FAQs--Assessment
and Evaluation
Collecting local sources of data
As part of the strategic planning process, prevention practitioners are
confronted with the task of assessing community needs and resources, planning
programs, and collecting information to be used in program evaluation. All
of these activities require data collection in one form or another. Where
do I go to identify and collect existing local sources of data?
Collecting national sources of data
I know where to go to identify and collect existing local sources of data,
but where do I go to identify and collect national, regional, or state
data?
Defining specific outcome objectives
I am at the point in my project where I need to provide my funder with
specific outcome objectives. What should I consider when I sit down to
write my outcomes?
Developing an evaluation plan
I need to develop an evaluation plan for my program. What are the essential
elements I should consider?
Finding an evaluator
I am a program coordinator who wants to conduct an evaluation of my program.
Do you have any suggestions about how I can find an evaluator?
First steps to presenting collected data
I've recently collected data that I would now like to present. What are
some steps that I should consider first?
Identifying existing surveys
My organization wants to assess the current substance abuse-related needs
of our community. Can you help me identify existing surveys that are available
to use for this purpose?
Locating an evaluator in the Northeast
I live in the Northeast region and am trying to locate potential Evaluators/Evaluation
groups for my program. Who are the evaluators within the region and how
do I select the one that is best for my needs?
Managing your evaluator
I have already located and hired an evaluator. How can I best manage him/her?
Minimizing evaluation costs
What are some ways I can minimize the costs of evaluating my program?
Minimizing evaluation costs
What are some ways I can minimize the costs of evaluating my program?
Selecting an evaluator
I am a program coordinator and have located several potential evaluators
for my program. Do you have any suggestions about how I can select from
among them?
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Behavior
What data are being collected nationally on substance abuse related health
behaviors? How can I use existing data sources in planning prevention
programs in my community?
What are outcomes?
I am currently writing a grant proposal and the RFP wants me to list my
desired outcomes. What are outcomes?

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