*For information on Evidence-Based Practice in child welfare, visit our hot topic page here.
From ACF, Children’s Bureau, and T/TA Network
Resources & Publications
- The Program Manager’s Guide to Evaluation, Second Edition
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) has published an updated edition of The Program Manager’s Guide to Evaluation. The original guide has consistently been among the most frequently accessed of OPRE’s resources. Like the original, this edition explains what program evaluation is, why evaluation is important, how to conduct an evaluation and understand the results, how to report evaluation findings, and how to use evaluation results to improve programs that benefit children and families. (January 2010)
- Using Qualitative Data in Program Evaluation: Telling the Story of a Prevention Program
This resource from FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, a service of the Children’s Bureau and member of the T/TA Network, was developed for program administrators, managers, direct service practitioners and others as they expand and enhance current and future evaluation efforts. It is important to use qualitative evaluation techniques to better understand results found in quantitative data. By intentionally and thoughtfully using qualitative evaluation methods in conjunction with quantitative methods, one can understand why certain results were achieved or not achieved, explain unexpected outcomes and inform decisions about modifications to service provision. It can expand and explain the evidence used to demonstrate which practices work and why. The guide describes and defines qualitative evaluation. It also includes practical content on: getting started in qualitative evaluation; collecting data through interviews, observations, enumeration and sampling, and document review; how to analyze and report on qualitative data; and, how to use qualitative data to make program decisions. The guide contains examples of data collecting activities and reporting and a glossary of terms. (2009)
Webinars, Webcasts, and Videos
- The Logic Model Builder and Information Gateway Resources for Exploring the Research on Evidence-Based Practices
Logic models are critical to good planning, implementation, and evaluation of services. The FRIENDS’ approach to logic models places a strong emphasis on articulating the rationale behind services provided. In developing a logic model, it is incumbent on service providers to understand and document the research or other evidence that suggests their services will achieve positive outcomes for children and families. This webinar, offered by FRIENDS National Resource Center on Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention and Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children’s Bureau and member of the T/TA Network, provided a demonstration of the interactive, web-enabled Logic Model Builder and explored Child Welfare Information Gateway’s online library. The webinar covers: the purposes and development of the Evaluation Toolkit and Logic Model Builder; how to use the Logic Model Builder, with options and features for developing and presenting your logic model; and, how to use the Child Welfare Information Gateway library to conduct literature reviews and explore the research on child welfare practices. (May 12, 2011)
Trainings & Curricula
- Results Oriented Management in Child Welfare
This free web-based training from Results Oriented Management in Child Welfare for child welfare managers and supervisors consists of 21 separate interactive modules. It covers: using outcome data to inform and target program improvement efforts; understanding and interpreting outcomes performance data; developing effective action plans; establishing a results-oriented organizational culture; learning what the research literature says about factors impacting outcome attainment; and understanding the outcome oriented policy context.
- National Child Welfare Evaluation Summit- Summit Program & Materials
The Children’s Bureau hosted the National Child Welfare Evaluation Summit in May 2009 and 2011. The purpose of the Summit was to explore the current state of evaluation practice in the field of child welfare and to promote cohesive, strategic, and sound approaches for evaluating child welfare systems, programs, and practice. Materials from the Summit, including all presentations, recordings, and associated resources, are available via the event webpage (searchable by year and day).