Creating Useful and Usable Evaluation Findings: A Relationship-Driven Approach to Evaluation Reporting

Evaluation findings can improve services and supports within the child welfare system. However, for these findings to drive meaningful change, the approach to developing and sharing them must be intentional and inclusive.

This brief emphasizes the role of two groups in creating useful, usable findings: (1) convenors responsible for designing and implementing evaluations and (2) collaborators who help shape evaluation approaches and are invested in their findings.

A relationship-driven approach to evaluation reporting is built on three core components:

• Identifying and engaging collaborators
• Developing meaningful findings
• Communicating results effectively

This brief provides a roadmap for involving key stakeholders, ensuring that evaluation findings meet their needs, and promoting informed decision making. It encourages intentional sharing of findings with program staff, participants, policymakers, community members, and other audiences. By using a relationship-driven approach, evaluators can enhance their work’s impact on policy and practice in child welfare.