Seek Specialized Assistance

Many community organizers and prevention practitioners are intimidated by the need to evaluate the progress or effectiveness of their programs. They may believe that they do not have the resources, time, or expertise to conduct evaluations. Some feel that the results will be harmful in some way to the morale of participants or funding sources. As a result, practitioners often lose the opportunity to gain objective information about the success of their hard work.

With some careful thought and consultant expertise, however, it is possible to design evaluations that will yield information about implementing a prevention program and its impact or outcome. Find an expert who can provide consultation regarding the planning and design of an evaluation. Your local university may have a substance abuse-related department or area of specialization, or it may have one or more professors who specialize in substance abuse projects. They are often eager to provide research-related consultation. Alternatively, they may be willing to identify graduate students who may be sufficiently qualified to provide basic consultant services or even combine their graduate work with your prevention project.

As stated earlier, the easiest way for practitioners to utilize the specialized skills of evaluators is to hire them as consultants. Identify and contact evaluators who specialize in prevention research and prevention science through such associations as the Society of Prevention Research. They maintain an online membership roster. Likewise, the American Evaluation Association includes evaluators with specializations in program evaluation in numerous areas, including substance abuse. Contact Topical Interest Group (TIG) leaders through their Website in the “TIG” section.