Date: July 20, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM ET
Format: Webinar
Cost: FREE
Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance)
Target Audience: Prevention Professionals
Developed for: SAMHSA Region 3
SERIES DESCRIPTION
Evaluation is a core aspect of improving prevention programming. Through the collection and analysis of information relevant to prevention activities, prevention professionals can reduce uncertainty around the effectiveness of programs and improve decision-making. In recognition of its importance, SAMHSA has identified evaluation as the fifth step of its strategic planning process, the Strategic Prevention Framework. Intended for non-evaluators, this webinar series will review the importance and key characteristics of evaluation and discuss opportunities to facilitate improvements in evaluation efforts. Part 1 of the series will introduce evaluation to participants and explain how and why evaluation supports strategic planning efforts, while Part 2 will discuss how evaluations are implemented and opportunities to improve evaluation efforts.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This webinar will follow-up part 1 by providing additional guidance on developing and implementing evaluations. It will discuss opportunities for non-evaluators to support and improve evaluation efforts. The webinar will also cover how program staff can help determine the core elements of an evaluation plan and what staff should do to avoid having an unsuccessful plan. Additionally, it will review the core evaluation tasks and discuss opportunities for program managers and other staff to support those efforts. Lastly, the webinar will provide a learning activity for participants to practice skills for developing their own evaluation plans.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain how they can support the development of an evaluation plan
- Recognize the signs of an unsuccessful evaluation
- Identify opportunities for supporting evaluation efforts
- Demonstrate how evaluation research questions are developed
PRESENTERS
Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.
David Theiss, MSc oversees Carnevale Associates’ portfolio of Research & Evaluation projects, leading teams focused on data analytics across several program evaluation and research projects. Under David’s supervision, the R&E team serves a diverse group of behavioral health clients at multiple levels of government, including the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and the District Department of Behavioral Health. David also oversees the development of all of the firm’s external-facing and data visualization products across functional teams. While at the firm, David’s work has spanned several subject matter specialisms, ranging from biased-based policing, medication for opioid use disorders, drug courts, and layered interventions for unhoused individuals. He has over 15 years of research, data analysis, data communication, project management, and strategic planning experience in high-level settings in the U.S. and Europe. David holds a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics.
*CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for the 1.25 contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform.
Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days.
If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].
