New & Noteworthy
The BHSA Transition Guide Part 7: Understanding DHCS’s Theories of Change for Statewide Behavioral Health Goals
This July, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released Behavioral Health Transformation: Theories of Change for Statewide Behavioral Health Goals—a framework for how county behavioral health (BH) and Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) can advance each of the statewide BH goals under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). While much of the attention on BHSA…
A Proven Partner for BSCC Grants
Public safety agencies across California have increasingly turned to data to prove and improve the impact of their work. For agencies receiving funding through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), that means navigating a rigorous set of evaluation requirements, such as the Local Evaluation Plans, data matrices, quarterly progress reports, and Final Local…
Evaluation Methods Quarterly: Synthesizing an Evaluative Judgment
Classically, there are five steps in the logic of evaluation: we define the evaluand (e.g., program, personnel, product), set criteria and standards, gather performance data, compare that performance to our standards, and then synthesize an overall judgment of merit, worth, or significance. In a previous post I argued that setting standards is the hardest problem in evaluation.…
From CHA to CHIP: Your Roadmap to PHAB Readiness
Achieving Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation requires a clear connection between your Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHA and CHIP serve as interconnected phases of one strategic planning cycle. Success depends on authentic partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and clear documentation. This roadmap guides you through four essential phases to…
Is Your Nonprofit Ready to Grow? Five Questions to Ask for Successful Capacity-Building
Are you planning growth at your nonprofit—but wondering if your organization is truly ready for that growth? Many nonprofit leaders face this paradox: successful programs attract more funding and visibility, but the organization itself struggles to keep pace. Without intentional capacity-building, growth can be challenging to manage. The most successful growing nonprofits take a strategic,…
California’s Rural Health Transformation Program: What Counties, Providers, and CBOs Need to Know
California is receiving $233 million in federal funding to transform rural health care — and applications are open now, with most windows closing by the end of August. Given the program’s performance-contingent structure, strong evaluation and reporting is the mechanism through which California and its grantees will protect future funding. This blog details what that…
Service Expansion Announcement: Data Utility Assessment and Planning
We live in an era of unprecedented information abundance. Organizations today generate and receive more data than ever before, from program metrics and regulatory compliance reporting to data dashboards and billing systems. Yet, more data does not automatically mean better decisions. Without the right infrastructure to organize, interpret, and act on that information, data can…
From Data to Impact: A Practical Guide to Continuous Quality Improvement for Mission-Driven Organizations
Mission-driven organizations operate in a complex environment where accountability, efficiency, and community impact matter deeply. Whether managing social services, public health programs, behavioral health treatment initiatives, justice programs, or other areas, organizations face mounting pressure to demonstrate results while working within constrained budgets. The communities they serve deserve nothing less than excellence. That’s where continuous…
Outcomes vs. Impact: What Funders Really Want to See in Your Reports
When nonprofit leaders and government program managers sit down to write their funder reports, many face the same frustrating challenge: how do you effectively communicate your organization’s true value? Too often, well-intentioned reports fall flat because they confuse outcomes with impact, leaving funders questioning whether their investment is truly making a difference. Putting in the effort…