NCJ Number
135817
Date Published
1989
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This monograph explains evaluation strategies to State juvenile justice specialists, State advisory groups, juvenile program administrators, and others interested in learning more about the processes and outcomes produced by Formula Grants projects under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Abstract
This primer provides practical advice on the creation or enhancement of evaluation programs within the scope of budgetary, staffing, time, and other administrative obstacles. In its explanation of the variety and types of program evaluations that can be used by juvenile justice specialists, this monograph shows that Formula Grant programs are more suited to sophisticated evaluation than many had previously thought. The monograph suggests ways to overcome obstacles to effective evaluation such as lack of resources, service delivery priorities, and time constraints and focuses on the use of existing data. Advice is offered on the improvement of communication between the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the States regarding evaluation standards. Topics covered include incentives for and the logic of evaluation, evaluation approaches, and the organization of an evaluation program. 4 references, a glossary, and a subject index