Definition
Evaluation is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, policies, or organizations and to provide recommendations to programs to improve their implementation efforts (Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention).
Types of Program Evaluation (CDC)
- Formative evaluation: Assess whether a program, policy, or organizational approach is feasible, appropriate, and acceptable before it is fully implemented.
- Process/Implementation evaluation: Assess how well program implementation followed the original plan.
- Outcome evaluation: Measures how well a program, policy, or organization has achieved its intended outcomes.
- Impact evaluation compares the outcomes of a program, policy, or organization to estimates of what the outcomes would have been without it. It usually seeks to determine whether the activities caused the observed outcomes.
- Economic evaluation: Examines programmatic effects relative to program costs, suing cost analysis, cost-benefit analysis etc.
Framework for Program Evaluation
PESO uses the following six essential steps of the “CDC Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health,” to evaluate ADH programs.
- Assessment of context
- Program description
- Evaluation questions and design
- Credible evidence or result
- Use results to support conclusions
- Act on findings
ADH Programs Currently Evaluated by PESO
Public Health Infrastructure Grant (CDC-OE22-2203)
Promotes the well-being of the public health workforce and enhances organizational competency with a focus on the agency’s foundational capabilities.
Sexual Violence Prevention Grant (CDC-CE24-0027):
It aims to enhance the capacity to facilitate and monitor the implementation of sexual violence prevention programs, practices, and policies.
Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Grant (CDC-CE24-2204):
Provides comprehensive public health approaches to prevent suicide.
SAMHSA 988 Capacity Improvement Project Grant:
Increase collaborations to improve the ‘answer rate’ at the ADH Arkansas Lifeline Call Center.
Resources
- CDC Program Evaluation Framework
- Program Evaluation Tip Sheet: Reach and Impact
- Program Evaluation Tip Sheet: Evaluating Training Events
- Logic Model: (needs content)
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Logic Model for program evaluation: (needs content)
- National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
- Developing an Effective Logic Model: PowerPoint Presentation
