NCJ Number
52877
Journal
EVALUATION QUARTERLY Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 696-707
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE FORMAL MECHANISM ESTABLISHED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES TO ASSURE THAT EVALUATION RESULTS ENTER INTO THE POLICY DECISIONMAKING PROCESS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE DEPARTMENT'S EVALUATION ANALYSIS AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT (EAPD) PROCESS PROVIDES FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS INVOLVING THE ADMINISTRATORS OF EVALUATED PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENTAL POLICYMAKERS, AND OFFICE OF EVALUATION STAFF MEMBERS WHO CONDUCT PROGRAM EVALUATIONS. DURING THESE MEETINGS, POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF EVALUATION STUDIES ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED, AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DEVELOPED FOR PRESENTATION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT. IN ITS FIRST 8 MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE EAPD PROCESS PRODUCED MORE THAN 15 MAJOR POLICY AND BUDGET CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS IN 5 PROGRAM AREAS. THE EADP PROCESS HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO SERVE AS A MECHANISM FOR TRACKING AND MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY AND PROGRAM PLANS DEVELOPED IN EAPD MEETINGS. THE PROCESS HAS HELPED TO RATIONALIZE POLICY DECISIONMAKING, TO EXPAND AND CLARIFY THE EVALUATION FUNCTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, TO REDIRECT EVALUATIONS TOWARD ASSESSMENT OF ESSENTIAL POLICIES THAT AFFECT PROGRAM OUTCOMES, AND TO OPEN NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVALUATORS. THE EAPD APPROACH PROBABLY IS APPLICABLE AT ALL GOVERNMENT LEVELS. HOWEVER, ITS SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE SUPPORT OF KEY ADMINISTRATORS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF WELL TRAINED, WELL ORGANIZED RESEARCHERS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)