Prevention Evaluation

Evaluation is an essential part of any complete prevention program development and implementation model. It is an integral part of program planning and should not be considered an afterthought. Evaluation is a systematic process of obtaining credible information to be used by interested persons for the purposes of program improvement and program assessment. Evaluation serves many purposes, including demonstrating accountability, educating constituents, documenting program components and results, involving stakeholders (key personnel), gaining community support, promoting public relations, and fulfilling agency-funding requirements. Evaluation does not make conclusions about the value of a program, nor of the people involved in the program. It provides information for program improvement and, in many cases, justification for ongoing funding. Although substance abuse prevention theory and practice have evolved, the political ...