176: Evaluation Design for Multi-Strategy Rural Initiative

Population and economic declines in rural communities led to the closure of vital local institutions, leaving residents struggling with mental health concerns and few providers. IU is collaborating with 16 organizations to empower rural congregations as vital anchor institutions. IU will train clergy and deploy virtual resources for lay leaders and community members to respond to mental health and social challenges. The IU Southeast team will use evaluation theory, sociological expertise, appreciative inquiry, design thinking, and community economic development skills to develop implementation plans that build on community and IU assets. The team will present findings from the pilot to propose an improved evaluation design and gather feedback to strengthen the study's contributions to the evaluation literature.