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Session Title: Evaluating the Value of Partnerships in State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programs
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Panel Session 588 to be held in Sebastian Section I1 on Friday, Nov 13, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Government Evaluation TIG
and the Health Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Jan Jernigan, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, jjernigan1@cdc.gov
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| Abstract:
The logic model for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) State-based Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (NPAO) Program posits that funding and technical assistance provided by CDC helps states build capacity, including qualified staffing and strong partnerships, to implement effective obesity programs. We describe the mixed-methods NPAO evaluation design, which assessed states' progress on required grantee activities and elucidated the contextual realities of states' program planning and implementation experiences. For example, this mixed methods approach allowed the team to identify how strong partnerships are central to states' success in developing and implementing NPAO programs. CDC staff share their experiences using evaluation findings to inform planning for future NPAO program evaluations and program improvement efforts. Panelists also discuss the promise that evaluation findings have for justifying federal investment in state capacity building.
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Evaluating the Value of Partnerships in State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programs
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| James Hersey, RTI International, hersey@rti.org
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| Bridget Kelly, RTI International, bkelly@rti.org
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| LaShawn Curtis, RTI International, lcurtis@rti.org
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| Joseph Horne, RTI International, jhorne@rti.org
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| Amy Roussel, RTI International, roussel@rti.org
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| Pam Williams-Piehota, RTI International, ppiehota@rti.org
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Jim Hersey is the Project Director for the RTI International evaluation contract with the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO). Dr. Hersey worked closely with DNPAO staff to design the evaluation, and he managed evaluation activities throughout the five-year project period.
Dr. Hersey will present the mixed-methods approach used to evaluate the FY 2003-2008 NPAO program. While the presentation focuses primarily on evaluation methods and process, evaluation findings will be highlighted to demonstrate the value of the mixed-methods NPAO evaluation design. Specifically, results of qualitative analysis, as well as correlation and means comparison analyses, will be presented as they represent emerging evidence for the centrality of strong partnerships to states' success in obesity program development and implementation. Dr. Hersey will share lessons learned about evaluating state obesity programs and discuss promising directions for evaluation in federally funded, state-based chronic disease programs.
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Evaluating the Value of Partnerships in State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programs
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| Rosanne Farris, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rfarris@cdc.gov
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As Chief of the Program Development and Evaluation Branch, Rosanne Farris provides oversight to the CDC teams that manage the state-based NPAO program and the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity's evaluation efforts. She will speak to the challenge of balancing federal performance monitoring and accountability demands with the need to conduct evaluations that support program improvement. Dr. Farris will also discuss how evaluation findings from the completed NPAO program are being used by the Division to guide evaluation planning and program improvement efforts for the current NPAO program. Lastly, drawing on her extensive evaluation experience with other CDC chronic disease programs, Dr. Farris will discuss the benefits and challenges of exploring context in evaluations of federally funded, state-based public health initiatives.
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