The Michael Project Evaluation

NDARC Staff

Lucy Burns, Elizabeth Conroy and Emma Black

Other Investigators

Paul Flatau (Murdoch University), Kathryn Taylor (Murdoch University), Richard Bryant (UNSW), Tim Marchant, Anne Hampshire, Kathryn di Nicola and Karen Larsen (Mission Australia)

Aims

The Michael Project is a three-year collaboration between Mission Australia (MA) and a philanthopic individual which aims to develop a holistic approach to dealing with the issues of homelessness. The Michael Project will work with homeless men in the greater metropolitan Sydney area who are clients of MA Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services. These services currently address a variety of needs including (but not limited to) outreach and comprehensive case management, specialist support and therapeutic programs, crisis and transitional accommodation, brokerage, education and vocational programs, and health care. The Michael Project will enhance these existing services through four integrated programs: Client Wellbeing and Counselling Intervention; Self-care and Health; Missionbeat Outreach Nurse; and Social Inclusion Skills Development.

The current study aims to evaluate the impact of the Michael Project on key outcomes associated with each of the five integrated programs. Specifically, this study aims to:
1. Collect baseline data on a proportion of clients accessing five Sydney-based MA services to provide detailed information on the risk factors for homelessness among this client group;
2. Collect follow-up information 3-months and 12-months post-baseline to assess changes in key client outcomes over time (e.g. substance use, quality of life, health status);
3. Assess the impact of the number of MP services provided on key client outcomes (e.g. substance use, quality of life, health status); and
4. Identify key indicators of continued homelessness (homelessness risk factors)

Design and Method

Face-to-face longitudinal quantitative survey upon entry to a MA service (baseline), 3 months following entry, and 12 months following entry. Qualitative component involving qualitative interviews with participants 12 months post-baseline, focus groups with service providers and service managers, and semi-structured self-complete survey with case workers. Evaluation of routine indicator data collected in relation to the Medibeat Nurse service.

Progress

Underway. First release of baseline results expected late 2009.

Funding

Private benefactor, through Mission Australia