Measuring Impact: Samantha Yamada at TEDxYorkU 2012

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares their journey of establishing the Pine River Institute, an innovative treatment program for adolescents facing substance abuse and mental health challenges in Canada. Reflecting on their early experiences in wilderness therapy, they emphasize the importance of measuring impact to improve services and foster hope. Despite initial struggles, the commitment to outcome evaluation led to significant government funding and positive transformations in the lives of many families. The speaker calls for leaders to prioritize measuring impact, highlighting that such efforts can create momentum for change and ultimately make a life-saving difference.

Takeaways

• 😀 Measuring impact is crucial for creating momentum in social services and making a significant difference in the lives of individuals.
• 😀 The Pine River Institute was established to provide comprehensive treatment for adolescents and families struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues in Canada.
• 😀 The speaker's initial experiences in wilderness therapy highlighted the need for similar resources in Canada, inspiring the creation of Pine River.
• 😀 Early commitment to evaluation helped the Pine River Institute identify its effectiveness and areas for improvement, despite initial challenges.
• 😀 The program's success relied heavily on community support, as it was founded without government funding.
• 😀 Collecting data and feedback from participants allowed the program to adapt and enhance its services over time.
• 😀 Measuring impact creates a culture of accountability and curiosity within organizations, fostering continuous improvement.
• 😀 Initial outcomes may be difficult to hear, but they are essential for guiding necessary changes to better serve clients.
• 😀 The commitment to impact measurement led to government funding, validating the program's effectiveness and sustainability.
• 😀 Measuring impact not only aids program development but also instills hope in individuals seeking help, as illustrated by the story of a reluctant participant.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's presentation?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of measuring impact in social programs to create momentum for more effective interventions.

What inspired the creation of Pine River Institute?

The speaker was inspired by their experience in wilderness therapy and the realization that similar programs did not exist in Canada, despite the pressing need for such services.

What challenges did Pine River Institute face in its early days?

Pine River Institute faced financial difficulties, a lack of government funding, and the struggle to collect data due to a low number of students in the initial phase.

How did measuring impact help Pine River Institute improve its services?

By measuring impact, the Institute was able to identify areas needing improvement, make necessary adjustments to the program, and ultimately enhance the quality of care provided.

What was the outcome of Pine River Institute's commitment to measuring impact?

The commitment led to the securing of funding from the Ministry of Health, which allowed the Institute to operate more sustainably and expand its services.

What specific outcomes did Pine River Institute aim to measure?

The Institute aimed to measure reductions in substance use, improvements in emotional and physical health, better family relationships, and enhancements in quality of life and future prospects for the youth.

Why did the speaker highlight a specific incident involving a 15-year-old girl?

This incident illustrated the profound impact of measuring outcomes; the girl found hope through the evidence of success from the program, which motivated her to enter the facility.

What is the broader vision of Pine River Institute?

The broader vision is to transform the field of adolescent development and substance abuse treatment in Canada and beyond, providing comprehensive care and support.

What lesson does the speaker emphasize about the process of measuring impact?

The speaker emphasizes that measuring impact can be messy and challenging but is essential for creating effective programs and fostering positive change.

What call to action does the speaker provide to the audience?

The speaker calls on governments, leaders, and practitioners to have the courage to measure the impact of their programs, as this can lead to significant improvements in outcomes for those they serve.