EVALCORP has partnered with Waymakers, a nonprofit organization in Orange County, California, for more than fifteen years to support tobacco prevention evaluation. Throughout this partnership, one of our roles has been to help Waymakers collect the data needed to strengthen their work, document progress, and meet the requirements of the California Tobacco Prevention Program (CTPP).
Waymakers leads the community outreach, education, and policy activities. EVALCORP supports these efforts by designing evaluation tools, training staff, organizing data systems, and preparing materials required for state reporting. This partnership shows how evaluation can help nonprofits stay aligned with funding requirements while focusing on direct prevention work.
Evaluation Support Aligned with Regulatory Requirements
CTPP-funded programs must follow specific evaluation and reporting expectations tied to the Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Guidelines. EVALCORP helps Waymakers meet these expectations by developing evaluation plans, clarifying required measures, and organizing workflows that fit within the team’s daily operations.
Our support includes:
- Evaluation planning linked to CTPP objectives
- Development of data collection tools
- Assistance with required documentation
- Structuring evaluation tasks so they are manageable for staff
This helps Waymakers meet funding requirements while maintaining focus on program implementation.
Supporting Successful Funding Procurement
EVALCORP also assisted Waymakers with their most recent CTPP grant proposal, which was prepared and submitted through the Online Tobacco Information System (OTIS). The proposal was awarded and is currently being implemented in Huntington Beach, California.
Our support included preparing evaluation components, aligning proposed activities with CTPP expectations, and helping staff organize information needed for OTIS submission. This work helped position Waymakers for a successful application and smooth start-up of the new project.
Helping Staff Collect Accurate Qualitative and Quantitative Data
EVALCORP provides data collection tools and systems that help Waymakers gather the information needed for their work and for funder reporting.
Tools developed through this partnership include:
- Surveys for residents, youth, and community partners
- Observation forms for multi-unit housing, public areas, and environmental scans
- Key stakeholder interview tools
- Tracking systems aligned with grant goals
These tools support consistent data collection across projects and sites.
Training Staff to Carry Out Evaluation Activities Correctly
EVALCORP prepares Waymakers team members to collect data accurately by providing clear, structured training. Training includes:
- CTPP evaluation expectations
- Administration guidelines for each tool
- Data accuracy and consistency expectations
- Ethical guidance for community-based data collection
Pre- and post-training surveys help confirm that staff are ready and able to complete evaluation tasks.
Supporting Required Reporting
OTIS reporting is a key requirement for CTPP-funded programs. EVALCORP assists Waymakers by:
- Preparing summaries aligned with OTIS reporting fields
- Reviewing data for accuracy
- Linking findings to grant objectives
- Tracking deadlines for deliverables
This support helps Waymakers complete state-required reporting while continuing to focus on program outreach and policy activities.
Examples of Evaluation Support Across Waymakers’ Tobacco Prevention Projects
Through this long-term partnership, EVALCORP has supported evaluation for several types of tobacco prevention efforts.
Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing and Public Space Projects
We helped staff collect baseline and follow-up data to document exposure, assess resident experiences, and inform local policy discussions.
Culturally Specific Projects
We supported bilingual evaluation activities in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Orange County and San Diego.
Youth and Behavioral Health Programs
We created data tools for prevention activities delivered to youth and adults in behavioral health settings and supported analysis that helped refine program strategies.
Across each project, EVALCORP has helped staff collect the information needed to understand community needs and meet CTPP expectations.
What Tobacco Prevention Agencies Can Expect When Working With EVALCORP
Organizations engaged in tobacco prevention work can expect evaluation support that:
- Aligns evaluation plans with CTPP guidelines
- Provides tools that staff can use with confidence
- Trains teams to collect accurate data
- Offers analysis that supports program implementation and improvement
- Supports required reporting through OTIS
- Strengthens grant proposals through evaluation design and documentation
EVALCORP’s long partnership with Waymakers demonstrates that strong evaluation not only supports compliance and funding, but also allows agencies to stay centered on delivering real, measurable impact in their communities.