The Poverty Center staff conduct program evaluations to help organizations understand the extent to which they are meeting their program and/or project goals, the impact they are having on the people they serve, and what strategies might be most effective in achieving their goals. While we have conducted evaluations with a variety of organizations, we specialize in working with organizations that focus on underserved populations.
Program evaluation is highly individualized and involves a number of steps. One of the first steps is designing an evaluation plan that best suits the needs of the organization, program, or project. Activities might involve but are not limited to: designing evaluation methodologies, developing measurement tools, administering focus groups and individual interviews, site observation, analyzing program records and where possible, utilization of other data previously collected by the organization/program/project (e.g., achievement test scores, administrative service receipt records). Other essential activities include primary data collection, management and analysis, as well as reporting and disseminating evaluation findings (e.g., presentations to stakeholders at conferences, publications, etc).
Our staff is both highly qualified and experienced in conducting program evaluation. Led by Dr. Rob Fischer, director of the Poverty Center, our staff expertly utilize the university’s resources and the most current methods available to conduct high quality evaluation.
If you are interested in more information on our services, please contact us.