Evaluating the Project
The purpose of the formal evaluation process was for each subgrantee to learn more about its own agency or organization, preferably from those it had served or sought to serve. Each project developed an evaluation plan to gauge its progress in meeting strategic goals and assess whether it was in fact addressing the needs of the community.
Several different processes were used to solicit feedback from collaborators, training participants, peer service agencies, people with disabilities, and other community members who could provide information on the project’s effectiveness. The most specific and useful feedback occurred when subgrantees—
- Created evaluation instruments that measured the project’s effectiveness, achievement of goals, and benefits to participants.
- Identified successful project components and changes needed.
- Created measures that assessed changes in knowledge, skills, behavior, attitude, or conditions for individuals participating in the services or training.
- Quantified the work being done in terms such as the number of people served and materials distributed, as well as the actual progress made in addressing the need.
- Evaluated whether the project could be replicated as it was, or if further development would be required.
- Developed a formal action plan and supporting budget, and used the plan to incorporate evaluation results and achieve the desired goals.
