Happy New Year From RDA
The New Year encourages us to look back at the past year and reminisce about all we’ve done. I will break with that tradition and begin by telling you about what RDA is planning to do in 2018.
Navigating Organizational Change
We all know how hard it is for us human beings to change. Our brains are hardwired to experience change as a threat to which we automatically respond with a flight or fight response. So it should be no surprise that when we try and change the ways in which an organization operates, we often experience a negative reaction.
AEA Conference Highlights Importance of Equity in Evaluation
As a consulting firm that strives for improvement by promoting continuous learning with our clients, it is critical for us to walk the talk. Earlier this month, RDA had the opportunity to attend and present at the American Evaluation Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As Thanksgiving approaches, we wanted to take the time to sit back and think about the things for which we are thankful. We are thankful for the opportunity to work each day on projects that will have lasting impact on our public systems.
North Bay Recovery Highlights Importance of Housing, Safety Net
Now that the tragically destructive fires in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties have been contained, the hard work of rebuilding will begin. At the forefront of this effort will be public workers from the cities and counties most affected.
Living Our Values During Uncertain Times
How we are able to communicate is often at the heart of how we can make change. For example, even the most thoroughly researched and well-documented recommendations for change do not implement themselves. People must implement change. Therefore, our work is to engage with people, including those that disagree with us.
Exploring Data Solutions to Enhance Adult Education
Over the past five years, adult education in California has experienced renewed public investment. The Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG) has led to the creation of regional consortia, which have allowed adult education agencies to partner and organize programs and services in a way that meets the specific needs of the region.
Using Risk Assessments Responsibly in Justice Systems
Across the country, justice system agencies and partners have embraced data-driven tools that predict an individual’s likelihood of committing a crime. To successfully implement these risk assessments—and ensure that these tools do not increase racial disparities within the justice system—agencies must establish a host of new processes…
Fresno Babies First Shows Benefits of Home Visiting Programs
Research has shown that home visiting programs can improve health outcomes for low-income mothers and their babies. Through these initiatives, public health nurses and health education assistants make home visits for pregnant women and new moms…
Creating Opportunities for Collaboration and Teamwork
One thing that I appreciate the most about working at RDA is the way that our work lends itself to teamwork and collaboration. Many of our projects focus on improving complex systems, and such endeavors could seem overwhelming if you had to go it alone.
Annual RDA Volunteer Day Supports Alameda County Community Food Bank
As a consulting firm committed to social justice, we spend each day working with our clients to best serve those in need. To further this commitment and to understand some of the hard work being done to support underserved populations, we dedicate a day out of our schedules to giving back to our community here in Oakland.
Remembering Bob
In June, Bob Bennett, RDA’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, died suddenly in a hit-and-run accident in Oakland. The past three months have been difficult, and Bob has never been far from our thoughts. This weekend is Bob’s memorial service and we wanted to use this space to share some memories about the type of person he was.
Modeling the Way with Energy and Enthusiasm
One of RDA’s core values is that we generate energy and enthusiasm as we encourage others by modeling the way. A core value is something that we are. It is not what we aspire to be. We live our core values in our work with our clients as well as our work and interactions with each other.
LA Public Defender’s Holistic Approach to Juvenile Cases Proves Effective
Recently, RDA completed a comprehensive evaluation of an innovative program that connects justice-involved youth to both legal and social services. The final report found that the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Client Assessment Recommendation and Evaluation (CARE) Project effectively reduces repeat contact with the juvenile justice system.
Report Highlights Best Practices in Probation
At a time when the number of people under probation supervision has grown to over 4 million people across the country, it is clear that many current practices need to change. A large body of research has demonstrated this need while recommending a shift toward rehabilitation and youth development with a focus on evidence-based practices and community-based services.