
and families the court was able to overcome the financial barrier faced by people in poverty that kept them from using electronically monitored
house arrest devices.
Results: The change in policy resulted in the county saving $65,000 in jail fees and an undetermined amount of medical costs for indigent defendants.
Read more — Listen to audio clip
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