Together, we can improve the lives of more individuals and the well-being of more communities.
Diffusion Associates
Innovative ideas often fail to produce effective interventions that then spread to those in need. When spread does occur, implementation may not be sustained or local adaptation renders the innovation ineffective.
We can change that. Diffusion Associates works with social innovators and sponsors committed to designing and scaling out effective interventions.
Amplifying your impact by bringing social innovations to scale.
About
Designing, Evaluating, and Scaling Interventions
Drawing from expertise in developmental evaluation, implementation science, and diffusion of innovations, we work with you to develop, implement, and scale out social innovations.
Designing for Diffusion
Innovation characteristics shape how new practices are perceived by adopters. Is the innovation too costly or complex, are components are well-defined, and which aspects can be adapted?
We redesign innovations to boost adoption and accelerate scaling.
Implementation Analysis
Adapting innovations can sustain implementation but may alter program impact. What adaptations occur, and how do they affect outcomes? Why do adopters discontinue use?
We help innovators create guidance to ensure wider reach with consistent benefits.
Scaling Strategies
Scaling out requires strategic planning. Should an organization expand, franchise, or partner with networks? Does the innovation need strict fidelity, or can it be adapted? Are the organization and adopters ready?
We create scaling strategies aligned with the values and resources of all stakeholders.
Evaluation Planning
Effectiveness may change as innovations and populations evolve. Do outcomes remain consistent after scaling, or vary across groups? How can innovators and implementers share evaluation duties?
We design collaborative evaluations to monitor fidelity, adaptation, and effectiveness.
A Well-Rounded Portfolio
Projects & Clients
In addition to the selected projects and clients listed below, Diffusion Associates team members have individually worked on a variety of projects with many clients including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and numerous other State and Federal agencies and nonprofits.
ECHO Implementation: Guidance from the Field (FAQs)
Learn from the insights of 25 Implementation Fellows and interviews with 160 ECHO leaders and implementers across 35 ECHO hubs and 62 ECHO programs. Our FAQs provide guidance on organizing, funding, recruiting participants and experts, and designing and assessing ECHO programs. This work was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Strategies to Scale Out Social Programs
Scaling what works is a crucial component of systems change. How to scale (“pathways”), whom to involve (“partnerships’), and retention of program quality (“fidelity”) are three strategic decisions that are critical to the scaling out of effective social programs. This study explores these strategic decisions, how they are related, and how they can work in concert. Funded by the Wallace Foundation.
Project ECHO: Review and Research Agenda
This document presents Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), outlining its essential elements and reviewing its impact. We conclude by proposing avenues for further evaluation and research aimed at enhancing its effectiveness as it expands its reach. Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Rehumanizing Math Early ON
Supporting PK-Grade 2 teachers in creating and implementing math learning opportunities authentic to the lived experiences of young learners is the goal of Math Early On developed by Teachers Development Group (TDG). Using developmental evaluation, Diffusion Associates is working with TDG to design professional training for teachers working in rural and under resourced schools.
Project ECHO Implementation Profiles
Learn valuable insights on implementing Project ECHO from hubs that vary in size, maturity, focus and geography. These 34 ECHO Implementation Profiles delve into the ECHO adoption decision, defining and enacting ECHO principles, factors influencing implementing, and visions for the future. This work was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Building Bridges Initiative Cluster Evaluation
This multi-year $13.5 million project focused on developing nonprofit management education programs based on theory and practitioner experience. The corresponding multi-year cluster evaluation included formative evaluation of network development and innovation spread and a summative report of outcomes and impacts. A particular focus was on how academic nonprofit centers work. This work was funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
A Collaborative Approach
Our Team
Diffusion Associates takes a collaborative approach to work – you are part of our team. Diffusion Associates draws on the knowledge and expertise of colleagues across the country to ensure we have the right team to work with you.
R. Sam Larson
Diffusion Associates is led by R. Sam Larson (Ph.D., Michigan State University). Larson builds collaborative teams drawing on the strengths of researchers and practitioners from across the country. She has led and collaborated on numerous evaluations of educational and social service programs supported by funders such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the State of Michigan, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was on faculty at Ohio University and the University of Denver, an internal evaluator and knowledge management director in Kaiser Permanente, and an administrator at Michigan State University.
James W. Dearing
Diffusion Associates is co-led by Jim Dearing (Ph.D., University of Southern California). Dearing is the Brandt Endowed Professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. Dearing studies the strategic use of diffusion of innovation concepts to accelerate the spread of evidence-based practices, programs, and policies as a form of translational science. He has led and collaborated on multiple studies on the environment, health and education funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the State of Michigan.
Collaborators
Professor and Graduate Program Director at Baruch College with the City University of New York. Medved has expertise in qualitative methods and offers workshops in qualitative analysis. She has conducted in-depth interview-based research for the last two decades on issues of gender, work, and family.
Caryn Medved
Health Communication Specialist at The MITRE Corporation. Walling’s work explores mental health communication via mixed methodologies using quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Brandon Walling
Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Medicine, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, at Ohio University. Rao’s scholarly work focuses on cultural competence, diversity, inclusion in health care, and the strategic role of intercultural communication in creating healthy individuals and communities.
Nagesh Rao
Executive Director, Greater Well-Being. Ellis focuses on the role that relationships play in helping individuals and communities lead happier, healthier, more satisfied lives. Ellis specializes in coaching and effective relationship development and created myIPRM (My Important Personal Relationships Manager), an app that promotes intentional relationship building.
Linton Ellis
Contact Us
Let’s Be Thought Partners
If you’re seeking to improve the lives of more individuals and help more communities by scaling out an intervention(s), we are ready to talk.
Phone
303.907.3794