title: The value of engaging stakeholders in planning and implementing evaluations.
abstract: Stakeholder participation in evaluation has surfaced as a major factor contributing to the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. In recognition of the multiple benefits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has used a framework to involve stakeholders in the evaluation of its programs. This article describes the framework used by the CDC and provides examples of four studies that involved various stakeholders from health departments, community-based organizations, and community planning groups to national and regional organizations in designing and implementing evaluations that yielded results useful for program improvement. The participatory process involved stakeholders in each of the four phases of the framework: evaluation planning, implementation, development of action plans, and dissemination. Lessons learned include the importance of having a facilitator to coordinate activities and ongoing communication with those involved in the evaluation. Stakeholders shared that using the evaluation results for action planning was beneficial for improving their programs. Despite many challenges faced in the stakeholder evaluation process, most stakeholders agreed that many benefits grew out of the multiple perspectives presented and understanding of the service agencies.
authors.affiliation: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention-Intervention Research and Support, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. AGG0@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilliam
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrington
authors.forename: Romel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lacson
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Uhl
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Phoenix
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D003256:Community Participation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States