The USA Center provides evaluation services to help document impact and identify areas for improvement, using traditional and developmental evaluation approaches to help organizations plan new initiatives, measure program outcomes, and adapt existing programming when situations change.
We understand that public health programs and services operate in complex environments and that they need rapid, real-time feedback for building ongoing improvements. This is particularly true in the field of public health preparedness. To meet these needs, we offer a range of services including data collection and analysis, survey design, program evaluation, training needs assessments and training evaluations. In addition, we apply evaluation strategies to assess emergency operations plans, using techniques such as tabletop exercises, or jurisdictional response efforts, such as After Action Reports (AARs). In addition, our team has expertise in developing frameworks to interpret and apply assessment results through a three-phase community engagement-based process to integrate mitigation planning processes into public health preparedness at the state, local or regional level.
Examples of our work in evaluation include:
TxPHRAT Texas Public Health Risk Assessment Tool
The Texas Public Health Risk Assessment Tool (TxPHRAT) was developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and its partners to assess residual risk, capability gaps and resource gaps at the county level. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the center creates trainings and tools to assist counties across Texas with the interpretation and use of TxPHRAT. The CDC has acknowledged the value of these tools and showcased them at the national level.
Mitigation Planning Process
In an effort to integrate a systematic mitigation planning process at the state level, the center created a strategic plan for the TxPHRAT Mitigation Planning Process (MPP). This strategic plan was developed from the perspective of Texas Department of State Health Services central office staff through a series of meetings, email communications, individual discussions and an online survey. From these interactions, required elements, integration steps and a timeline were identified to achieve the vision for the mitigation process.
High Consequence Infection Diseases
The center conducted tabletop exercises in 11 health regions across Texas as part of a culminating experience for the Texas Department of State Health Services High Consequence Infectious Disease Workshops. An exercise focused on elements of response to Ebola was designed and delivered in each of the regions. An AAR was created for each region, as well as a summary AAR for all 11 regions, and reflected input from more than 1,000 participants from across the state involved in planning for a high consequence infectious disease outbreak.
Contact us for consultation on your evaluation needs.
