Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs

Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs

Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs combines an introduction to public and community health program evaluation with a detailed survey of methods in community assessment, planning, program design, quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis, and reporting of findings. The book presents an approach built on the two primary evaluation frameworks that are most common in public and community health: the Donaldson three-step program theory-driven evaluation model and CDC's six-step Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health. The author emphasizes practical, ongoing evaluation strategies that involve all program stakeholders, not just evaluation experts, and presents a simple and effective standards-based four-step model that will produce rich and useful results. The book's resources (scenarios, worksheets, and guidelines) can be used throughout the planning, implementation, and evaluation process. In addition, each chapter includes a list of learning objectives, key terms, and ideas for review, as well as summaries and discussion questions that can reinforce each chapter's lessons.

Understanding and applying the elements of program evaluation is a powerful force for planning effective public health strategies, improving existing programs, and demonstrating the results of resource investments. Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs is an essential resource that offers students and professionals in public health and public health policy a comprehensive and practical introduction to the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs and health policy. Written by Muriel J. Harrisan expert in public healththe book presents an approach built on the two primary evaluation frameworks that are currently used successfully. These are The Donaldson three-step program-theory driven evaluation model and CDCs six-step Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health. In Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs, the author emphasizes practical, ongoing evaluation strategies that involve all program stakeholders, not just evaluation experts and presents a simple and effective standards-based four-step model that will produce rich and useful results. The book contains a wealth of resourcesscenarios, worksheets, and guidelinesthat can be used throughout the planning, implementation, and evaluation process. In addition, each chapter includes a list of key ideas, important terms for review, as well as summaries and questions that can reinforce each chapters lessons.

Muriel J. Harris, PhD, MPH is an assistant professor, University of Louisville, School of Public Health and Information Sciences. Dr. Harris was the 2004 co-recipient of the CDC/ATSDR Honor Award and in 2000 was awarded membership in the national Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. In 2008 she won the Delta Omega Innovative Curriculum award for her program evaluation course.