Coalition Offers Brief Expert Advice in Evidence-Based Reform
How We Can Help:
Consistent with our nonprofit mission, we are available to provide brief expert advice, without charge, on implementation of evidence-based approaches.
· We can assist in two general areas: (i) advancing rigorous – preferably randomized – evaluations of program effectiveness, in order to grow the number of research-proven social programs; and (ii) identifying and effectively implementing such programs.
· We provide quick-turnaround assistance, via phone or email, that is practical and easy to understand. See the sidebar on the right for our contact information and specific examples of how we can help.
This service has been made possible through support from the William T. Grant, MacArthur, and Edna McConnell Clark Foundations.
Why We Offer This Service:
Evidence-based reform is an important new movement in American government. Recent developments include:
· In fall 2009, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag announced a major government-wide initiative to fund rigorous evaluations in federal social, educational, and economic program areas, and the federal budget includes sizeable increases in funding for such evaluations.
· Congress has enacted important new initiatives to expand implementation of evidence-based programs, such as the Evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention initiative, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Investing in Innovation Fund.
The OMB Director has written a summary of the Obama Administration’s evidence-based initiatives, which includes a link to our website.
We strongly support these developments, which incorporate concepts we have promoted through work with OMB, Congress, and federal agencies since 2001. We have also provided input to policymakers on the design of many of the specific initiatives.
But the success of these efforts in expanding programs that are truly supported by strong evidence will depend critically on key details of implementation. Several prior federal efforts have had strong wording about rigorous evidence yet fell short in actually advancing evidence-based approaches. The Help Desk can assist in advancing evidence-based reforms that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
Illustrative Help Desk Users:
· Policy officials seeking to build evidence about “what works” that will be widely accepted as scientifically valid; or to distinguish programs that are truly research-proven from the many that claim to be.
· Researchers seeking to identify key items to get right in a rigorous evaluation, to ensure it produces valid evidence.
· State and local program providers seeking a grant award under the new federal evidence-based initiatives, to implement a highly effective program.
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The Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. We have no affiliation with any programs or program models, enabling us to serve as a neutral, independent resource on evidence-based reform.
