Enhancing Program Fidelity in a Virtual Environment

Before the start of the pandemic, addressing program fidelity usually occurred in person. Since programs now happen mostly online, it’s critical to continue to enhance program fidelity in a virtual environment.

How? Consider these ideas:

1. Examine ways to support your program’s purpose. What are the components that made your original program effective? Was it a set of values? Specific skill development for participants? Find ways to incorporate elements of effectiveness. A home-visiting program can still emphasize its original model but carry out the program in a virtual way.

2. Adapt to the virtual environment. Find creative ways for participants to engage in your program and participate well. Some online platforms have annotations, reactions, white boards, chats, and other features to encourage participation. Take advantage of these. Other develop creative programming, such as virtual gallery walks where participants present projects through screencasts (a digital video recording). Some have found that a blend of online programs and phone calls are important for keeping participants engaged.

3. Provide additional services. Those providing programs have found that the online program often is not enough. Many are now figuring out ways to provide mental health and support services, advise or coach, tutor, and connect participants with each other and other services. Some are also working on creating programs that are more active so that participants don’t sit in front of a screen the entire time, such as having participants show a meaningful item and talk about it or do a short exercise together.

If you’re interested in having ACET help you with your program’s fidelity, please contact us at info@acetinc.com. We offer a free initial consultation!