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New & Noteworthy

program evaluation

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The Importance of Program Evaluation in Achieving Non-Profit Goals

Non-profits operate with inspiring missions, limited resources, and high expectations from donors, stakeholders, and communities. Every initiative they launch is designed to solve a problem, improve lives, or strengthen communities. But how do organizations know whether their programs are truly working as intended? That is where program evaluation becomes indispensable. For organizations dedicated to creating…

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Sharing Program Impact Stories Using Data

Storytelling is a powerful way to for community-based programs to build stakeholder engagement, attract funding, and build trust with clients and communities. Data-driven storytelling is even more powerful. Data-driven stories enhance credibility, increase transparency, and demonstrate accountability. In other words, data helps to ground a story in evidence. But what is the most effective way…

Welcome to the team Reighan Grandolfo!

Welcome to the Team: Reighan Grandolfo

We’re thrilled to welcome Reighan Grandolfo to the EVALCORP team as our newest Project Assistant! Her strong foundation in mental and public health, coupled with a passion for outreach and communication, makes her a valuable addition to our growing team. Prior to joining EVALCORP, Reighan interned with the City of Rancho Cucamonga where she used…

Welcome to the Team! Emily Rader

Welcome to the Team: Emily Rader

We’re pleased to introduce Emily Rader, who joins our team as a Research Associate! With over a decade of consulting and applied research experience, Emily brings deep expertise in behavioral health, public health, and criminal justice. A skilled mixed-methods researcher, she supports a wide range of projects through her strengths in developing data collection tools,…

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From Social Host Ordinances to Opioid Settlement Funds: Celebrating our Long-Term Partnership with Ventura County Behavioral Health, Substance Use Services

EVALCORP has had the opportunity to work with the Substance Use Services division of Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) since 2006, and that long view has allowed our team to generate insights that shape how we approach the work. We have led program evaluation and strategic planning projects for several VCBH substance use and prevention…

Welcome to the Team! Dr. Kristen Cunningham!

Welcome to the Team: Dr. Kristen Cunningham

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Kristen Cunningham to the EVALCORP team! As a Research Associate I, Kristen leads and supports data collection, analysis, and reporting across evaluation, needs assessment, and strategic planning projects. She brings over five years of research experience in early childhood, education, and behavioral health—applying both quantitative and qualitative methods to design…

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Welcome to the Team: Dr. Taylor Kidd!

We’re thrilled to introduce Dr. Taylor Kidd, the newest member of our EVALCORP team! As a Research Associate, Taylor contributes to a range of evaluation, needs assessment, and strategic planning projects. She brings nearly a decade of experience in conducting evaluation studies and applied research, with expertise in project design, implementation, analysis, and translating data…

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Evaluation Methods Quarterly: Randomization is Underused in Program Evaluation

Welcome to Evaluation Methods Quarterly, a blog series by Dr. Anthony Clairmont, EVALCORP’s Lead Methodologist. Each quarter, Dr. Clairmont explores key methodological concepts, challenges, and innovations in evaluation, offering insights to strengthen practice and advance the field. One of my observations over my years of working with many nonprofits and government agencies is that randomization…

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Recent Changes to the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA): What They Mean…

California has long been a leader in addressing mental health and housing challenges through innovative funding mechanisms. Since its passage in 2004, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) has been a cornerstone of California’s behavioral health strategy. Funded by a 1% tax on incomes exceeding $1 million, the MHSA has provided billions in funding to…

Community Impact

Maximizing Community Impact Through Effective Program Evaluation

Community-based initiatives are more than just good intentions—they’re powerful vehicles for positive social change. In this post we’ll explain both how program evaluation can maximize community impact and how to work effectively with an evaluation consultant. At its core, program evaluation is about maximizing a program’s potential—ensuring that every effort is purposeful, effective, and continually…

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.“

– Peter Drucker

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