The Federal Evaluation ToolkitBETA

Program evaluation uses systematic data collection to help us understand whether programs, policies, or organizations are effective. This guide explains how program evaluation can contribute to improving program services. It provides a high-level, easy-to-read overview of program evaluation from start (planning and evaluation design) to finish (dissemination), and includes links to additional resources.

Use this matrix template and worksheet to help you think through dissemination of your evaluation findings. The Dissemination Matrix Template: How to Share Important Aspects of your ATE Project with Others is designed to walk you through the what, who, how, where, and when of dissemination to ensure that you can maximize your dissemination efforts.

Use this slide deck to help choose effective dissemination strategies for your evaluation findings and products. This slide deck, Program Evaluation Toolkit - Module 8: Dissemination Approaches, walks through defining the focus of your initiative and the evaluation, your intended audiences for the evaluation findings, the audiences’ intended use of findings, dissemination strategies, and next steps. Check out the overview to learn more about how this resource can help you.

Communicating findings from a program evaluation is critical to support their use. This communication guide, Communication Guide for TTCW Grantees: What to Consider When Sharing Program Accomplishments, provides strategies for sharing program outcomes with target audiences. Created for Tribal TANF – Child Welfare Coordination grantees, its contents, tools, and templates are applicable for many programs and policy areas.