3095.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #5711

Community-based and policy-relevant evaluation

Elisabeth Dowling, Christina Andrews, and Midge Barrett. The Lewin Group, 3130 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800, Falls Church, VA 22042, 703-269-5500, edowling@lewin.com

The Lewin Group has developed specific expertise in the evaluation of community-based public health activity developed through extensive work with grant-making entitites. The Lewin Group’s model of evaluation is a systematic way to identify, view and evaluate community processes that are difficult to discern. The model also examines the policy impact of local, county, state and national initiatives. The Lewin Group looks beyond typical formative, summative or program evaluation models to produce data in real-time for use by policy makers.

1. Evaluation Methodology Design – This presentation explains the development of appropriate frameworks and indicators to track community-based activities across multiple projects and generate evidence of specific outcomes. It discusses the design of data collection instruments and key issues in developing quality data in complex circumstances.

2. Policy-Relevant Evaluation – This presentation describes how evaluators can analyze and synthesize the information describing specific activities and outcomes of community-based projects to inform policy.

3. Evaluation Tools/Techniques – This presentation describes the tools/techniques that capture the activities and perspectives of diverse respondents. The tools include logic modeling, expert interviewing, and Geographic Information Systems applications.

4. Evaluation in Minority Communities – This presentation discusses the complexities/challenges of conducting community-based evaluations, particularly in ethnic/racial minority communities. It explores the role of minority evaluators and discusses examples of efforts to increase the pipeline of evaluators.

5. Multi-Site Lessons – This presentation highlights examples of community-based efforts evaluated in multiple sites. It includes some lessons learned from national multi-site initiatives.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: articulate a model of evaluating community processes that are difficult to discern; recognize the value of applying this model of evaluation in informing policy decisions; list the evaluation tools and techniques that capture the activities and perspectives of diverse respondents; and discuss the complexities and challenges of conducting community-based evaluations

Keywords: Evaluation, Community-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA