Rebecca Gokiert
Biographic Data
| ID | 189176 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Rebecca Gokiert |
| GIVEN NAMES | Rebecca |
| FAMILY NAME | Gokiert |
| SIGNATURE | GOKIERT R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Alberta |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7472-9545 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 7 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
From crisis to care at a refugee community health centre
Forcibly displaced refugees often face unmet health needs and barriers to care after resettlement. In response, many resettlement countries have established specialized health clinics and centres. However, evidence on refugees’ healthcare experiences and outcomes within these diverse models of care remains limited. This study examines refugee patients’ experiences and perceived outcomes at the New Canadians Health Centre, a specialized refugee co…
Integrating oral health in school health programs in Alberta, Canada
Oral health is linked to children’s well-being and academic performance, yet its integration into school health programs remains limited. This study explored perspectives of school health promotion professionals in Alberta, Canada, on challenges and enablers to integrating oral health into existing school health programs. Using a qualitative description methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 health promotion professionals,…
A Scoping Review of Refugee Children’s Health Conditions, Outcomes, and Measures Used in Refugee-Serving Public Health Centres/Clinics in Canada
Refugee-serving primary health centres/clinics (PHCs) provide culturally safe, integrated care for refugee children, yet little is known about how their health conditions and outcomes are assessed. This scoping review examines the current literature on the health conditions and outcomes of refugee children aged 0-5 years and how they are measured in refugee-serving PHCs in Canada. In partnership with the New Canadians Health Centre and guided by …
A Community-Based Participatory Approach to the Development, Validation, and Use of the Evaluation Capacity Needs Assessment (Ecna) for the Early Childhood Field
Building the evaluation capacity (EC) of individuals and organizations in early childhood and broader social-serving fields is key to enhancing their practices, programs, and policies and maximizing the impact of limited resources. While access to psychometrically valid tools for strengthening EC is growing, many existing tools were not developed specifically for early childhood. This paper details a community-based participatory approach to deve…
A principles-based community health center for addressing refugee health
The provision of timely and comprehensive healthcare is a fundamental aspect of resettlement for refugees, who often experience critical unmet health needs. In Canada, this includes connecting refugees with primary care providers to treat acute health conditions, as well as to provide longitudinal and preventative care. However, refugee access to healthcare is often complicated by numerous barriers, such as difficulty navigating health services, …
Co-developing culturally grounded early years programming with Indigenous communities
Although early childhood programs designed for Indigenous children exist in Canada and elsewhere, there remains a need for program development and implementation to be sustainable, evidence-based, and foundationally grounded in (rather than peripherally inclusive of) Indigenous cultures and languages. Overall, little is known about how to develop sustainable, communitygrounded early childhood programs that address the structural inequities and he…
Evaluation Capacity Building
There is a growing need for evaluation capacity building (ECB) in community organizations; however, learning opportunities for both organizations and post-secondary students are limited, particularly opportunities to apply evaluation concepts in practice. This practice note describes four initiatives and highlights the ways in which experiential learning can be leveraged through community-university collaborations to provide responsive, hands-on …
Strengthening Evaluation Capacity Building Practice Through Competition
Despite the attention evaluation capacity building (ECB) has received over the past several decades, surprisingly few opportunities for learning about ECB exist. In response to this need, the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, in collaboration with ECB scholars across Canada, created a case competition focused exclusively on ECB—the Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge (EC 3 ). Twenty individuals interested in learning about ECB…
Learning From Evaluation Data
Evaluation competitions, a process that has existed for more than three decades, are a mechanism to promote program evaluation and enhance evaluation capacity. Integrating these competitions into evaluation education extends traditional teaching models beyond theory-dense learning contexts. This practice note delves into the Evaluation Case Competition Challenge (EC 3 ), a case challenge designed to advance knowledge on evaluation capacity buildi…
E-Eval
Evaluation capacity building (ECB) initiatives are important for supporting social-serving organizations in using evaluation to demonstrate and improve the effectiveness of their programs. In this practice note, the authors present their experience developing and implementing E-Eval, a responsive community-based course for building evaluation capacity in Alberta’s mentoring sector. In order to support others in taking a similar approach to buildi…
Meeting the Challenge
This practice note shares key learnings from the inaugural Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge (EC 3 ) held by the Max Bell School of Public Policy in April 2023. The purpose is to give readers an opportunity to consider how to shape evaluation capacity in general and within a municipal context. Evaluation capacity building (ECB) is a multifaceted concept to support shared learning about and understanding of evaluation. Strands of learning about E…
Mapping Evaluation Use
Factors influencing evaluation use has been a primary concern for evaluators. However, little is known about the current conceptualizations of evaluation use including what counts as use, what efforts encourage use, and how to measure use. This article identifies enablers and constraints to evaluation use based on a scoping review of literature published since 2009 ( n = 47). A fulsome examination to map factors influencing evaluation use identif…
Staff perspectives on the successful families program model
Providing support to address the systemic barriers that teen families face is a logical step toward improving their health and well-being. One area where teen families face multiple obstacles is accessing safe, secure, affordable housing. This paper describes a unique, innovative model of supportive housing developed in combination with wraparound supports, provided to teen parents in Edmonton, Canada. As part of a larger community-based particip…
Creating community learning for empowerment groups
Empowering communities to respond to humanitarian crises is one of the core principles of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. In response to large numbers of refugees resettling in Canada from Syria as they fled its civil war, a community-based research partnership was initiated to examine the psychosocial needs and adaptation processes of Syrian individuals and families. In this article, we introduce Community Learning for Empowerme…
A collaborative, school-based wraparound support intervention for fostering children and youth's mental health
Early mental health interventions are needed in response to a growing mental health crisis among children and youth. Schools are promising sites for early intervention because they have existing infrastructure for engaging with students. Specifically, collaborative initiatives involving community partnerships allow schools to leverage shared resources to deliver mental health support. However, more research is needed to guide the development of e…
Culturally responsive evaluation
Responding to the Evaluation Capacity Needs of the Early Childhood Field
For this special issue, our article provides an illustrative example of data integration in a complex mixed methods design. It advances three mixed insights about the evaluation capacity needs of the early childhood field generated by using a mixed methods community-based participatory research (MMCBPR) design. We integrated quantitative findings from an evaluation capacity needs assessment tool with qualitative themes from community consultation…
Evaluation in the field of early childhood development
Children’s early experiences and environments profoundly impact their development; therefore, ensuring the well-being of children through effective supports and services is critical. Evaluation is a tool that can be used to understand the effectiveness of early childhood development (ECD) practices, programs, and policies. A deeper understanding of the evaluation landscape in the ECD field is needed at this time. The purpose of this scoping revie…
Life beyond Refuge
Canada is internationally recognized as a leader in welcoming refugee newcomers. However, there is limited evidence about how well refugee newcomers fare after arriving in Canada, and the effectiveness of resettlement services and supports. A system theory of change was developed to guide assessments of complexity across the refugee-serving sector that seek to investigate refugees’ lived experiences and evaluate practice across multiple levels. T…
Toward an Evidence-Based Approach to Building Evaluation Capacity
Organizations are required to evaluate their programs for both learning and accountability purposes, which has increased the need to build their internal evaluation capacity. A remaining challenge is access to tools that lead to valid evidence supporting internal capacity development. The authors share practical insights from the development and use of the Evaluation Capacity Needs Assessment tool and framework and implications for using its data…
UEval
This practice note describes the unique features of, and lessons learned from, UEval, an innovative one-week “evaluation institute” at the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta. This initiative responds to an identified community and university need to provide contextual and socially relevant evaluation-focused educational opportunities to learners across disciplines and sectors. UEval is guided by principles of participatory and experienti…
Using Photovoice to Explore Teen Parents’ Perspectives on Raising Healthy Children
Given the unique challenges and strengths of teen parents, specialized supports are needed to help teen families reach their full potential. This study explored, from the perspectives of teen parents involved in a supportive housing program, what helps teen parents raise their children in healthy ways. Aligned with a community-based participatory research approach, we used the photovoice method. Two 6-month rounds of photovoice were conducted, du…
Using developmental evaluation and community-based participatory research to develop a model of supportive housing
Aboriginal Perspectives on Social-Emotional Competence in Early Childhood
Gaining an understanding of how best to support the development of Aboriginal children is important in promoting positive social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to identify the most important elements of healthy development for Aboriginal children, with a particular focus on social-emotional development. Focus groups were conducted with 37 Aboriginal Canadians, including parents, service provider…
Community Setting as a Determinant of Health for Indigenous Peoples Living in the Prairie Provinces of Canada
Indigenous Peoples in Canada experience disproportionately high tuberculosis (TB) rates, and those living in the Prairie Provinces have the most advanced TB presentations (Health Canada, 2009). The community settings (i.e., urban centres, non-remote reserves, remote reserves, and isolated reserves) where Indigenous Peoples live can help explain high TB rates. Through qualitative description, we identify how community setting influenced Indigenous…
Cultural Brokering with Syrian Refugee Families with Young Children
Using Photovoice to Explore Teen Parents’ Perspectives on Raising Healthy Children
Given the unique challenges and strengths of teen parents, specialized supports are needed to help teen families reach their full potential. This study explored, from the perspectives of teen parents involved in a supportive housing program, what helps teen parents raise their children in healthy ways. Aligned with a community-based participatory research approach, we used the photovoice method. Two 6-month rounds of photovoice were conducted, du…
Life beyond Refuge
Canada is internationally recognized as a leader in welcoming refugee newcomers. However, there is limited evidence about how well refugee newcomers fare after arriving in Canada, and the effectiveness of resettlement services and supports. A system theory of change was developed to guide assessments of complexity across the refugee-serving sector that seek to investigate refugees’ lived experiences and evaluate practice across multiple levels. T…
Wâhkôhtowin
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a promising decolonizing approach to health and social sciences research with First Nation Peoples. In CBPR, the use of a community advisory committee can act as an anchoring site for trusting reciprocal relationships, collaborative decision-making, and co-learning and co-creation. Through a qualitative case study, this article illustrates the collective experiences of a well-established, multidisc…
Wâhkôhtowin
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a promising decolonizing approach to health and social sciences research with First Nation Peoples. In CBPR, the use of a community advisory committee can act as an anchoring site for trusting reciprocal relationships, collaborative decision-making, and co-learning and co-creation. Through a qualitative case study, this article illustrates the collective experiences of a well-established, multidisc…
Aboriginal Perspectives on Social-Emotional Competence in Early Childhood
Gaining an understanding of how best to support the development of Aboriginal children is important in promoting positive social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to identify the most important elements of healthy development for Aboriginal children, with a particular focus on social-emotional development. Focus groups were conducted with 37 Aboriginal Canadians, including parents, service provider…
Community Setting as a Determinant of Health for Indigenous Peoples Living in the Prairie Provinces of Canada
Indigenous Peoples in Canada experience disproportionately high tuberculosis (TB) rates, and those living in the Prairie Provinces have the most advanced TB presentations (Health Canada, 2009). The community settings (i.e., urban centres, non-remote reserves, remote reserves, and isolated reserves) where Indigenous Peoples live can help explain high TB rates. Through qualitative description, we identify how community setting influenced Indigenous…
Cultural Brokering with Syrian Refugee Families with Young Children
Using developmental evaluation and community-based participatory research to develop a model of supportive housing
Toward an Evidence-Based Approach to Building Evaluation Capacity
Organizations are required to evaluate their programs for both learning and accountability purposes, which has increased the need to build their internal evaluation capacity. A remaining challenge is access to tools that lead to valid evidence supporting internal capacity development. The authors share practical insights from the development and use of the Evaluation Capacity Needs Assessment tool and framework and implications for using its data…
UEval
This practice note describes the unique features of, and lessons learned from, UEval, an innovative one-week “evaluation institute” at the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta. This initiative responds to an identified community and university need to provide contextual and socially relevant evaluation-focused educational opportunities to learners across disciplines and sectors. UEval is guided by principles of participatory and experienti…
Using Photovoice to Explore Teen Parents’ Perspectives on Raising Healthy Children
Given the unique challenges and strengths of teen parents, specialized supports are needed to help teen families reach their full potential. This study explored, from the perspectives of teen parents involved in a supportive housing program, what helps teen parents raise their children in healthy ways. Aligned with a community-based participatory research approach, we used the photovoice method. Two 6-month rounds of photovoice were conducted, du…
Responding to the Evaluation Capacity Needs of the Early Childhood Field
For this special issue, our article provides an illustrative example of data integration in a complex mixed methods design. It advances three mixed insights about the evaluation capacity needs of the early childhood field generated by using a mixed methods community-based participatory research (MMCBPR) design. We integrated quantitative findings from an evaluation capacity needs assessment tool with qualitative themes from community consultation…
Evaluation in the field of early childhood development
Children’s early experiences and environments profoundly impact their development; therefore, ensuring the well-being of children through effective supports and services is critical. Evaluation is a tool that can be used to understand the effectiveness of early childhood development (ECD) practices, programs, and policies. A deeper understanding of the evaluation landscape in the ECD field is needed at this time. The purpose of this scoping revie…
Life beyond Refuge
Canada is internationally recognized as a leader in welcoming refugee newcomers. However, there is limited evidence about how well refugee newcomers fare after arriving in Canada, and the effectiveness of resettlement services and supports. A system theory of change was developed to guide assessments of complexity across the refugee-serving sector that seek to investigate refugees’ lived experiences and evaluate practice across multiple levels. T…
Creating community learning for empowerment groups
Empowering communities to respond to humanitarian crises is one of the core principles of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. In response to large numbers of refugees resettling in Canada from Syria as they fled its civil war, a community-based research partnership was initiated to examine the psychosocial needs and adaptation processes of Syrian individuals and families. In this article, we introduce Community Learning for Empowerme…
A collaborative, school-based wraparound support intervention for fostering children and youth's mental health
Early mental health interventions are needed in response to a growing mental health crisis among children and youth. Schools are promising sites for early intervention because they have existing infrastructure for engaging with students. Specifically, collaborative initiatives involving community partnerships allow schools to leverage shared resources to deliver mental health support. However, more research is needed to guide the development of e…
Culturally responsive evaluation
A principles-based community health center for addressing refugee health
The provision of timely and comprehensive healthcare is a fundamental aspect of resettlement for refugees, who often experience critical unmet health needs. In Canada, this includes connecting refugees with primary care providers to treat acute health conditions, as well as to provide longitudinal and preventative care. However, refugee access to healthcare is often complicated by numerous barriers, such as difficulty navigating health services, …
Co-developing culturally grounded early years programming with Indigenous communities
Although early childhood programs designed for Indigenous children exist in Canada and elsewhere, there remains a need for program development and implementation to be sustainable, evidence-based, and foundationally grounded in (rather than peripherally inclusive of) Indigenous cultures and languages. Overall, little is known about how to develop sustainable, communitygrounded early childhood programs that address the structural inequities and he…
Evaluation Capacity Building
There is a growing need for evaluation capacity building (ECB) in community organizations; however, learning opportunities for both organizations and post-secondary students are limited, particularly opportunities to apply evaluation concepts in practice. This practice note describes four initiatives and highlights the ways in which experiential learning can be leveraged through community-university collaborations to provide responsive, hands-on …
Strengthening Evaluation Capacity Building Practice Through Competition
Despite the attention evaluation capacity building (ECB) has received over the past several decades, surprisingly few opportunities for learning about ECB exist. In response to this need, the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, in collaboration with ECB scholars across Canada, created a case competition focused exclusively on ECB—the Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge (EC 3 ). Twenty individuals interested in learning about ECB…
Learning From Evaluation Data
Evaluation competitions, a process that has existed for more than three decades, are a mechanism to promote program evaluation and enhance evaluation capacity. Integrating these competitions into evaluation education extends traditional teaching models beyond theory-dense learning contexts. This practice note delves into the Evaluation Case Competition Challenge (EC 3 ), a case challenge designed to advance knowledge on evaluation capacity buildi…
E-Eval
Evaluation capacity building (ECB) initiatives are important for supporting social-serving organizations in using evaluation to demonstrate and improve the effectiveness of their programs. In this practice note, the authors present their experience developing and implementing E-Eval, a responsive community-based course for building evaluation capacity in Alberta’s mentoring sector. In order to support others in taking a similar approach to buildi…
Meeting the Challenge
This practice note shares key learnings from the inaugural Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge (EC 3 ) held by the Max Bell School of Public Policy in April 2023. The purpose is to give readers an opportunity to consider how to shape evaluation capacity in general and within a municipal context. Evaluation capacity building (ECB) is a multifaceted concept to support shared learning about and understanding of evaluation. Strands of learning about E…
Mapping Evaluation Use
Factors influencing evaluation use has been a primary concern for evaluators. However, little is known about the current conceptualizations of evaluation use including what counts as use, what efforts encourage use, and how to measure use. This article identifies enablers and constraints to evaluation use based on a scoping review of literature published since 2009 ( n = 47). A fulsome examination to map factors influencing evaluation use identif…
Staff perspectives on the successful families program model
Providing support to address the systemic barriers that teen families face is a logical step toward improving their health and well-being. One area where teen families face multiple obstacles is accessing safe, secure, affordable housing. This paper describes a unique, innovative model of supportive housing developed in combination with wraparound supports, provided to teen parents in Edmonton, Canada. As part of a larger community-based particip…
From crisis to care at a refugee community health centre
Forcibly displaced refugees often face unmet health needs and barriers to care after resettlement. In response, many resettlement countries have established specialized health clinics and centres. However, evidence on refugees’ healthcare experiences and outcomes within these diverse models of care remains limited. This study examines refugee patients’ experiences and perceived outcomes at the New Canadians Health Centre, a specialized refugee co…
Integrating oral health in school health programs in Alberta, Canada
Oral health is linked to children’s well-being and academic performance, yet its integration into school health programs remains limited. This study explored perspectives of school health promotion professionals in Alberta, Canada, on challenges and enablers to integrating oral health into existing school health programs. Using a qualitative description methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 health promotion professionals,…
Political science (20 works) · Sociology (18 works) · Evaluation and Performance Assessment (13 works) · Psychology (13 works) · Engineering (11 works) · Participatory action research (11 works) · Citizen journalism (10 works) · Computer Science (8 works) · Medicine (8 works) · Public relations (8 works)