The Use of the Data-to-Action Framework in the Evaluation of CDC's DELTA FOCUS Program

J Public Health Manag Pract. 2018 Jan/Feb;24 Suppl 1 Suppl, Injury and Violence Prevention(Suppl 1 INJURY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION):S51-S58. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000677.

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances, Focusing on Outcomes for Communities United with States (DELTA FOCUS) program is a 5-year cooperative agreement (2013-2018) funding 10 state domestic violence coalitions and local coordinated community response teams to engage in primary prevention of intimate partner violence. Grantees' prevention strategies were often developmental and emergent; therefore, CDC's approach to program oversight, administration, and support to grantees required a flexible approach. CDC staff adopted a Data-to-Action Framework for the DELTA FOCUS program evaluation that supported a culture of learning to meet dynamic and unexpected information needs. Briefly, a Data-to-Action Framework involves the collection and use of information in real time for program improvement. Utilizing this framework, the DELTA FOCUS data-to-action process yielded important insights into CDC's ongoing technical assistance, improved program accountability by providing useful materials, and information for internal agency leadership, and helped build a learning community among grantees. CDC and other funders, as decision makers, can promote program improvements that are data-informed by incorporating internal processes supportive of ongoing data collection and review.

MeSH terms

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Interinstitutional Relations
  • Intimate Partner Violence / prevention & control*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality Improvement
  • United States