Provides administrative guidance and oversight tools—policies, documentation templates, compliance resources, and planning checklists—to help manage program logistics.
Offers insights into assessing program outcomes and quality improvement. Includes evaluation frameworks, data collection templates, and strategies for measuring impact.
Recommended Reading
Professional Reading
W. K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook (2017) Aimed at people with little or no evaluation experience, this handbook makes evaluation practices accessible to grantees, nonprofits, and community leaders.
Description: Introduces the logic of program‐evaluation designs, types of evaluations to answer varied performance questions, study‐design processes, and key quality considerations.
A Framework for Program Evaluation: A Gateway to Tools A synthesis of best practices and standards for designing and conducting evaluations in virtually any setting, provided by the University of Kansas Community Toolbox.
An Introduction to Evidence-based Programming An implementation resource guide for social-service programs from the Office of Family Assistance, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Websites & Portals
Websites
CDC: Other Evaluation Resources Purpose: A curated list of program-evaluation guides/manuals, evaluation-step manuals (e.g., logic models, data-collection methods), related websites, key associations, and journals.
MDRC DOHVE Project Resources Purpose: Resources for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) programs on strengthening evaluations, building/adapting data systems for federal benchmarks, and implementing quality-improvement systems.
American Evaluation Association Purpose: International professional association (≈7,300 members) devoted to program, personnel, product, and organizational evaluation to improve effectiveness across sectors.