How do you know your program works? Strategies and tools and for implementers to build evidence and evaluation capacity

Resources to support programs to reduce children’s exposure to violence are limited and there are increasing pressures to identify programs and approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness. Funders want to know that the... [ view full abstract ]

Resources to support programs to reduce children’s exposure to violence are limited and there are increasing pressures to identify programs and approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness. Funders want to know that the programs they fund are helping children. Implementers want to show their program works and learn how to improve on it. And children around the globe deserve to receive the most effective prevention and intervention programs available. Much more work is needed to improve our collective knowledge about what most successfully reduces children’s exposure to violence, but integrating research and evaluation into program development and implementation can be a confusing process.

This 1 hour workshop will provide attendees with concrete and realistic strategies for successfully integrating evaluation into program development and implementation. The workshop will offer information on 1) using research to support and enhance program theory; 2) developing partnerships with external researchers; 3) finding financial support for evaluation; 4) specifying measurable outcomes; and 5) building research capacity over time. The workshop will introduce participants to several newly developed tools including an evaluation handbook published by the World Health Organization, and educational and case study videos illustrating evaluation concepts and practice. Dr. Lisa Jones from the Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC) at the University of New Hampshire will share her experiences collaborating and consulting with programs at varying stages of development and lead a discussion with attendees responding to specific questions and concerns regarding research and evaluation.