Evaluation of the Spark of Duval Intervention

The evaluation is conducting an individual randomized controlled trial to test the S.P.A.R.K. (Speaking to the Potential, Ability, and Resilience inside Kids) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Mentoring intervention with youth assigned to either the intervention or control group. As youth are referred to the study, grantee staff confirm their eligibility and then work with the youth's child welfare case manager to obtain youth assent and parental consent. Once approximately 40 to 60 youth are recruited, grantee staff selects a day for baseline survey administration. Survey administration and group assignment take place at the grantee agency and incentives to complete the survey are provided including a gift card and snacks. All eligible youth with a signed assent and informed consent forms are invited to attend the baseline survey administration and group assignment. The evaluation team generates random numbers using computer software, and the grantee staff uses these numbers to indicate youth assignment to the intervention or control group, after youth have completed the baseline survey.