NCJ Number
54621
Journal
BELLRINGER, ISSUES 9 & 10 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978-JANUARY 1979) Pages: 27-32
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
NEBRASKA'S SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING LEAA-FUNDED PROJECTS IS DESCRIBED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE SYSTEM'S PROBLEMS.
Abstract
IN NEBRASKA, CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION IS ASSIGNED TO THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CENTER (SAC), WHERE STAFFING CONSISTS OF 2.5 POSITIONS. PROJECT EVALUATIONS ARE PERFORMED ON A CONTRACT BASIS, WITH 10 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL GRANT AWARD FOR EACH PROJECT ALLOCATED TO EVALUATION. DURING FISCAL 1977, 10 PROJECT EVALUATIONS WERE INITIATED AT A COST OF $22,873. PROJECTS ARE SELECTED FOR EVALUATION AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH PLANNING YEAR. SELECTION IS DONE SOMEWHAT ARBITRARILY, BUT GENERALLY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE SIZE OF THE GRANT AWARD, THE NATURE AND INNOVATIVENESS OF THE PROJECT, AND THE FEASIBILITY OF EVALUATION. THE SAC MONITORS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EVALUATION CONSULTANTS IT HIRES, APPROVES FINAL EVALUATION REPORTS, AND PASSES ON THE REPORTS TO PROJECT STAFF AND TO THE STATE COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THE EVALUATION SYSTEM IS CONCEPTUALLY WELL FOUNDED, BUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS HAMPER ITS ADMINISTRATION. MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION OF THE EVALUATION FUNCTION IN THE SAC; (2) LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM LEAA TO IMPLEMENT ITS EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL; (3) INAPPROPRIATE EMPHASIS ON THE COMPLIANCE ASPECTS OF EVALUATION, AS OPPOSED TO THE INFORMATION EVALUATION CAN PROVIDE TO PROJECT STAFF; AND (4) THE INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF EVALUATION SERVICES, FAVORING URBAN PROJECTS. PLANS AND EFFORTS TO HELP PROJECTS BUILD THE CAPACITY TO PERFORM THEIR OWN EVALUATIONS ARE NOTED, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EVALUATION HANDBOOK FOR REGIONAL PLANNERS AND GRANT APPLICANTS. (LKM)