Data and Evaluation Training Series #3: Theory of Change

Given limited resources and stretched capacity, data collection procedures and program evaluation strategies at the individual program level often fall short in terms of identifying gaps in service, areas for growth, and program impact. Today, philanthropic giving demands quantifiable return on investment in exchange for donations and grants. Combining nearly 20 years of experience in designing bereavement-focused evaluation protocols with the power of the CBEM, with philanthropic support provided by the New York Life Foundation and in collaboration with the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), Judi’s House/JAG Institute offered a series of free basic trainings in 2022-23 to share best practices in data collection and program evaluation.

This third workshop on Theory of Change will focus on how organizations can define their program model and why going through a theory of change process, including creating a logic model, is the first step in developing evaluation and data collection plans. Presenters will provide key information on what theory of change and logic modeling is. Presenters will discuss the purpose of conducting a theory of change process and how it helps organizations in reaching goals. The workshop will review the core steps in conducting a theory of change process, enabling participants to walk away with clear next steps for how to implement this important evaluation best practice to inform their work.

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose of conducting a theory of change process
• Identify the cores steps of theory of change/logic modeling
• Explain how to use the theory of change and logic models to achieve evaluation goals

Speaker Bios:

Maria Bartini, PhD, is the Evaluation Manager at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. With a doctoral degree in Life-Span Developmental Psychology from the University of Georgia, she has over 20 years’ experience teaching research methods, statistics, and child development at the college level. In her academic career, she also conducted evaluation research in schools, colleges, and youth sports organizations with the overarching goal of improving the lives of children and adolescents. In addition to heading the organization’s Childhood Bereavement Changemaker Initiative, Maria contributes to the evaluation and research activities at Judi’s House. Her work focuses on building evaluation/data utilization capacity in the field of childhood bereavement and evaluating the impact of Judi’s House services. She can be reached at mariab@judishouse.org.

Maddy Saunders, MS, works as a Research Associate at Judi’s House/JAG Institute. In her role, she helps lead the Childhood Bereavement Changemaker expansion, collaborating with organizations across the country to support implementation of data-informed strategies in decision-making, program implementation, and evaluation. Maddy holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology with concentrations in Evaluation Research and Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She can be reached at maddyv@judishouse.org.

Supported by the philanthropic investment
of the New York Life Foundation.