Program Evaluation Measuring Results What is an outcome? What is an indicator?

Outcomes-Based Evaluations Looks at impacts/benefits/changes to your clients as a result of your program efforts Usually includes measurement during and/or after their participation in programs Should include measurement on a range of outcomes short, medium and long-term

Program evaluation plan Describes what you are going to evaluate, why and how Will include your outcomes, indicators of success, and methods for collection data It will also describe how often you will track these measures How findings will be reported

Outcomes

OUTCOMES are specific changes in attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, skills, status, or level of functioning expected to result from program activities and which are most often expressed at an individual level.

Outcomes Short-term Results that can be achieved in short amount of time (change in awareness, attitudes) Medium-term Results that can be achieved over a longer time, more intensive programming, usually a couple of months Long-term Take intensive effort, longer timeframe

Indicators

INDICATORS: Describe what information could be collected that would indicate the status of your program and its participants for each outcome Measure change

Should have at least one indicator for each outcome, can have more

Examples of Indicators Outcome: Improved education or achievement gain

o Indicator: Number and percent of participants who complete or

advance at least one educational level. Outcome: Reduction in public assistance o Number and percent of participants (who upon program entry were enrolled in TANF) whose grant is reduced or eliminated due to employment or increased income.

Sources of evaluation data Program records Surveys Focus groups Case studies

Measuring results What is an outcome? What is an indicator?