Recorded presentation

Melanie Livet¹, Jane V.E. Richter, DrPH, RN¹, and Donna L. Richter, EdD². (1) Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of South Carolina, 1233 Washington Street, Suite 700, Columbia, SC 29201, 803-978-7577, dyem@gwm.sc.edu, (2) Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Health Sciences Building, Columbia, SC 29208

This session will describe the development and implementation of an evaluation paradigm, with an emphasis on the role of the logic model, to ensure accountability of one of the Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness network, The University of South Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (USC-CPHP). The network was created to help prepare the nation’s public health workforce to recognize and respond to acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. In collaboration with Center staff, the lead evaluator adopted a participatory evaluation approach with three goals in mind: 1. continuous quality improvement; 2. capacity building; and 3. strategic planning. While the inclusion of key stakeholders in the evaluation process is central to the use of evaluation findings to inform subsequent decision making, the use of logic models and the institutionalization of evaluation processes from the very start of a project are necessary to ensure careful planning prior to implementation. Logic models serve to guide all evaluation activities, which will be described during the session, as well as help with the planning of all project activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the key elements of a logic model
• Discuss how the development of logic models can serve to not only guide evaluation activities, but also help with careful planning prior to project implementation 3)Describe one of the possible evaluation approaches used to ensure accountability of one of the Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Infrastructure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation