About Us

Our mission is to improve the lives of children, families, and communities through evaluation.

We provide clients with credible, relevant, and useful measurement information that—

• Informs program management and policy decisions
• Reflects competency in developing and applying innovative research methodologies
• Involves policy makers and program managers in the planning and implementation of research and evaluation projects
• Reflects the use of multidisciplinary teams with substantive knowledge and methodological skills tailored to each project

We value independence and rigor in evaluation and flexibility and collaboration in our approach. We believe insight can empower decisions that impact people’s lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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James Bell founded JBA in 1979 after working as part of a team at a Washington, DC, think tank developing new approaches to planning and conducting evaluations. Driven by a desire to help the health and human services sector accomplish what it set out to do, he recruited a team of professionals with a shared passion. Today, JBA is a nationally recognized, data-driven firm whose work helps organizations and the people they serve thrive.

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• Our first project, Baltimore Blueprint, examined community-driven reforms in social services, education, health, and housing in Baltimore.
• We have staff in multiple locations to facilitate local knowledge and easy travel to program sites.
• We are a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Contractor Award from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.