CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Introduction to Evaluation
2. What Does an Evaluation Project Look Like
3. Understanding Types of Evaluation Projects
4. Preparing for Your Evaluation

Supplements
Resources

Evaluation for the Unevaluated:
Program Evaluation 101

Module Content Objectives Background: The Story of Jack and the Bean Counters The Cool After School Program Cool After School Program Description What Is Evaluation? Purposes of Evaluation Evaluation: A Working Definition Module 1 Quiz Next Module: Designing an Evaluation Project

Purposes of Evaluation

What do you think an evaluation is? In addition to meeting grant requirements, evaluation is used for:

Justification: Evaluation helps you justify delivery of services.

Documentation: Evaluation helps you demonstrate that the program objectives were met.

Accountability: Evaluation helps you show that funds are spent appropriately and efficiently. That means money is used for services and the maximum number of people is served.

Decisionmaking: Evaluation helps you make informed decisions about the program's future direction.

Helping program participants: Evaluation helps you determine the effectiveness of a prevention program for its participants. That means looking at whether their lives have improved as a result of the program.

Helping program managers: Evaluation helps you ensure continuous improvement in management and service delivery.

Getting more money for your program: Evaluation helps you gain support for your program or project funding. Besides the Federal Government, funds may be available from State and local agencies and private organizations.

Providing information to the prevention field: Evaluation can provide new information about service delivery. This may be useful to staff and participants or others who wish to replicate your program in their communities.

New bookends-if you're lucky, you'll get two volumes in sturdy 3-ring binders!: Evaluation results are presented in report format.

Improving your program: Seeing what worked and what didn't can help you make changes.

Tormenting prevention program staff: Yes, if it isn't done well, an evaluation can be as fun as starting your taxes the day before they're due.

In fact, all of these definitions are true to some extent-even the bookends. Jack went one step further.