PHEC Projects

This evaluation project examines both service satisfaction and effectiveness of the SD QuitLine programs. Quit status is the primary outcome measure, which is reported by all enrollees and differentiated for various subpopulations including callers with chronic diseases and the priority populations of the SD QuitLine. Evaluation consists of telephone and mail survey data collection. Various technical reports, data briefs and infographics provide information to tailor community-level tobacco prevention and control activities.

SD PRAMS gathers information on maternal perceptions and experiences before, during and after pregnancy. The data gathered is used to monitor statewide indicators on the health and well-being of mothers and infants. This proposal outlines services provided to administer the PRAMS survey to selected mothers following the data collection methodology and procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Program including analysis and reporting of the system's survey data findings.

The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) in the South Dakota Department of Health partners with a health system to enhance services offered to children with special health care needs (CSHCN) through a tailored patient navigation service. Evaluation examines the effectiveness of patient navigation services in addressing health outcomes, family needs, provider perceptions, coordination of care, cost considerations, and communication across family stakeholders before and after program participation.

The Wicozani scholarship program provides American Indian SDSU nursing students with financial support to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. More importantly, the scholarship program includes culturally emphasized support through mentoring, tutoring, and guidance by the Native American Nursing Education Center team at SDSU. Evaluation of the Wicozani program includes an annual and semi-annual report for the Indian Health Services program officer, and student exit interviews upon completion of the SDSU nursing program.

The South Dakota Palliative Care Network (SDPCN) aims to provide palliative care education to students, health professionals, and communities throughout South Dakota. The network intends to develop and facilitate delivery of both formal curriculum and continuing education opportunities as well as community-based events promoting palliative care knowledge. PHEC will analyze the educational survey data for each group (professionals, students, and community) as related to project outcomes, providing a summary report and evaluation recommendations for future efforts.

The South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (SD CCCP) brings together individuals and organizations to work to reduce the burden of cancer in our state. The specific aims of this ongoing evaluation project are:

• To examine public health and program outcomes related to the six components of the SD CCCP
• To monitor and report on evaluation indicators for the priority components, including revisions to the statewide cancer control plan
• To assist stakeholders in implementing evaluation for SD CCCP activities

The South Dakota Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (SD BCCEDP) uses a collaborative approach to implement cancer prevention and control activities to reduce the burden of breast and cervical cancer in SD. The SD BCCEDP manages All Women Count!, a program that provides education and screening information to women and healthcare providers, as well as financial assistance for screening to eligible women through a network of roughly 250 clinics across the state. Evaluation examines education and access to screening (particularly among low-income and uninsured/underinsured individuals), program outcome indicators, guides staff in continuous program improvement, and disseminates successes so these efforts can be applied in similar settings within and beyond the state’s borders.

The SD Colorectal Cancer Control Program (SD CRCCP) provides education and screening information to patients and healthcare providers, working directly with healthcare systems to implement evidence-based interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening. Evaluation examines the extent to which implemented strategies increase high quality colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic services, monitors program outcome indicators, guides staff in continuous program improvement, and disseminates successes and best practices.

This agreement provides analytic support to the programs within the South Dakota Department of Health’s Cancer Programs:

• All Women Count! - South Dakota Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
• South Dakota Colorectal Cancer Control Program
• South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
• South Dakota Cancer Registry

Cancer data generated by the programs is analyzed to determine data trends, disparities, and screening rates by county, gender and race to inform program efforts. Specific focus areas are determined throughout the year in partnership with program staff. Results are used to inform efforts across the South Dakota's cancer programs.

The South Dakota Cancer Registry (SDCR) coordinates the collection and dissemination of high-quality data on reportable incidence cancer cases in a timely manner, reports and promotes useful information for cancer control and prevention programs, responds to public cancer concerns, and maintains state policies to improve registry procedures. Evaluation of this program is intended to develop recommendations to enhance program operation, data quality and completeness performance, data usage among researchers and surveillance, collaboration among stakeholders and across internal partners toward reducing the burden of cancer.

Under the South Dakota Department of Health Healthy Relationships umbrella programming, the Title X Family Planning Program provides family planning services to any population of reproductive age in the state. Title X aims to serve low-income families with resources to address their family planning needs. The program conducts client surveys and needs assessments as part of their evaluation activities.

The South Dakota Rape Prevention Education (RPE) Program aims to decrease sexual violence by partnering with community organizations to offer prevention programs aimed at reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors that lead to fewer victimizations, particularly among youth and young adults. Evaluation for the program examines partnerships, assesses efforts to implement evidence-based individual and community change strategies, and monitors progress on outlined activities.

Under the South Dakota Department of Health Healthy Relationships umbrella programming, the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program consists of two funding mechanisms (General Department SRAE and Title V SRAE) to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the state's adolescents ages 10-13 years old, promote healthy choices and decision making, enhance relationships, and educate on abstinence and/or safer sex practices for the state's youth. Education is provided through evidence-based curricula offered by Lutheran Social Services, the Boys and Girls Club Alliance, and schools selected through local community health nurses. Evaluation services for this program include survey development and implementation, data collection, curriculum review, and dissemination of findings. Evaluation findings will be used to further develop program implementation and work to create efficiencies across all Healthy Relationship programs.

Under the South Dakota Department of Health Healthy Relationships umbrella programming, the PREP works to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among South Dakota adolescents ages 14+ years old, promote healthy choices and decision making, enhance relationships, and educate on abstinence and/or safer sex practices for South Dakota youth. Education is provided through evidence-based curricula offered by Lutheran Social Services. Evaluation services to be provided for this program include survey development and implementation, data collection, curriculum review, and dissemination of findings. Evaluation findings will be used to further develop program implementation and work to create efficiencies across all Healthy Relationship programs.

Better Choices, Better Health South Dakota is a self-management education program designed to help adults living with any type of chronic disease, or their caregivers, make healthier choices. PHEC provides services under three aspects of the Better Choices, Better Health program including:

1. Management of participant and trainee enrollment and outcome data
2. Evaluation services assessing the extent to which the program is reaching its goal of delivering quality programming and training opportunities statewide
3. Management of participant and trainee enrollment and coordination of workshops

The South Dakota SNAP-Ed program collaborates with numerous partners, schools, and funding sources to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP in South Dakota will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles. Evaluation activities assess the effectiveness of SNAP-Ed educational programs and monitor participant’s nutritional and physical activity decisions. 

The High Obesity Program implements initiatives designed to enhance food systems, nutrition guidelines, physical activity opportunities, and active routes to everyday destinations, with the goal of improving health food purchasing and everyday physical activity. Evaluation assesses the quality of support provided by the SDSU Extension program staff, progress in meeting the outlined data indicators in the program’s work plan, and changes in the community food and physical activity environment over the past five years.