Donald Beasley Institute for research and education on intellectual disability.

Evaluation Research Projects

Evaluation of Intersectoral and Disability Needs Assessment and Service Coordination Trials

Photo of a window in Mathews House.

In 2004 the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Ministry of Health formed a partnership to jointly fund an evaluation of three intersectoral needs assessment and service coordination demonstration projects. The evaluation project was intended to "form the basis of advice and recommendations to Government on the future direction of intra and intersectoral work". The evaluation team was contracted to evaluate to what extent the three intersectoral needs assessment and service coordination demonstration projects improved collaborative arrangements and outcomes for people with disabilities through the delivery of more effectively integrated and coordinated services. This project was completed in 2006.

Research Team: Dr Anne Bray, Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Dr Claire Stewart, Ms Sarah Sharp, Dr Berni Kelly (Donald Beasley Institute), Mr Grant Cleland (Creative Solutions), Professor Ray Kirk (University of Canterbury), Mr Phillip Siataga (Grace Systems)

Auckland ASD Demonstration Projects

The Ministry of Health contracted the Donald Beasley Institute to evaluate two autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstration projects that were undertaken in Auckland in 2005/2006. Autism NZ hosted the Family and Whanau Support and Community Outreach Demonstration Project that provided information and supports to family/whanau with a child newly diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. IDEA Specialist Services were the provider for the Communication and Behaviour Support Demonstration Project. The project aimed to provide proactive communication and behaviour support for children and young people up to the age of 21 and their families/whanau. The projects were funded to run over a year period. Evaluation of both projects involved an analysis of processes employed and of outcomes in relation to project objectives and experiences of participating families and other stakeholders.

Research Team: Dr Anne Bray, Dr Claire Stewart and Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch (Donald Beasley Institute)