FDDCs Internal Evaluation Processes Making Evaluation Practical Manageable

FDDC’s Internal Evaluation Processes

Making Evaluation Practical & Manageable Not Rocket Science

• Evaluating Council Initiatives – Responsibility of Council to direct the direction of initiatives and outcomes – Responsibility of Council to assess projects on an ongoing basis – Track the progress of the evolvement for each project – Data Driven Decision making

Why Internal Evaluation? – Allows the Council in collaboration with grantees to direct the intended outcomes, evaluation methods – Allows for the Council to gain insights into the evaluation practices – To improve evaluation strategies and practices embedded in each initiative – To improve data driven decision making – Builds the capacity of Council Members , staff and grantees

Planning for Evaluation – How did we begin ? • 5 - Year Look Back • Reflection on the accomplishments of the previous State Plan • What was learned? • Disconnects between state plan goals & data gathered – Insufficient data gathered at the project level • Need for comprehensive planning & assessment for each year of the state plan: » Outcome level » Evaluation Methods » Implementation Activities

State Plan Blueprint to Council’s Mission Sample provided from State Plan Resource Guide • Goal • Objective • Implementation Activities – Action Steps • Evaluation Outcomes – Outputs • Evaluation Methods – Data Indicators: National Data , NCI, State Data – RSSC Framework • Timelines (see handout)

How did the Council Embed Evaluation into each Project ? • State Plan: Blueprint to the Council’s Mission. Drives the work of the Council • Request for Proposal (RFP)/ Implementing Activities Funding Proposal (initial/continuation) – Incorporate implementation activities, outcomes and evaluation methods as outlined in the State Plan • Contract – Incorporate implementation activities, outcomes and evaluation methods as outlined in the State Plan

Evaluation during Project Implementation: Practical & Manageable – Mid-Year Project Update (see handout) • Overall Progress made • Progress to date made on Outcomes – Implementing Activities Funding Proposal (see handout) • Assess outcomes met • Assess scope of work for the subsequent project year – PPR Data (see handout) • State Plan required reporting elements • National & State Reports – State Plan Amendment Process (see handout) • • • PPR Data What has been learned? What changes (if any are needed) ? What progress has been made to date to achieving Outcomes ? What are new & emerging issues ? Are changes needed to the State Plan ?

Evaluation: Practical & Manageable • Planning the Work • Working the Plan

Contact Info Allison Cruz, MS. Ed Deputy Director of Programs Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. 124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 -2981 Ph: (850) 488 -4180 | (800) 580 -7801 allisoncruz@fddc. org