San Francisco Bay Area Evaluators Week: Incorporating Equity into Program Evaluations by Jacqueline Chan

This week of posts is brought to you by SFBAE, with articles written by SFBAE members and focused on the value of community for evaluators and evaluation.

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My name is Jacqueline Chan and I am a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Evaluators (SFBAE) and the Vice President of Impact Strategies at United Way Bay Area. In addition to my role at the nonprofit, I taught EXTX 567: Using Data to Measure Equitable Impact at California State University East Bay. I’m excited to share with you some of the things I’ve learned about using data to drive equitable outcomes. Here’s an overview of key lessons learned, illustrated by the SparkPoint program.

Introduction to Equitable Evaluation

Equitable evaluation integrates principles of equity and inclusivity, focusing on cultural, structural, and contextual factors. It aims to shift power to those most impacted by the programs, ensuring that evaluations reflect their experiences and needs. This approach is crucial for addressing systemic inequities and promoting social justice.

The SparkPoint program, an initiative by United Way Bay Area, is a prime example of equitable evaluation in action. SparkPoint centers provide comprehensive services to help individuals achieve financial stability. Our evaluation framework and approach incorporate equity principles to ensure our programs are effective and inclusive.

SparkPoint Case Study

Key Strategies for Incorporating Equity Principles

1. Stakeholder Engagement.  Engaging stakeholders from the start ensures the evaluation process is inclusive and reflective of community needs. At SparkPoint, we involve community members and local partner organizations in designing and implementing evaluations. We maintain continuous dialogue to reflect and learn together throughout the year.
   
2. Cultural Responsiveness.  Evaluations must consider cultural, historical, and socio-economic contexts. SparkPoint’s methods integrate these factors to ensure our evaluations respect and value the diverse backgrounds of the community members. Although the core SparkPoint model remains the same across the network, each SparkPoint Center is tailored to the needs of their local community.
   
3. Flexible Evaluation Design.  A flexible and adaptable evaluation design allows us to respond to emerging issues and feedback. During the COVID-19 crisis, SparkPoint listened to the community and pivoted to help community members access basic needs. In turn, the evaluation shifted the ways in which program success is defined and measured.
   
4. Building a Culture of Learning and Curiosity. Continuous learning through regular data analysis and feedback loops helps us identify areas for improvement. SparkPoint reviews engagement rates and outcomes by demographic factors to address disparities promptly. 

Lessons Learned

• Engage Diverse Stakeholders: Involving a wide range of voices ensures evaluations address real community concerns.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Incorporating cultural responsiveness leads to more accurate and meaningful evaluations.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in evaluation design helps respond to new insights and challenges.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular data analysis and feedback are crucial for ongoing program enhancement.

Conclusion

Using data to drive equitable impact requires an inclusive, culturally responsive, and flexible approach. The SparkPoint program illustrates how these principles can be applied effectively. By integrating equity into all phases of evaluation, we can ensure our programs are impactful and just.

Rad Resources

• United Way Bay Area
• SparkPoint Program
• Equitable Evaluation Initiative
• Expanding The Bench
• Advancing Culturally-responsive and Equitable (ACE) Evaluation Network

Hot Tips

• Engage diverse stakeholders throughout the evaluation process.
• Incorporate cultural responsiveness in all phases of evaluation.
• Design flexible evaluation frameworks that adapt to new insights.
• Implement continuous learning practices to enhance program impact.

Get Involved

Join efforts to promote equitable evaluation practices. Share your experiences and learn from others to contribute to a more inclusive and effective evaluation field. Together, we can drive meaningful change in our communities.

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