Core Competency: Managing Information and Evaluation

Information is used to tell a story and in the case of the Flex Program, it is used to describe the impact of the program on ensuring high quality health care services are delivered in rural communities in alignment with community needs. Data collection is the primary way information is gathered for evaluation of the Flex Program. At its core, evaluation tells the story of the Flex Program and its impact within CAHs and rural communities. Managing the inputs in a program and showing the outputs and outcomes demonstrates how the vision of the Flex Program comes to fruition. As Flex Program staff, there are annual reports as well as progress reports which highlight the processes in place for gathering and managing hospital and/or community data. This data collection and reporting process should be ongoing and directly tied to Flex Program goals and objectives.

PROFICIENCIES:

Utilize a framework for program evaluation
Tell the story of the state Flex Program’s impact and direction to various audiences
Understand evaluation basics and definitions
Utilize SMART goals based on needs
Access and analyze data for decision making
Ensure data reporting deliverables built into contractual agreements with consultants
Utilize process measures and short-, interim-, and long-term outcome measures to assess program progress and plan for the future
Describe measurable outcomes about the state Flex Program’s activities that demonstrate impact