Money Mob Talk about an APY Land Financial Capability Program

Matrix on Board, Alice Springs

In association with Dr Anita Pryor, undertook an evaluation of the Money Mob Talkabout (MMT) program, delivered by MoB, and funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS). Matrix on Board has delivered MoneyMob Talkabout (MMT) services in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands since March 2012, including community money education programs and financial wellbeing support. Together these services span both upstream educative measures (such as teaching about money in schools, distributing games packs and providing group sessions at TAFE), and downstream support through financial case management in the APY Lands.

The evaluation included process (formative) and outcomes evaluation approaches and methods, using:

• theory of change and program logic models
• collaborative developmental evaluation approaches using participatory action research to draw out Aboriginal peoples’ stories about money
• innovative survey tools and interview techniques of APY residents, service providers and APY community leaders
• file audits of MMT services, and
• analysis of ABS Census data (2012 and 2014) to provide contextual population statistics of relevance to APY Land communities

Key evaluation activities were undertaken during field visits to APY Land communities over 2012 and 2014 which progressively:

• monitored the processes of MMT services by recording activities undertaken by MMT to guide improvements to service delivery
• examined the outcomes of MMT services by assessing the effects and effectiveness of services delivered
• built a body of knowledge about cultural approaches to money in APY Lands.