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LifeSkills Training Implementation

Institute of Behavioral Science

LifeSkills Training (LST) Implementation Resources

The following resources are available to anyone wishing to implement the LST program or adapt these documents to fit another program.

Feasibility and Implementation

Guidelines and Checklists

The first step to successful program implementation is choosing sites that have the resources and commitment required to replicate the program with fidelity. After obtaining a completed application, an on-site feasibility visit with all key players helps a funder to determine whether the site has all the prerequisites in place that are necessary to properly implement a program. In addition, it is an opportunity for sites to provide information to local partners who will be involved in the program as well as anyone whose support is needed in order for the program to be a success.

Trainer/Trainee Evaluations

Training Evaluation

Training Evaluation tools collect information from both the trainer and trainees regarding how the training went overall, any challenges that emerged, and whether trainees felt it adequately prepared them to implement the program.

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance (TA) is offered to help address challenges to implement the program with fidelity. Evaluation forms are used to collect information from both the trainer and trainees regarding whether the TA session helped address the implementation challenges faced. These evaluation tools are similar to those used for trainings.

Process Evaluation and Pre-Post Measures

Process Evaluation

Process evaluations assess the delivery of a program by describing and documenting how well the program is being implemented, or the “integrity” or “fidelity” of the implementation, in comparison with the program’s stated intent. It primarily describes what services were provided to whom, the intensity and duration of services provided (dosage), and what problems were experienced. There is generally an assessment of the quality of the implementation as well as its content.

For a program such as LifeSkills Training (LST), this involves documenting whether the program is being implemented with the appropriate student population, trained staff, required number and content of sessions or activities, in the intended order and for the required number of hours, and through use of the appropriate teaching techniques and materials. CU Boulder uses the following forms to document the implementation of LST.

Implementation Fidelity Checklist forms (Observations) are used to determine if the instructor is making all core lesson points and using the interactive teaching styles, which are central to the LST program.

Pre-Post Measures

A rigorous full-scale outcome evaluation to determine the effectiveness of a program can be very expensive. A cost-effective alternative is to combine a process evaluation (measuring program implementation quality) with collection of pre-post data (pre-test before the intervention and post-test after the intervention to determine if any changes occurred). 

Program Sustainability

Calculator

Schools can use the Online Cost Calculator to help determine approximately how much money is required to fully implement the LifeSkills Training program.

Webinars

The Finance Project conducted a series of webinars to provide program sustainability assistance to schools/districts implementing the LST program:

  • Overview of the Sustainability Planning Framework and Process (PDF)
  • Using the Self-Assessment Tool to Benchmark Progress and Identify Priorities (PDF)
  • Developing a Vision and Results Orientation (PDF)
  • Creating a Strategic Financing Plan (PDF)
  • Building Organizational Capacity and Community Support (PDF)
  • Developing and Writing a Sustainability Plan (PDF)

The Program Sustainability Assessment Tool is a free tool to rate and understand a system’s capacity to sustain a program across eight domains: environmental support, funding stability, partnerships, organizational capacity, program evaluation, program adaptation, communications, and strategic planning. This resource also helps identify strengths and weaknesses with respect to sustainability, and provides guidance on framing a message to bolster support.