Program Evaluation: An Evaluation Culture and Collaborative Partnerships Help Build Agency Capacity

Report that examines experiences of five agencies that demonstrated evaluation capacity (e.g. a commitment to self-examination, data quality, analytic expertise, and collaborative partnerships) in their performance reports.

Report that examines experiences of five agencies that demonstrated evaluation capacity (e.g. a commitment to self-examination, data quality, analytic expertise, and collaborative partnerships) in their performance reports.

Strengthening marriages and relationships in low-income families has emerged as a national strategy for enhancing the well-being of children. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 appropriated $150 million in grants each year from 2006 through 2010 to implement the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. This report provides insight into how these programs are being implemented and monitored, and reports on: (1) how the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded grants and the types of org. that received funding; (2) what activities and services grantees are providing, incl. those for domestic violence victims; (3) how HHS monitors and assesses program implementation and use of funds; and (4) how program impact is measured. Illus.

Following major welfare reform in 1996, the number of families receiving cash assistance was cut in half to 2 million. While many former recipients now rely more on their earnings, they often work at low-wage jobs with limited benefits & advancement opportunities. To better understand how to help these individuals & their families attain economic self-sufficiency, this is a report on: (1) strategies designed to increase income for TANF recipients through employment; (2) the key factors related to implementing & operating such strategies; & (3) actions the Dept. of Health & Human Services has taken to facilitate the use of these strategies. Experts were consulted to gather info. about promising strategies; 26 programs were visited. Charts & tables.