Purpose and evaluation questions
The evaluator will establish defensible baseline and follow-up measures, assess implementation
and participation, document community experience, and support continuous program
improvement. The evaluation should address:
• Who is reached across the four communities, and who is not reached?
• Are grant activities implemented as planned?
• Do participating households report changes in knowledge, skills, confidence, food access,
food preparation, preservation, gardening, and diabetes prevention awareness?
• What practical barriers, cultural strengths, and local adaptations affect implementation
and sustainability?
• What progress is demonstrated toward the narrative’s three-year goal that at least 75% of
participating households report increased knowledge, skills, and confidence related to
growing, preparing, preserving, or accessing healthy foods?
Scope of work
A. Evaluation design and startup
• Review the approved project narrative, workplan, award conditions, participant
eligibility policy, and existing CATG forms; identify inconsistencies and recommend
resolutions for CATG approval.
• Develop a concise evaluation plan, logic model or measurement map, data dictionary,
outcome definitions, and collection schedule with clear responsibility assignments.
• Specify numerator, denominator, survey matching method, missing-data treatment,
and interpretation for the 75% household outcome; distinguish Year 1 interim
measures from the three-year target.
• Consult with the SDPI Director, community staff, and appropriate community
representatives on culturally respectful and feasible methods.
B. Instruments and data collection
• Review and finalize the household application, baseline survey, education completion
record, midseason check-in, and end-of-season survey already drafted by CATG.
• Use matched, consistently worded baseline/follow-up items where change is claimed;
advise whether validated food-security questions are appropriate.
• Create practical tracking templates for unique individuals, households, community,
activities, classes, assistance provided, follow-up, screenings, and referrals, with
safeguards against double counting.
• Train CATG staff on consistent collection, informed participation, secure handling,
and quality checks; provide remote technical assistance as needed.
• Recommend a feasible approach to community feedback, such as short interviews,
listening sessions, or open-ended survey questions, subject to CATG approval