Evaluation

B. EVALUATION: Inquiry into the effectiveness and the efficiency of alcohol and drug programs, services, and activities.

1. Challenge: Individuals with alcohol and other drug problems, as well as referral and funding, agents, lack qualitative information regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of alcohol and drug programs in both the public and private sectors. Most evaluation that is funded is conducted by programs themselves, or by their funders, raising significant concerns about the integrity of such evaluation. Furthermore, evaluation models that focus on process or on participant outcome usually ignore the broader social issue of community impact and change.

Goals/Recommendations:

a.

Enlist the aid of private industry, as an outside and independent resource, capable of conducting objective and disinterested evaluation. (H, SS, State; Long-Term)

b.

Develop and implement simplified, quality data collection mechanisms that include appropriate outcome indicators for all programs, services, and activities, not only for "client oriented" services. (H, SS, State; Short-Term) (Priority)

c.

Place special emphasis on learning why services are not engaging Hispanics/Latinos and other multicultural groups. (H, SS, E, CJ, State; Long-Term) (Priority)

d.

Incorporate participation and leadership by members of multicultural groups in the planning, design, and conducting of evaluations. (H, SS, E, CJ; Long-Term)

e.

Evaluate all programs, services, and activities in the community, how aware they are of other programs, services, and activities, and how well they work together. (H, SS, E, CJ; Long-Term)