We would begin the evaluation by taking time to deepen our collective understanding of the NHL program, through examining existing grant data and initiative frameworks as well as through investigating comparable initiatives in other states to identify best and promising practices related to the seven facets of NHL work: integrating school and community work related to nutrition and physical activity interventions, behavior change, health status change, intended vs. actual reach, sustainability, systems change impact, and community engagement. This research would be summarized in a phase one report and provide the basis for a more detailed phase two evaluation plan.
Phase two would involve new data collection, including working with grantees to identify common measures on reach, health indicators, and behavioral change, conducting interviews to learn more about grantees’ and beneficiaries’ experiences with the grant projects, and capturing broader system-level impacts. Findings, including portfolio outputs, best and promising practices, and strategies for grantee community engagement, would be presented in multiple formats in order to ensure the information is available to multiple audiences.
