Using internal process evaluation to ensure compliance with provisions for Corporation grantees
Abstract
The program director of the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SWLAHEC)/AmeriCorps Health Corps, a multi-site AmeriCorps program in Louisiana, developed an evaluation tool that helped monitor internal processes. Using the tool at the midway point of service allowed staff and members to focus specifically on strengths and weaknesses of the program to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Corporation (their funder). Brenda Dane, Program Director, (SWLAHEC)/ AmeriCorps Health Corps submitted this effective practice in June 2004. View a copy of the evaluation form .Issue
Good performance measurement needs to include internal evaluation so that programs may continually improve services and operate within Corporation-mandated guidelines. However, for multi-site programs, collecting data for internal evaluation may be particularly problematic.Action
According to the Program Director of the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SWLAHEC)/AmeriCorps Health Corps, the Process Evaluation Form she adapted and implemented is used as follows:- An internal evaluation is conducted at midpoint and at the end of each service year to determine areas needing focus for upcoming potential funding, and allowing for a thorough documentation of internal processes related to running an AmeriCorps program.
- Program directors or senior staff can administer the evaluation themselves, or it can be administered by an external evaluator.
- For self-assessment, the Program Director or other Senior Staff should complete the form based on knowledge of the program's reporting and overall progress at any time during the grant program year.
- For external review, it is recommended that the form be completed quarterly.
- The individual completing the form needs to be familiar with AmeriCorps requirements. In order to facilitate review of such requirements, each item listed on the form is referenced to the appropriate requirement.
- Areas assessed include: Reporting and Communication Compliance, Early Issue Detection, Member Documentation Compliance, (includes Benefits and Coverage and Follow-Up and Support), Financial Compliance (includes Financial Systems and Follow-Up and Support), Policies and Procedures Compliance, and Program Effectiveness and Compliance (includes Background Information, Organizational Strengths and Weaknesses, Service Project Effectiveness, Member Experience, Follow-up and Support).
Context
The Process Evaluation Form is a revised and updated version of an older document. When Brenda Dane joined the SWLAHEC/AmeriCorps Health Corps, she used the document as a starting point and then added new information based on her own program needs and experiences.
The SWLAHEC/AmeriCorps program supports and furthers the mission of the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center of improving the health status of rural Louisianans through programs designed to remove barriers for accessing healthcare in medically underserved areas of the state. The SWLAHEC/AmeriCorps program recognizes that Louisiana ranks 49th in health disparities (23.9 percent below the national average) and is in the bottom five states on seven of the seventeen national health status measures, and in the bottom ten on eight additional measures (e.g., tobacco use, heart disease risk, children in poverty, lack of health insurance, support for public health, infectious disease, cancer deaths). AmeriCorps service area spans thirteen counties in Southwest Louisiana and also serves areas in North, Central and Southeastern Louisiana.
AmeriCorps members address community health needs by implementing health promotion/disease prevention projects within SWLAHEC and at established partner sites, participate in health care recruitment planning, coordinate community clinic services delivery, coordinate and implement health care exposure workforce initiatives and assist with continuing education for healthcare professionals.
Outcome
This performance tool works internally to identify deficiencies and strengths, subsequently improving the overall efficacy and efficiency of program goals and objectives from a compliance standpoint.As a result of creating the document, the program director was able to gain a better overall understanding about what is required to follow Corporation provisions.Posted On
July 22, 2004For More Information
Resources
Tools for AmeriCorps programs can be found on the Corporation's website at http://www.americorps.org/resources/index.htmlThe SWLAHEC/AmeriCorps Health Corps Process Evaluation Form is provided as an MS Word document. Programs will need to edit text where appropriate. http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/filemanager/download/Process_Eval_Form_SWLAHEC.doc (205 MB)
Source Documents
Related Practices
Related sites
Corporation for National and Community Service