| Session Title: The Value of Training Clients and Program Personnel in Logic Models and Evaluation Techniques (or Evaluators are From Mars, Stakeholders are From Venus, and We All Want to Work on Earth) |
| Think Tank Session 419 to be held in Capistrano A on Thursday, Nov 3, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Organizational Learning and Evaluation Capacity Building |
| Presenter(s): |
| Laran Despain, University of Wyoming, ldespain@uwyo.edu |
| Discussant(s): |
| Laran Despain, University of Wyoming, ldespain@uwyo.edu |
| Laura Feldman, University of Wyoming, lfeldman@uwyo.edu |
| Mariah Storey, Wyoming Department of Health, mariah.storey@health.wyo.gov |
| Abstract: As evaluators, we are trained in using logic models and other specific evaluation techniques (e.g., measurement) to provide clients with information about programs. Stakeholders generally are not trained in the same techniques. This disparity can create difficulties in developing evaluation plans, data collection, and communication of evaluation findings. During this think tank, the presenters will discuss how they have collaborated with programming personnel at the state and rural county levels to teach techniques of evaluation to improve collaboration with stakeholders and evaluation. Collaboration occurred through face-to-face meetings, document sharing, and web-based meetings. The presenters will discuss the benefits, obstacles, and lessons they encountered in the process of training stakeholders in basic evaluation skills. The liaison between the evaluator and the state-level client will be present to provide a client perspective. Presenters will also encourage attendees to share their experiences working with non-evaluator stakeholders to improve collaboration on evaluation and programming. |