Conference & Registration Information

Keynote and Plenary Sessions

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Making Evaluation Useful
Making program evaluations useful is one specific example of the larger challenge of translating research into practice. In the world of evaluation, Utility is one of the standards of excellence for evaluation practice. Evaluation researchers have devoted considerable attention to the challenges associated with the use of evaluation findings. Dr. Michael Quinn Patton will share a framework for conducting useful evaluations called "utilization-focused evaluation." Through interesting examples and stories, Dr. Patton will share his approach to the art of evaluation and inspire the evaluator in you.

PLENARY I: Support Programs for Women During Pregnancy
This session will describe the effectiveness of the CenteringPregnancy model of group prenatal care. This model combines the essential components of prenatal care; support, education and assessment and creates opportunities for women to learn self care skills and build community with each other. In addition, this session will describe a Chicago-based doula program and provide information about the impact of emotional and information support to mothers during labor, birth, and postpartum. Obstetrical outcomes, mother’s mental health, mother-infant interaction, and child development during the first two years of life will be discussed.

PLENARY II: Home Visitation: Nurse and Para-Professional Models
Dr. Olds will summarize the results of three randomized controlled trials of a program of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses. The nurses have three major goals: 1) to improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women improve their prenatal health; 2) to improve child health and development by helping parents provide more competent care of their children; and 3) to improve parents' personal development by helping them develop a vision for the future and plan future pregnancies, complete their educations, and find work. The program has produced clinically and statistically significant effects in each of the trials in each of these outcome domains. Dr. Landsverk will provide findings from a clinical trial of the effectiveness of a para-professional home visitation program originally based on the Hawaii Healthy Start and the Healthy Families America (HFA) model. The HFA model adheres to a series of Critical Elements that serves as a program framework to provide high-risk families with service referrals, childcare, transportation and parenting classes. The long-term goal of this program is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect.

PLENARY III: Early Childhood Intervention: Lessons from the Chicago-Based Child-Parent Center Program and Implications for Public Health
Dr. Reynolds will present findings from the Chicago Longitudinal Study, a federally-funded investigation of the effects of an early and extensive childhood intervention in Chicago called the Child-Parent Center Program. The program provides educational and family support services to children from preschool to third grade. This study began in 1986. Findings from this study highlight the short- and long-term effects of early childhood intervention including the scholastic and social development of children and the contributions of family and school to children’s behavior. Dr. Reynolds will discuss the cost-effectiveness of this program and also share his thoughts about the implications of these study findings for the future of head start and public health.

PLENARY IV: Sex and HIV/AIDS Education Programs for Teens: What Works, What Doesn't
Dr. Kirby will summarize the important results from Emerging Answers, a review of almost one hundred studies of sex and HIV/AIDS education for young people. Some of these programs reduced teen sexual risk-taking behavior, while others did not. Particularly effective programs will be discussed and the ten characteristics that distinguish programs that changed behavior from those programs that did not change behavior will be highlighted. Other programs for young people that have strong research supporting their effectiveness will also be discussed.

Hotel & Transportation

The Hilton Garden Inn, 10 East Grand Avenue, is located in the heart of the new River North area, just two blocks west of Michigan Avenue. Nordstrom, North Bridge Shops, ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Café, Rock-n-Roll McDonalds, Rain Forest Café are just a few of the attractions located within blocks of the hotel. Room rates are $129.00 for single/double occupancy (14.9% sales tax). To ensure this rate, please call the hotel for reservations prior to April 23, 2004 (312-595-0000, mention the MCH Leadership Conference). The Hilton Garden Inn is wheelchair-accessible; special accommodations for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request. Please visit their website at www.chicagodowntownnorth.gardeninn.com. To find out detailed information about Chicago including dining, nightlife, attractions, and family activities and how to get around Chicago please visit www.metromix.com.

Transportation To/From Hotel
The Hilton Garden Inn is located 16 miles from O’Hare International Airport and 12 miles from Midway Airport. Travel between the airport/hotel: Courtesy Bus ($12-15), Limousine ($40-$45), Rental Car ($50), Subway/Rail ($1.50), Taxi ($27-30). To plan your route via subway, please visit CTA’s website at www.yourcta.com. Airport Express Shuttle also serves the Hilton Garden Inn. For more information and to plan your route, visit Airport Express at www.airportexpress.com.

Parking
Valet Overnight Parking at the hotel, with in-and-out privileges, is available for $25/day. Self-parking is available for $20/day. Additional parking ranging from $14-$20/day (no in-and-out privileges) is available at a number of other nearby parking garages. Rates depend on the time you enter the garage and the time you leave. Several garages offer Early Bird Specials.