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Legacy evaluation
The Partnership for the Public's Health
The California Endowment (TCE), 2007–2008
The Partnership for the Public’s Health (PPH) was a progressive five-year initiative to build the capacity of California communities and local health departments to work together to improve health and create policy and system changes that support community health improvement. CCHE is currently conducting a legacy evaluation of the initiative to assess its long term impact and document best practices and lessons learned. The legacy evaluation includes site visits with 12 partnerships (11 PPH partnerships and 1 non PPH partnership), key informant interviews with public health experts, and dissemination of PPH evaluation findings through a variety a publications and a conference exploring the ways health departments and community groups work together to achieve common goals.
Understanding the Legacy of the Sabbatical Program
The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) 2007–2008
The Sabbatical Program aims at encouraging and preserving the leadership of
community-based non-profit organizations concerned with health.
Organizations demand a great deal from their executive directors and require
that highly talented, energetic individuals occupy that position. Stress and
burnout often result, leading to reduced executive director effectiveness or
turnover. The Sabbatical Program seeks to promote retention and preserve the
effectiveness of community-based organization executive directors by
providing opportunities for rest and rejuvenation. The Center for Community
Health and Evaluation (CCHE) team received a grant to address questions
about the overall impact and legacy of the program, and to make
recommendations to TCWF for program improvement.
Legacy of Ten Years of Community Grantmaking
Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF), 2007
CCHE designed and conducted an assessment of the contribution the Northwest
Health Foundation has made to communities as a result of its history of
grantmaking. Included in the assessment was consideration of 300 community
grants over the last ten years. The evaluation focused on understanding the
impact of grantmaking to the organization and the local community, the
legacy of the funding and an assessment of the relationship between the
Foundation and organizational recipients. Results of the evaluation have
been shared with the trustees of NWHF to inform their improvement efforts.
Tracks in the Sand: Sustainability of Community Health
Initiatives
The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF), 2004–2006
Ten years ago, TCWF invested more than $100 million in five multi-year
initiatives to improve the health of communities through a variety of
prevention, development, and direct-service interventions. TCWF contracted
with our evaluation team to determine the extent to which the project
elements established under three of the initiatives were sustained three to
four years after TCWF funded ended. In this evaluation, titled Tracks in
the Sand, our team conducted site visits and interviews with the 85
original grantees to assess long-term sustainability and impact of the
initiatives.
Read the final report: On
Sustainability—Assessing the Long-Term Impact of Three TCWF Initiatives
(PDF) [also available at:
http://www.tcwf.org/pub_reflections/nov_2006.htm]
Health Improvement Initiative
The California Wellness Foundation, 2001–2002
Our team conducted an evaluation of this five-year (1996–2001) Health
Improvement Initiative. In 2002, we completed an assessment of the legacy of
the initiative-the degree to which its contributions to systems change and
health improvement were sustained one year post-funding. The final report
included the identification of factors associated with sustainability of
community efforts.
Read the executive summary:
Health Improvement Initiative: Legacy Evaluation Report: Executive Summary
(PDF)
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Growing Up Healthy: Kids and Communities
The Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation (BCBSMF), 2004–2009
CCHE is evaluating the foundation's ten-year initiative which focuses on
partnerships to improve the health of children through three sectors: early
childhood development; housing; and the environment. In addition, CCHE
consulted with BCBSMF as it developed and adopted its new program directions
to address the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health.
We prepared environmental scans, a series of expert colloquia, regional
forums, issue papers, and funding guidelines
Community Health Initiative
Kaiser Permanente, 2003–2009
CCHE has been chosen by Kaiser Permanente (KP) to serve as the national
cross-site evaluators for its Community Health Initiative—a component of
KP's community benefit program in each of eight regions. Prior to this, our
team our team worked with KP to review and summarize state-of-the-art
factors associated with successful health improvement partnerships by
conducting a literature review and interviewing members of community
partnerships around the country.
Steps to a Healthier SE Alaska
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, 2007–2008
The SEARHC Steps to a Healthier SE Alaska program works with schools,
worksites and other community groups to increase physical activity,
encourage healthy eating and reduce tobacco use. CCHE's evaluation
emphasizes intermediate outcomes, such as systems and policy change, while
at the same time establishing measurement approaches to track changes in
long-term community health outcomes.
Documenting Impact and Building Organizational Capacity (CSSI)
Care Oregon, 2007–2008
Care Oregon is a not-for-profit health plan committed to improving and
protecting the health of low income and vulnerable Oregonians. Care Oregon
seeks innovative ways to strengthen its core programs in an increasingly
challenging health care environment. Care Oregon has contracted with CCHE to
document the impact of its $8 million dollar CSSI program. CSSI has funded
more than 50 health plan providers (hospitals, primary care centers) to
design and develop new ways of providing and improving the quality of health
care services
Steps to a HealthierUS—King County
U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 2003–2008
King County, Washington is one of seven urban areas across the country
initially chosen to implement Steps to a HealthierUS, a program to promote
healthy lifestyles in the areas of asthma, diabetes, obesity, nutrition,
physical activity, and tobacco. CCHE is leading the multi-year local
evaluation and participating in the national evaluation.
Steps to a HealthierUS—Colville Tribal Nation
Washington State Department of Health, 2005–2006
CCHE designed a series of needs assessments targeting asthma, diabetes,
obesity, nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco on the Colville Indian
Reservation in Northeast Washington. Three community surveys included
interviews of business council representatives, community residents, and
workplace employees.
Health Trek
Group Health Community Foundation (GHCF) and Aramark, 2005–2007
Health Trek was the GHCF nutrition and fitness program providing teacher
workshops, exhibits, and curriculum materials to middle schools in
Washington. With additional funding from Aramark, CCHE monitored program
implementation and assessed the effectiveness of the program components in a
unique program .
Allies Against Asthma
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2001–2005
A locally created coalition of stakeholders designed this coordinated
approach to asthma control. CCHE took the lead role in assessing program
implementation, including contributions of interventions with families,
social networks, community groups, faith communities, schools, housing
agencies, and health care providers. We recommended ways to strengthen
relationships among coalition member groups and improve the overall
management of asthma.
New Program Directions
The Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation (BCBSMF), 2004–2005
The evaluation team consulted with BCBSMF as it developed and adopted new
program directions to address the social, economic, and environmental
determinants of health. Our team prepared environmental scans, a series of
expert colloquia, regional forums, issue papers, and funding guidelines.
BCBSMF is interested in the health implications of the built
environment/housing, social integration of recent immigrant populations, and
early childhood interventions.
The Partnership for the Public's Health
The California Endowment (TCE), 2000–2005
The Partnership for the Public’s Health (PPH) was a $40 million, five-year initiative that partnered 39 community organizations with 14 health departments. The main goal of PPH was to build the capacity of California communities and local health departments to work together to improve health and create policy and system changes that support community health improvement. Our team tracked progress and challenges in key program areas: building capacity at the partnership and health department levels, partnership development, health improvement, and policy change.
Read the final report and executive summary:
Sun Safe Communities
American Cancer Society (ACS), 2001–2002
One of ACS's goals is to reduce sun exposure. In this project, six
communities located on the Eastern seaboard and in New Mexico were targeted
for program materials to reduce sun exposure. ACS staff and volunteers
joined with schools, preschools and daycare centers, parks and recreation
organizations, primary care physicians, and media outlets to promote sun
safety among young people, their parents, and caregivers. The evaluation
focused on documenting the progress and achievements in each site, immediate
and intermediate outcomes of the project, lessons learned, and implications
for future skin-cancer prevention efforts.
Health Improvement Initiative
The California Wellness Foundation, 1996–2003
This $20 million grant-making program, which provided funding to 15
communities throughout California, focused on systems change, policy change,
and improved prevention services.The evaluation assessed achievements in
program implementation, use of data for decision-making, and sustainability;
the type and volume of prevention services provided; and measurable
community health outcomes.
Top
Assessment and design of community
health initiatives
Children's Access Fund
Group Health Community Foundation, 2007–2008
In fall 2006, Group Health Cooperative awarded $1 million to the Foundation
to support improvements in children's access to health care outside of King
County, Washington. CCHE has consulted on developing criteria and guidelines
for selecting programs to fund, provided evaluation planning assistance to
grantees, and is responsible for evaluation the overall Children's Access
Fund initiative.
Secondhand Smoke—Workplace Assessment
Public Health–Seattle & King County, Tobacco Prevention and Local
Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, 2004–2005
This evaluation assessed local workers' exposure to secondhand smoke,
presence of stressful working conditions, and exposure to hazardous
chemicals among local hotel and restaurant workers. Results have been used
by union and public health officials to plan training programs that address
identified workforce needs.
Strategy Guide for Bar Owners
Public Health–Seattle & King County, Tobacco Prevention,
2003-2004
CCHE prepared and disseminated a publication as an extension of the
secondhand smoke assessment project (see above). The publication was a guide
for local bar and tavern owners to use in planning smoke-free events and to
assist them in implementing longer-range plans to become completely
smoke-free.
Assessment of Developers' Attitudes Toward Public Health
Amenities
Public Health–Seattle & King County, Tobacco Prevention, 2004
This evaluation focused on understanding local business developers' interest
in exchanging public health amenities for design and building incentives.
Our team collaborated with Public Health–Seattle & King County to design,
implement and analyze the results of this survey. Results have been
presented at national conferences and incorporated into work sponsored by
the University of Washington's Department of Urban Design and Planning.
Read the executive summary:
Report on Interviews with Developers and Public Planners: Study on
Incentives and the Built Environment (PDF)
Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
Washington State Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, 2003–2004
CCHE coordinated and supported the creation of a local coalition that seeks
to promote physical activity. Activities included grant writing,
facilitating leadership team meetings, establishing committees, coordinating
annual statewide professional development, a coalition Web site, and
speakers bureau.
Secondhand Smoke, Smoke-free Policies, and Tobacco Marketing in
Bars and Nightclubs
Public Health–Seattle & King County, Tobacco Prevention, 2002–2003
CCHE assessed attitudes toward secondhand smoke, smoke-free policies, and
tobacco marketing in bars and nightclubs that cater to the college-age
community in Seattle. Results included recommendations on strategies to
reduce smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke in bars and taverns in King
County.
Tobacco Prevention Needs Assessment with the Tulalip and
Stillaguamish Tribes
Snohomish Health District, 2002–2003
Under contract with the Snohomish County Health District in Everett,
Washington, CCHE collaborated with two local tribes (Tulalip and
Stillaguamish) to understand the role tobacco plays in their lives. The
assessment sought to understand the cultural context of tobacco, current
tribal policies toward tobacco, accessibility of smoking-cessation services,
and current opportunities for tobacco prevention. The final report included
recommendations to the tribes and health district for programming,
monitoring, and evaluation.
Youth Takin' On Tobacco (YTOT)
State of California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control
Section, 1997–2000
The YTOT initiative implemented strategies to reduce the risk of tobacco use
among young people in six California cities. The programs stressed a youth
development approach to strengthen community engagement, personal
development, and social development. CCHE provided technical assistance to
each city's own evaluation efforts and assessed the project's overall
impact.
Top
Evaluation planning
Evaluation of Foundation Initiatives
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, 2007–2008
CCHE is providing evaluation consultation and conducting the evaluation for
Healthy Kentucky's primary care and advocacy initiatives, including
convening an advisory panel, helping plan grant cycles, integrating
technical assistance into grantmaking process, and collecting/analyzing data
on grantee performance.
Healthcare Georgia Foundation Evaluation Planning Project
and Evaluation Model Scan
Healthcare Georgia Foundation (HGF), 2006–2008
CCHE is working with the staff and governance leadership of HGF to design a
comprehensive evaluation strategy for the foundation. The first step
included identifying indicators to assess the difference the foundation is
making in its three funding priority areas (strengthening nonprofit health
organizations, expanding access to primary care, and addressing health
disparities). We have also completed a national scan of models of support
for nonprofit grantee evaluation and are currently assessing the evaluation
needs of health-related nonprofit organizations in Georgia.
Health Care Leadership Initiative
2002–2003
ACS collaborated with the Memphis Business Group on Health to launch this
initiative. The initiative involved ACS building relationships with
employers and offering them strategies to prevent cancer, and when cancer
does occur, to reduce its impact on both the employees and the company. CCHE
designed an evaluation plan and provided planning support to this ACS pilot
project.
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Diversity in
health care
Social Justice Fund (SJF)
Social Justice Philanthropy Northwest, 2005–2007
The evaluation sought to answer questions about the operation and impact of
SJF, a philanthropic organization based in Seattle that serves communities
in six western states. Evaluation activities focused on a grant from the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation to increase the involvement of people of color in
philanthropy—as members, volunteers, and leaders.
Group Health Permanente Leadership Assessment
Group Health Permanente (GHP), 2005–2006
CCHE collaborated with GHP Human Resources to assess opportunities and
barriers associated with leadership positions among Group Health physicians.
Special interest was placed on understanding the attitudes and opinions of
ethnic/racial minority and female physicians.
Cultural Competency Review
Group Health Cooperative, 2004–2005
CCHE completed a literature review on cultural competency issues in health
care. Results were used by the Quality Division of Group Health to inform
its strategic planning.
HR Leadership Diversity Assessment
Group Health Community Foundation, 2004–2005
This assessment was designed to gain a deeper understanding of the lack of
racial and ethnic diversity within the Group Health workforce, explore
issues that might affect participation in a career development program, and
describe potential participants' current skills and career goals. This
assessment informed the design and delivery of a career development program
for managers funded by the Foundation.
Diversity Initiative
Group Health Community Foundation, 2003–2005
The Foundation funded this program to provide opportunities for students of
color to prepare for and succeed in health careers. CCHE assessed the impact
of the health-career school pathways program, subsequent school and career
choices among participating students, challenges, and lessons learned.
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Program and service improvement
Active Living Research (ALR)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), 2006–2007
ALR is a $12.5 million national program of RWJF that supports research to
identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical
activity. Findings from this research are used to help inform policy, design
of the built environment and other factors to promote active living. The
CCHE evaluation assessed the extent to which ALR is contributing to policy
activity and the building of a field in active living/healthy eating.
Plan/Practice Improvement Project
California HealthCare Foundation, 2006–2007
CCHE, in partnership with Dr. Mangione-Smith at the Child Health Institute
evaluated the Plan/Practice Improvement Project (P/PIP). P/PIP was an
innovative quality improvement collaborative focused on asthma
care. The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) partnered with the Medi-Cal
Managed Care Division, the National Initiative on Improving Children's
Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), and the Improving Chronic Illness Care (ICIC)
program of the MacColl Institute for Healthcare Innovation to lead this
quality improvement collaborative. The major goal of the collaborative was
to aid Medi-Cal health plans in synchronizing their quality improvement and
chronic care management approaches at the health plan and provider levels.
The evaluations main objective was to assess the effectiveness of the
collaborative in supporting improvements asthma care within Medi-Cal
practice sites.
Optimizing Healing in Primary Care
Group Health Center for Health Studies (CHS), 2005–2008
The goal of this research, co-sponsored by CHS and the Samueli Institute, is
to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention to produce the best
possible primary care outcomes for chronic conditions. CCHE is assisting
with qualitative data collection and analysis.
Hope Lodge Assessment
American Cancer Society (ACS), 2006–2007
ACS supports 22 Hope Lodges—free, temporary housing facilities for cancer
patients who are undergoing treatment and for their caregivers. CCHE worked
with ACS to assess the lodges for purposes of communicating best practices,
to a case statement for fundraising, and to offer recommendations for the
development of additional lodges.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Collaborative
Retreat Model
2006–2007
The ACS Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Collaborative
Retreat Model was developed to improve collaborations between state
departments of health and ACS. The primary purpose of the CCHE evaluation
was to assess the contribution of the retreats on functioning and strength
of the collaboration, the retreats' contribution to cancer screening rates,
and to provide feedback for improving the Retreat Model.
Physician Detailing Pilot Program
American Cancer Society, 2005–2007
ACS launched a pilot program to encourage physicians to use colorectal
cancer prevention teaching materials with their patients. Our team assessed
implementation of the program in six ACS divisions and designed an
evaluation plan to measure long-term impact.
Youth Suicide Prevention in Washington State
Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH), 2003–2004
As part of the ongoing WSDOH programming effort to reduce teen suicides, the
Youth Suicide Prevention Program was established to raise awareness about
the danger signals surrounding youth suicide and increase knowledge of local
intervention services throughout Washington. Our team conducted a community
assessment to identify factors associated with establishing successful
community prevention networks and the best ways to build community capacity.
Results were used to inform ongoing suicide prevention efforts in Washington
state.
Patient Navigator
2002–2003
The goal of the ACS Navigation Demonstration Project was to increase
utilization of care support services among those affected by cancer. CCHE
assessed how cancer patients and their caregivers requested and used
services at ACS units, gauged their levels of satisfaction with services,
and made recommendations for formal implementation of the navigation system.
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Health-related
training programs
Understanding Childbirth Education
Lamaze International, 2004–2006
The assessment provided descriptive information on childbirth education
classes with a particular focus on how information is conveyed in childbirth
classes, contextual factors shaping how childbirth educators organize and
select teaching materials and classroom exercises, and women's attitudes and
behaviors regarding childbirth education. Methods included observation of
childbirth education classes, interviews with instructors and students,
survey data, and document review.
Senior Leaders Development Program
Group Health Cooperative, 2005
Group Health has designed a year-long program focusing on leadership
development to prepare top internal candidates for senior-level positions.
CCHE provided evaluation services to assess participant and senior leaders'
satisfaction with the program and identify opportunities for improvement.
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, 2001–2007
The Northwest Center's mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness
of public health practice by linking public health academic and practice
communities in the Northwest (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming,
Idaho). CCHE provides consultation and expertise to support the evaluation
of Northwest Center's ongoing training programs and projects and assists in
the development of training programs related to evaluation. CCHE
also conducts specific evaluation projects in collaboration with the
Northwest Center such as preparedness training "needs assessments" with
American Indian tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho; the Oregon State
Department of Human Services; and the states of Wyoming and Montana.
Project Public Health Ready: Thurston County Workforce
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice and Thurston County
Department of Health, 2003
Thurston County was one of 12 demonstration sites for "Project Ready," which
sought to prepare local governmental public health agencies to respond to
public health emergencies. Partnering with the Northwest Center, our team
completed an assessment of bioterrorism competencies and training needs
among public health workers in Thurston County. The evaluation report
informed a two-year strategic plan implemented by Thurston County Public
Health.
Emergency Preparedness of the Wyoming Public Health Workforce
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice and State of Wyoming, 2003
In collaboration with the Northwest Center, this survey assessed
Wyoming's public health and emergency response workers' competencies and
training needs associated with bioterrorism preparedness.
Emergency Preparedness of the Montana Public Health Workforce
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice and State of Montana, 2003
In collaboration with the Northwest Center, this survey assessed
Montana public health and emergency-response workers' training needs
associated with bioterrorism preparedness. It included public health workers
throughout the state and representatives from the seven Indian Nations in
Montana.
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Policy analysis
Active Living Research (ALR)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), 2006–2007
ALR is a $12.5 million national program of RWJF that supports research to
identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical
activity. Findings from this research are used to help inform policy, design
of the built environment and other factors to promote active living. The
CCHE evaluation assessed the extent to which ALR is contributing to policy
activity and the building of a field in active living/healthy eating.
Rural Caucus Consultant Evaluation
The California Endowment (TCE), 2005–2006
TCE introduced a strategic policy approach to provide research and analytic
support to the California State Legislative Rural Caucus. Our evaluation
examined the effectiveness of the program design and statewide policy
impacts.
Read the final report:
The Designation of Rural Areas in California: A Public
Policy Case Study (PDF)
Assessment of Developers' Attitudes Toward Public Health
Amenities
Public Health–Seattle & King County, Tobacco Prevention, 2004
This evaluation focused on understanding local business developers' interest
in exchanging public health amenities for design and building incentives.
Our team collaborated with Public Health–Seattle & King County to complete
this survey project. Results have been presented at national conferences and
incorporated into subsequent work sponsored by the University of
Washington's Department of Urban Design and Planning.
Read the executive summary:
Report on Interviews with Developers and Public Planners:
Study on Incentives and the Built Environment (PDF)
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