Ms Marie Delaney

Overview

Marie Delaney is an experienced researcher with a professional practice in evaluation, qualitative research, consultation and facilitation. Marie has expertise in the design and conduct of research and evaluation, project planning and management. She has worked as a researcher and evaluator for over 17 years and uses high-level conceptual and analytical skills to analyse complex issues, formulate evaluative arguments and identify solutions. As a senior consultant at ARTD (1997 – 2009), Marie was the principal researcher on a wide range of projects for clients from the commonwealth, state and non-government sectors using a range of research and evaluation methods. Marie has also facilitated a range of change management processes with agencies using appreciative inquiry and non-violent communication (NVC) and sensitivity to group processes. She successfully manages client relationships using high level communication and negotiation skills.

Research Summary

Marie has expertise in research and evaluation in the human services sector including crime prevention and drug and alcohol programs, services for people with a disability and their carers, and youth services. She has advanced skills in participatory methods, innovative techniques such as appreciative inquiry, fluency in stakeholder consultations and group processes, cross cultural and Indigenous perspectives. At SPRC Marie is project managing the Shared Care Parenting: the implications of the changes to the 2006 Family Law Reforms research project for the Australian Government Attorney General's Department.

Publications

Recent publications

Reports

Brooks.M., Davies.G., Delaney, M., Merlene.M., Hawkins.A., Maloney.J., (2008) Evaluation of the memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Community Services and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care on Children and Young Persons with a Disability, ARTD report for the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

Delaney, M., Wright. T., (1997) Plaintiffs’ satisfaction with dispute resolution processes: trial, arbitration, pretrial conference and mediation, Law Foundation of New South Wales on behalf of the Justice Research Centre.

Worthington.D., Delaney, M., (1995) Awards made under the Motor Accidents Act 1988, The Law Foundation of NSW on behalf of the Civil Justice Research Centre.

Delaney, M., (1994) Accommodating people with a disability: a study of the accommodation needs of people with a disability who live with their ageing parents or carers, Disability Council of NSW.

Journal article:

Delaney, M. (1995), 'Some characteristics of personal injury claims in the New South Wales District Court (1995)', Civil issues, bulletin of the Civil Justice Research Centre, 8 (Sept).

Recent conference presentations and workshops:

Delaney, M., Johansson. K. (2009), 'Quality monitoring data', Australasian Evaluation Society regional workshop.

Delaney, M., (2008), 'Evaluation capacity building in Australia – does it add value and for whom?', Australasian Evaluation Society conference.

Delaney, M., (2007), 'Factors influencing the use of appreciative Inquiry in evaluation practice: reflections from the field', Australasian Evaluation Society conference.

Delaney, M., Fisher. K., and Milne. C., (2007), 'Finding the evaluation theory roots in your practice', Australasian Evaluation Society regional workshop.

Delaney, M., Fisher. K., and Rudland. S., (2006), 'Making judgements in evaluation: reflecting on practices and processes', Australasian Evaluation Society regional workshop.

Delaney, M., (2005), 'The use of appreciative inquiry in evaluation', Australasian Evaluation Society conference.

Other Information

Recent projects:
As Senior Consultant at ARTD, Marie managed and was principal evaluator on the following projects:

Evaluation of the Self Managed Model
(Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, 2009)
The Self-Managed Model is one of the three new service types introduced as part of the reform of disability services in NSW. The evaluation reviewed the outcomes of the model for young people with a disability. ARTD used focus groups with clients and their families, a review of the monitoring data and stakeholder interviews.

Evaluation of social inclusion frail aged projects
(Lifeline Australia, 2009)
The purpose of the consultancy was to advise Lifeline Australia in the design of the social re-engagement trial programs targeting older Australians and to independently evaluate the two trials. Methods included a literature review, focus groups with volunteers involved in the telephone support, interviews with participants, a review of the monitoring data and other stakeholder interviews.

Initial review of PlayConnect
(FaHCSIA, 2009)
The Australian government has committed $190 million over four years to deliver the Helping Children with Autism Package and PlayConnect Playgroups is a key component of the initiative. ARTD conducted an initial review of the program to advise on its implementation and will design an evaluation framework for the broader evaluation.

Evaluation of the New Pathways Residential Treatment Program
(Department of Community Services, 2008/09)
The New Pathways program offers residential treatment for male adolescents with problematic sexual offending behaviours. The evaluation, which commenced in April 2008, was both formative and summative. Evaluation methods included file reviews, interviews with young people and their families, stakeholder interviews and a cost analysis.

Evaluation of the Suicide Bereavement Support Group (SBSG) Best Practice Project (Lifeline, 2009)
ARTD conducted a formative evaluation of the processes for training facilitators to run SBSGs; and an impact evaluation on the effectiveness of the standards, best practice guidelines and facilitator training. Evaluation methods included observations of the training, interviews with trainee facilitators, trainers, Lifeline Centre Managers and others, and a survey of SBSG participants.

Care Circles review of methods and instruments
(Department of Community Services, 2008)
Care Circles is an alternative court process for Aboriginal children at risk being trailed in Nowra NSW. The NSW Department of Community Services engaged ARTD to review the project’s proposed evaluation framework and advise on any additional data collection.

Evaluation of the Long Tan Bursary Scheme
(Department of Veterans' Affairs, 2008-09)
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs established this Scheme to defray the costs of establishing tertiary education for the children of Vietnam veterans, who may have suffered as a result of their father’s war-related disabilities. The evaluation reviewed the Scheme’s management and administration processes and procedures and recommend an efficient and resourceful model for the future management of the Scheme. The evaluation methods included a review of administrative and financial data, interviews with key stakeholders and a comparison to other similar schemes.

Evaluation of the Housing NSW Youth Scholarships Program
(Housing NSW, 2008)
This program supports students living in social housing undertaking senior high school education by providing financial assistance to stay in school or TAFE. The evaluation examined the academic and social benefits of the program, the effectiveness of the program’s operations and the partnership between Housing NSW and the NSW Department of Education. Research methods included a survey of schools, a review of documents and interviews with key stakeholders, including students.

The Benevolent Society
(The Benevolent Society, 2007)
ARTD worked with the managers and staff of The Benevolent Society’s South West Sydney services to facilitate a discussion about the structure for South West services. Appreciative Inquiry methodology was used to frame a series of workshops with staff and managers to imagine and design affordable options for change to the organisational structure.

Evaluation of the DJJ Pacifica Program
(Department of Juvenile Justice, 2007)
This program was developed by the DJJ Metropolitan Region and piloted and implemented in a limited number of Juvenile Justice Centres and Community Service offices. ARTD conducted an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the program, with a particular focus on the extent to which the program engaged young offenders and reduced their risk of re-offending. Methods for the evaluation included a pre and post survey of the young people involved, case studies, interviews with young people, their families and other stakeholders and a review of monitoring data.

Evaluation of the Rural Alcohol Diversion Program
(NSW Attorney General’s Department, 2007)
This pilot program in rural NSW is based on the successful Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program. The two year program is a pre plea program for defendants with primary alcohol problems appearing in Orange and Bathurst Local Courts. ARTD examined implementation of the program, effectiveness of the processes involved in program operation and the short-term impacts of the program. Evaluation methods included an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, client interviews and case studies and stakeholder meetings.

Evaluation of the Cannabis Clinic
(Greater Western Area Health Service, 2007)
GWAHS established the Cannabis Clinic in 2005. The Clinic offered a range of treatment services and education, training and early intervention to communities across the central west of NSW. ARTD conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Clinic with the aim of assessing the implementation of the Clinic across the GWAHS, the pattern of reach and immediate results with the target groups. Evaluation methods included interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and clients, case studies and an analysis of service data.

Evaluation of the Early Intervention with Families Affected by Illicit Drug Use (Department of Community Services, 2007)
The National Illicit Drugs Strategy provided one-off funding to ten projects targeting families where drug use is a problem. ARTD evaluated the program with the aim of learning from the projects about what works to support families where substance misuse is an issue. The main tasks for the evaluation were to develop an evaluation framework, work with funded projects to develop relevant measurement tools and processes, evaluate the effectiveness of each project and assess the value of the approach and model/s for future practice.

Police Cautioning under the Young Offenders Act
(NSW Police Force, 2006-2008)
This research project examined the effectiveness of police cautions in preventing youth re-offending and the factors affecting re-offending. ARTD used de-identified police data on re-offending amongst young people who have been cautioned, and a survey of police youth liaison officers.

Evaluation of a Cannabis Clinic
(Greater Western Area Health Service, 2006)
An evaluation of the effectiveness of a new Cannabis Clinic in rural NSW. The evaluation was formative and summative. It included interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and clients, and analysis of service data.

Evaluation of the Ja-Biah Bail Hostel
(NSW Department of Juvenile Justice, 2005)
ARTD undertook an assessment of the appropriateness and effectiveness of this service, including recommendations. We conducted community-based evaluations using quantitative and qualitative data, interviews and stakeholder meetings.

Evaluation of the Rural Alcohol Diversion Program
(NSW Attorney General’s Department, 2004–2007)
The Rural Alcohol Diversion Program is a regional program in rural NSW, based on the successful Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT). ARTD is using quantitative and qualitative data, client interviews and stakeholder meetings to evaluate this pilot program.

Evaluation of Multi-Purpose Drug and Alcohol Centres
(NSW Health, 2004)
An evaluation of the effectiveness of funding through the NSW Drug Summit to expand Drug and Alcohol services within two Area Health Services in regional NSW. The evaluation involved interviews with stakeholders, analysis of service data and document reviews.

Evaluation of Wellington Options
(NSW Attorney General’s Department, 2003/04)
A local program in rural NSW which arose from community concerns about drug-related crime and involved referrals from the magistrate and police to a treatment service managed by a health service. ARTD conducted community-based evaluations (Stages 1 and 2) using quantitative data, and qualitative methods involving interviews and stakeholder meetings.

Review of Graffiti Blasters Project
(Crime Prevention Division, NSW Attorney General’s Office, 2002)
An independent review of progress made in the NSW Graffiti Blasters Projects. ARTD based its report on documents from the participating councils, along with brief follow-up interviews where required. The report was used to inform decisions about the future of the program.

Marie was a member of the evaluation team on the following projects:

Review of DoCS-DADHC MoU
(NSW Department of Community Services, 2008)
The MoU between the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) and the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) on children and young persons with a disability, was signed in 2003. ARTD’s evaluation of the MoU considered how effective the MoU has been in facilitating cooperation between the two organisations, and identified improvements to the MoU. The evaluation used a range of methods including a survey of case managers, focus groups, workshops, review of documents and interviews.

Small-scale evaluation of the initial implementation of the Access, Allocation and Tenure Policy
(Housing NSW, 2007)
Housing NSW’s Reshaping Public Housing reforms included new public housing income eligibility limits and fixed term tenure arrangements. Housing NSW sought an initial evaluation to assess the extent to which implementation of these reforms was on track, and to identify any issues. The evaluation involved a review of a sample of housing applications, a survey of Housing NSW teams, case studies of four Housing NSW Areas and consultation with the NGO Reference Group.

Evaluation of Turnaround
(ACT Department of Family Services, 2005–2006)
This new initiative aims to improve outcomes for young people with high and complex support needs who are typically involved with multiple services (child protection, supported accommodation, heath, school, mental health, D&A, police, probation). The two-year evaluation encompassed outcomes for young people, costs of services, service delivery processes and the governance arrangements between partner agencies.

Innovative and Collaborative Youth Servicing Pilots (ICYS)
(Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, 2003–2004)
The evaluation documented good practice in building community capacity and effective and sustainable partnerships, as demonstrated by the 30 diverse projects around Australia. ARTD analysed reports, facilitated workshops with project coordinators and undertook case studies with a sample of communities.

Independent assessments of Reconnect services
(Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
This flagship $20 million program provides early intervention into youth homelessness around Australia, through 98 funded community-based services. The Department needs independent performance assessments for funding decisions. ARTD developed a risk management model and evaluation framework. An assessment of each service used client data, service reports, and interviews and field visits around Australia, including Centrelink officers, schools, care and protection agencies and NGOs.

Evaluation of mentoring for young offenders
(NSW Attorney General's Department and Department of Juvenile Justice, 1999–2002)
A program piloting a new intervention was implemented at a metropolitan and a rural site. The program was comprehensively evaluated to provide information for improving the delivery of the program over the early years, and for reaching conclusions about the program’s effectiveness and potential for replication. [Winner of the Australasian Evaluation Society’s Best Evaluation Study Award for 2002]

Evaluation of the Young Offenders Pilot Programme
(Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs 1999-2001)
A model of intensive coordinated support for young offenders was piloted in eleven community-based projects in conjunction with State/Territory juvenile justice agencies in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory. ARTD designed an evaluation framework and client data systems. The findings were based on project case studies, extensive field work, monitoring data, workshops with project managers, and stakeholder interviews. The final report outlined the model and identified best practice.