Project

Adaptable Evaluation Training and Technical Assistance for Healthy Marriage, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Tribal/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Child Welfare Grantees

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Administration for Children and Families, supports programs that foster healthy marriage, responsible fatherhood, and economic stability to improve the well-being of children and families.

In 2006, OFA awarded grants to support 235 research and demonstration projects, including 125 Healthy Marriage programs, 100 Responsible Fatherhood programs, and 10 Tribal/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs. JBA helped the grantees build their evaluation capacity and strengthen the rigor of their evaluation designs. These efforts enhanced the quality and impact of the projects, facilitating evidence-based information to inform the field about effective approaches.

We conducted a needs assessment for each project and used the findings to plan and deliver evaluation technical assistance through—

  • Individualized telephone consultations
  • Technical assistance workshops and presentations
  • Web-based seminars
  • Moderated teleconference calls with groups of grantees
  • Site visits
  • Feedback on evaluation materials such as evaluation plans, data collection instruments, and data analysis plans
  • Referrals to other grantees for peer assistance
  • Dissemination of evaluation materials, models, and referrals to resources

Staff

  • Chi Connie Park, Ph.D., M.A. Senior Research Associate

    Chi Connie Park has more than 15 years of experience in applied social science research design, program evaluation, and capacity building in the areas of child...

  • Pirkko Ahonen, Ph.D., M.S. Senior Research Associate

    Pirkko Ahonen has more than 20 years of experience in evaluation studies, technical assistance, and applied research. She currently serves as the project director...

  • James DeSantis James P. DeSantis, Ph.D. Vice President

    James P. DeSantis is a developmental psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in research, program design, evaluation, technical assistance, and project...

  • Elliott Graham Elliott Graham, Ph.D. Director

    ​Elliott Graham has 30 years of experience in program evaluation, applied social science research, and evaluation technical assistance. He currently...

Resources

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families