Adaptable Evaluation Training and Technical Assistance for Healthy Marriage, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Tribal/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Child Welfare Grantees

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Administration for Children and Families, supports programs that foster healthy marriage, responsible fatherhood, and economic stability to improve the well-being of children and families.

In 2006, OFA awarded grants to support 235 research and demonstration projects, including 125 Healthy Marriage programs, 100 Responsible Fatherhood programs, and 10 Tribal/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs. JBA helped the grantees build their evaluation capacity and strengthen the rigor of their evaluation designs. These efforts enhanced the quality and impact of the projects, facilitating evidence-based information to inform the field about effective approaches.

We conducted a needs assessment for each project and used the findings to plan and deliver evaluation technical assistance through—

• Individualized telephone consultations
• Technical assistance workshops and presentations
• Web-based seminars
• Moderated teleconference calls with groups of grantees
• Site visits
• Feedback on evaluation materials such as evaluation plans, data collection instruments, and data analysis plans
• Referrals to other grantees for peer assistance
• Dissemination of evaluation materials, models, and referrals to resources