Darwin R. Labarthe

This presentation is intended to link the concepts and examples of evaluation addressed elsewhere in this curriculum with a "logic model" for CDC-funded CVH State programs. The logic model makes explicit the essential elements of a program, with an implied causal connection from one element to the next in a sequential array, from program inception to achievement of its long-term outcomes. A simple model serves to give a broad overview of the State CVH programs, but it is insufficient as a guide to evaluation because it lacks needed detail. A much-expanded logic model can serve to identify key elements more comprehensively and thus aid in planning for evaluation. Despite the apparent complexity of the expanded model, the individual elements remain simple in themselves, and their evaluation can be addressed in simple terms as well. This can be illustrated by the example of partnership development by the State programs as an early step. For the CVH State programs, a format has been devised for documentation of the partnerships established among varying types of organizations and agencies and includes narrative description of each relationship. A summary reporting format describes the numbers of such partnerships by type, as a simple but useful and informative tool for evaluation of this aspect of program development.