Implementing with Fidelity: The Key to Getting Results with ScienceBased Programs

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Implementing with FidelityThe Key to Getting
Results with Science-Based Programs

• Angela Amarillas, M.A.
• amarillas_at_californiahealthykids.org
• 510.67.4587
• www.californiahealthykids.org

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What is fidelity and why should I care?
What are the Fidelity Guidelines Checklists?
How can the California Healthy Kids Resource
Center help me?
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What does it mean to implement with fidelity?
Programs should be implemented consistent with
the manner in which they were implemented when
they were demonstrated to be effective by the
programs creators.

• Guidelines for Safe and Drug-Free
• Schools Communities Act (SDFSCA)
• Principles of Effectiveness (1998)

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What dimensions of implementation are relevant
to fidelity?

• Delivery
• Dosage
• Setting
• Materials
• Target Population
• Provider Qualifications
• Provider Training

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Why implement with fidelity?

HIGH FIDELITY HIGH PERFORMANCE
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What are factors that promote high fidelity?

• Program Implementer Training
• Program Characteristics
• Design
• Match
• program target audience and students
• program content and community priorities
• program design and school capacity/needs
• Program Implementer Characteristics
• Organizational Characteristics

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What are barriers to implementing with fidelity?

• Lack of training
• Poor match between program and target audience
• No involvement between program implementers in
  program review, selection, and adoption
• Lack of time or competing demands
• Lack of resources (e.g., money, personnel)
• Lack of administrator and faculty support

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What are methods for checking fidelity?

• Observations
• Self-reports
• Check-ins

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Fidelity Guidelines Checklists
What are Fidelity Guidelines and Checklists
(FGC)?
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Where can I find FGC?
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Research-Validated Programs
www.californiahealthykids.org/rvalidated.html
FGC
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www.californiahealthykids.org
Check out evidence-based programs and
supplemental resources for FREE!
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Health Education Library
AUDIENCE Preschool Primary (K-3) Upper Elementary
(4-6) Middle/Junior High (6-8) High School
(9-12) Parent/Community Professional
MATERIALS TYPE Audiovisual Media Books
References Computer Programs CD-ROMS Curricula
Training Guides Displays Board Games
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I know that implementing with fidelity means
implementing a program the way it was implemented
in research that demonstrated its evidence of
effectiveness.
I know that the program-specific Fidelity
Guidelines Checklists translate research into
easy-to-use tools to understand and monitor
fidelity.
I know that the California Healthy Kids Resource
Center www.californiahealthykids.org is THE
statewide resource for research-based, reviewed
health education materials, information, and
guidance.