Staff (parts of the whole) undergo periodic employee evaluations, why not the organization (the whole)? Is the organization or program evidence-based, and strengths-centered? To what degree does it align with intended outcomes? 3rd party evidence-based evaluations and reviews provide objective answers that help improve agency operations, manage resistance to change, and can be effective vehicles for communicating with internal and external stakeholders. Other uses may also include;

1. developing and utilizing performance measures to assess key results;
2. developing and implementing action plans;
3. monitoring implementation through process evaluation.
4. uncovering and more clearly articulating challenges to tackle, actions to take, and why, plus
5. determining where opportunities lie ahead.

Our services can help you leverage the power of proven methods, mindsets, and resources for the immediate and long-term benefit of all involved. The following sections will introduce you to our key assessment services; Program Reviews, Evaluation Report Cards, and Organizational Certification.

Are you utilizing a training program you are not sure if its evidence-based (EB)? Are your people running a program at your agency that you just not sure if its a valid EB program? Do you sometimes wonder if a program you are considering is evidence-based?

Our review service enables agencies to have their training modules reviewed by an independent 3rd party and determine the degree to which it adheres to evidence-based frameworks.

We collaborate with you to review programs you may be considering, or are currently utilizing for delivering services. We then summarize our findings and provide existing research to support (or not support) your use of that programs. Specifically, we will:

• Read and review the reference material from the individual program
• Analyze the references and provide feedback as to their suitability and effectiveness
• Locate specific research, academic and scientific, that further supports the practice being evidence-based versus a promising practice

We will also provide further guidance via phone or email during the contract phase regarding the curriculum contents.

We recommend periodic EBO performance evaluations. They help to ensure data driven decision-making, and actions guided by evidence-based frameworks. As an independent evaluator we objectively assess work being done, and examine the degree to which results line-up with your (and your funders') intended outcomes. We then produce your very own comprehensive report card of our findings and recommendations.

Our efforts focus on the five areas of evidence-based organizational development and effectiveness:

1. Knowledge and use of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.
2.  Demonstration of effective organizational leadership.
3. Understanding of organizational culture and use of organizational assessment.
4. Utilization of effective strategic planning, performance measurement, and program evaluation.
5. Ongoing efforts to enhance organizational capacity and sustainability.

Agencies, if they wish may share their report card with stakeholders, employees and funders.

Funders have also been known to require it as well because they too derive significant benefits from the report. For example, it helps them;

• Determine the extent agencies they oversee are evidence-based organization
• Use report findings and recommendations to design funding strategies and initiatives that are data-informed, and
• Disburse funds more efficiently and agency specific for targeted capacity building.

You could also use our reports to determine what on-site training and capacity building you need for shoring up operational gaps that may be hampering progress. Checkout insights from others below like you and how it benefitted them.

Because our report card process is designed and executed in alignment with basic evaluation principles, it benefits you in several ways. For instance:

• Utility: Ensures you are collecting credible, useful and timely information. An effective evaluation helps you determine what is working and how. It also informs decision-making to address current realities, make needed adjustments, or discontinue an effort altogether
• Feasibility: Prioritizes evaluation that is practical, cost-effective and politically viable
• Propriety: Accounts for legal and ethical standards governing an evaluation process. Careful consideration is given for all involved and for others who might be impacted
• Accuracy: Relates to the rigor of your evaluation plan, data collection methods and willingness to report the bad just as much as the good. Data gathered must be accurate to both be useful and ensure your organization’s credibility.

Click here to see a list of our customers.

With our expert personnel and software tools, we'll project manage in the following four steps with minimum onsite involvement.

1. Using online tools, we will gather survey data from staff
2. Survey data gathered will be analyzed
3. A report will be produced based on data gathered
4. Recommendations will be made based on analysis of data gathered

Are you ready to take the next step and begin the process?

Becoming a Certified Evidence-Based Organizational (CEBO) is the logical next step beyond the standard evaluation and report card.

Joyfields Institute will train and guide organizations and their staff through the process of becoming certified under standards established by the Society for Evidence-Based Professionals (ebpsociety.org). The standards are driven by methods for (i) systematically building capacity as evidence-based organizations (EBO), while (ii) recognizing abilities and accomplishments the organizations themselves demonstrate in the area of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.

Certification requirements are the same for all types of agencies and organizations. The following five areas are emphasized:

• Knowledge and use of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices
• Demonstrating effective leadership
• Organizational culture and assessment
• Strategic planning, performance measurement, and program evaluation
• Building capacity and sustainability

Note: If you're planning on attending our ebpsociety.org, we highly recommend getting the process started as the EBO Masterclass is a pre-requisite for certification.