Northern Communities Coming Together to Advance Tobacco Control: The Evaluation of the Northeastern

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Northern Communities Coming Together to Advance
Tobacco ControlThe Evaluation of the
Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit (NEOTS)

• Presented by
• Michèle Parent
• Darshaka Malaviarachchi
• June 03, 2003

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Acknowledgements

• Cancer Care Ontario
• Health Canada
• Wendy Carew, Chair
• Cindy Russell, Project Coordinator
• Eve Nadler, PHRED Program

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Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit (NEOTS)

• Multi-phased strategic process in six health unit
  catchment areas
• Algoma Health Unit
• Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit
• North Bay District Health Unit
• Porcupine Health Unit
• Sudbury District Health Unit
• Timiskaming Health Unit

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Purpose of the NEOTS

• To plan, host, and evaluate an innovative
  Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit conference in
  the spring of 2002 that would create the
  momentum, relationships and direction required to
  reduce the number of people smoking, and
  eliminate environmental tobacco smoke
• To develop and support a mechanism for follow-up
  actions as a result of the conference

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The NEOTS Process

• Engage a regional approach
• Include youth, Francophone and Aboriginal
  components
• Involve individuals from different sectors
• Address environmental tobacco smoke, and smoking
  cessation

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Steering Committee

• Involve business, hospitality, political, youth,
  community, education health sectors
• Health Units, NEORCC, DHC, Community Agencies,
  CLR, Aboriginal People, Canadian Cancer Society,
  Lung Association, Canadore College

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Three Stages of the NEOTS Process

• Preparing communities
• Creating a Regional Strategy
• Sustaining action

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Stage One Preparing Communities

• Building community capacity
• Encouraging participation from all sectors
• Sub-committees
• Community Liaison Representatives (CLRs)

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Stage Two Creating a Regional Strategy

• NEOTS Conference (June 10-12, 2002)
• Facilitated by ICA Associates Inc.
• Over 165 participants

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Conference Process

• Intensive small group sessions diverse range of
  topics
• Sessions generated five Summit recommendations

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Stage Three Sustaining Action

• Still in development and action phase
• Intended to sustain recommendations across
  Northeastern Ontario
• Continued local and regional communication
• Consultant to assist with sustainability plan

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Evaluation Component

• Public Health Research, Education and Development
  (PHRED) Program at the Sudbury District Health
  Unit
• Participatory focused evaluation approach
• Evaluation plan developed with steering committee

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Evaluation Questions

• Did we increase involvement through all community
  sectors and non-traditional groups in tobacco
  control efforts in Northeastern Ontario?
• Did we increase local and regional collaboration
  regarding tobacco control in Northeastern
  Ontario?
• Did we identify strategic directions and develop
  action plans for all the 3 phases of the Summit?
• Did we establish infrastructure and support
  within the 3 phases to implement and build this
  plan?
• Were the adopted resolutions implemented?

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Phases of the Evaluation

• Phase 1 - Pre-Summit Conference
• Phase 2 - Summit Conference
• Phase 3 - Post-Summit Conference

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Evaluation Phase 1

• Tracking Form
• Diversity of sector participation
• Range of support for tobacco control initiatives
• Provided baseline information to assess the
  impactof NEOTS
• Assessment of Conference Promotion
• Canvassed over 1200 businesses
• Distribution of 30,000 flyers across six
  catchment areas
• Steering Committee Information (Minutes)

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Evaluation Phase 2

• Daily Evaluations
• Demonstrated geographical and sector
  representation
• Respondents expectations were met and exceeded

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Evaluation Phase 2

• Focus Groups with participants and CLR
• Appreciation for diverse perspectives
• Concern regarding sector representation
• Gaining awareness of business, youth and
  Aboriginal concerns

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Evaluation Phase 2

• Impact Questionnaires
• Over 80 rated format as helpful
• Support a future forum of this type
• 60 indicated conference helpful in increasing
  local and regional collaboration

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Evaluation Phase 2

• Steering Committee Debriefing
• Steering Committee Minutes

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Evaluation Phase 2 - Results

• Positive feedback on the NEOTS process
• Achieved intended objectives
• Provided Steering Committee with renewal and
  reassurance
• Stage Two - Creating a Regional Strategy is
  ongoing

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Evaluation Phase 3

• Tracking Form comparison
• Steering Committee Minutes
• Steering Committee Debriefing

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NEOTS Summary

• Currently in stage three of its multi-phased
  strategic process
• Further developing regional strategy
• Sustaining actions from the Summit Conference
  (via RFP)
• Positive impact on Northeastern Ontario regarding
  tobacco issues

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Evaluation Lessons Learned

• Evaluation results are being used in further
  planning and development
• Requires a multi-disciplinary team
• Need excellent communication skills
• Flexibility
• Costly undertaking
• High time commitment due to complexity