Evaluation Process Overview

• Evaluation should begin as soon as a program is planned and continue throughout its lifecycle.
• Early evaluations help minimize mistakes and increase the likelihood of program success.
• Evaluation activities must be part of the program’s ongoing operations, not an afterthought.
• A well-designed program simplifies the evaluation of final results through collected data.
• Continuous assessment allows for real-time adjustments to improve program effectiveness.
• The evaluation process should include both qualitative and quantitative measures.

Types of Evaluation Measures

• Process Measures: Assess how the program is operating, including fidelity to the model and attendance rates.
• Outcome Measures: Evaluate the benefits to participants, such as improvements in health status and functional abilities.
• Examples of process measures include the number of instructors trained and participant enrollment statistics.
• Outcome measures can include self-reported health improvements and observed changes in functional mobility.
• Both types of measures are essential for a comprehensive evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Data collected can be used to demonstrate the program’s value to stakeholders and funding agencies.