Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR) has partnered with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct Phase II evaluation of the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST). BEST is a comprehensive, longitudinal place-based initiative designed to support children and families in the early years to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

The evaluation design includes process, impact/outcome, and ethnographic studies. During the design phase, DIR participated in listening sessions and stakeholder meetings to ensure that the data collection design and procedures supported diversity, equity and inclusion.  DIR is supporting the development of the data collection plan and procedures and assisting in sample recruitment.

A series of surveys, interviews, and assessment will be conducted at baseline, 18 months and 30 months with two birth cohorts (1,260 families) and two kindergarten cohorts (1,100).  A sub-sample of 40 families across cohorts will be followed for 30 months as part of the ethnographic study.