Aarin Frigon, M.A. I’m sorry…are we speaking the same language? The importance of establishing evaluation relationships.

Why are we here? Help people! Help people! –Find the best possible way. –Help as many people as possible. Evaluation 2

The Ideal 3

Evaluation Researchers Researchers Policy Makers Policy Makers Service Providers 4

Different Planets Researchers Researchers –Gold standard of research –Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) –Controlled environment –Publish, publish, publish –Generalize 5

Different Planets Policy Makers / Funders Policy Makers / Funders –Political pressures –Anecdotal evidence –Headlines –Reappointed –Limited resources 6

Different Planets Service Providers Service Providers –Face-to-face –Limited resources –Competing for funds –Personal –People not numbers 7

Different Languages UW (United Worlds) Summit UW (United Worlds) Summit –Different languages –Same words, different meanings 8

Different Languages Purpose Purpose –Researchers  Acquire knowledge  Generalize –Policy Makers  Best distribution of limited funds  Public opinion –Service Providers  Acquire more funding  Continued service delivery 9

Different Languages Criteria Criteria –Researchers  Significant difference  Randomized Control Trial –Policy Makers  Public opinion  Anecdotal –Service Providers  One-on-one testimonial  Client success 10

Different Languages Collaboration = Confusions Collaboration = Confusions –Researchers  Unrealistic standards  Expectations –Policy Makers  Costs  Publicity –Service Providers  Resources for evaluation  Evaluation knowledge 11

Why bother? To help people To help people –Effectively & Efficiently  Decisions informed by research  Effective use of limited resources  Keep programs running 12

Evaluationese Collaboration = Resources Collaboration = Resources –Financial –Methods –Expertise –Access to clients –Trained personnel –Dissemination 13

Evaluationese Collaboration = Education Collaboration = Education –Benefits evaluation –Different from research –Resource allocation –Program efficiency –Dissemination of results –Public education 14

Evaluationese Collaboration = Trust Collaboration = Trust –Remove fear –Public trust –Academic trust –Relationships Exchange & implementation of ideas Created by Dolighan for Canadian Health Services Research Foundation 15

Evaluationese Collaboration = Change/Helping people Collaboration = Change/Helping people Exchange & implementation of ideas 16

Evaluationese How do you learn a new language? How do you learn a new language? –Venture beyond your planet –Communicate  Objectives  Criteria  Success  Logistics  Etc… Created by Dolighan for Canadian Health Services Research Foundation 17

Evaluationese How do you learn a new language? How do you learn a new language? –Learn & educate –Patience –Understanding –Attend UW Summits (aka DHRN Network Conferences) 18

Questions? Aarin Frigon, M.A. 19