Anne B. Keith, RN, DrPH, C-PNP, College of Nursing, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St, PO box 9300, Portland, ME 04104, 207-780-4138, akeith@usm.maine.edu, Paul L. Kuehnert, MS, RN, Director, Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Maine Bureau of Health, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011, and Judy Lloyd Storfjell, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (MC 802), Room 914, Chicago, IL 60612-7350.

The Maine Bureau of Health (BOH) designed multiple interconnected initiatives to expand and coordinate the early identification of and rapid response to events of public health significance including bioterrorism. These new initiatives strengthened the infrastructure for effective results during routine events as well as during unpredictable emergencies. However, the likelihood of fragmentation and miscommunication among the various initiatives was a potential barrier.

The formative evaluation process was conceived and implemented by the BOH as one unifying strategy. This evaluation was based on an overall logic model with supporting models for the four components: early detection, rapid response, risk communication, and training. The evaluation partners are tracking key indicators and providing actionable data to support continual progress toward program objectives. This includes narrative and written reports and a color-coded report card. As a formative process, the evaluation has evolved to playing an integral role in the successful development of a collaborative state-wide emergency preparedness system.

Learning Objectives: