The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50676

Monique L. Glover, MPH, Department of Evaluation and Quality Assurance, Sinai Community Institute, 2653 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608-1797, 773-257-6508 x3207, glom@sinai.org

Evaluation is needed to determine the effectiveness of community-based programs. Now more than ever most funding agencies require that an evaluation component be included in any program proposal, yet often times evaluation is performed by program management or is not conducted at all. Furthermore, very few organizations have contracts with research institutions to provide external program evaluation. Successful evaluation is needed to produce viable programs that generate meaningful outcomes, however many organizations do not recognize this philosophy. The issue becomes more complex if the organization does not embrace the idea that program evaluation must be conducted and led by an individual or entity that is not biased by program activities. Staff at all levels of an organization needs to accept this in order to produce quality programs. Likewise, evaluators need to be aware that program evaluation is a novel concept in some settings. There are a number of challenges to overcome before program administrators, evaluators, and program staff can collaborate to implement programs that effectively address the needs of communities. An effective collaboration requires the following: (1) program administrators and staff must accept the need for an unbiased evaluator, understand the components and requirements of evaluation, and find resources to sustain evaluation activities and (2) evaluators need to be sensitive to the differences between the culture of a community based organization and that of a research institution. This session aims to discuss the aforementioned challenges and provides strategies that can be used by program administrators

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will (
• learn how an evaluator can gain the commitment of persons who implement community based programs; (
• ascertain strategies for educating these persons about evaluation; and (
• learn the difficulties of introducing research methodology into a community based organization.

Keywords: Evaluation, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Sinai Community Institute
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment