Question 1

What is the Detroit Youth Program Evaluation Initiative?

Accepted Answer

The initiative connects Detroit youth-serving nonprofit and community organizations with program evaluation expertise through Michigan State University’s Organizational Disparities Laboratory. ODL works with organizations to help them better understand participant experiences and program outcomes and to build practical systems for collecting, analyzing, and using program data.

Question 2

Who is eligible to participate?

Accepted Answer

The initiative is intended for nonprofit and community organizations providing essential services to DPSCD-affiliated youth-serving programs. Because programs vary considerably in size, structure, and evaluation needs, ODL begins with a short conversation to determine whether an organization and program are a good fit for the initiative.

Question 3

Does participation cost anything?

Accepted Answer

Core program evaluation support is available at no cost to eligible organizations. If an organization requests services that fall substantially outside the scope of the initiative, ODL will discuss those needs and any potential costs with the organization before moving forward.

Question 4

Do we need an existing evaluation system?

Accepted Answer

No. Organizations can participate whether they already collect extensive program data, collect only basic information, or are developing an evaluation process for the first time. ODL will begin by learning what information you currently collect and what you would like to better understand.

Question 5

What types of programs can be evaluated?

Accepted Answer

ODL works with a wide variety of youth-serving programs. Evaluation may focus on academic development; college and career readiness; social-emotional development and mental wellness; mentorship and belonging; economic stability and basic needs; violence prevention and justice diversion; arts, culture, recreation, and enrichment; and other youth development outcomes.

Question 6

What does the evaluation process involve?

Accepted Answer

For organizations participating in the initiative, ODL provides a ready-to-use evaluation tool that can be slightly customized to reflect your program and the young people you serve. The process typically includes an initial consultation, limited tool customization, organization-led survey administration with guidance and assistance from ODL, data analysis by ODL, and an accessible summary of aggregate results. If your organization requires evaluation support beyond the scope of this offering, ODL can work with you to design a more customized evaluation process that aligns with your specific goals and needs.

Question 7

How much staff time will participation require?

Accepted Answer

ODL designs the evaluation process to minimize unnecessary administrative burden. Participating organizations will need to identify a primary point of contact. Staff will also need to assist with information gathering, survey administration, and ongoing engagement with ODL regarding initiative progress. ODL will provide guidance and support throughout the process to help make participation as manageable as possible for your team.

Question 8

Will ODL create the evaluation tools?

Accepted Answer

ODL provides participating organizations with a ready-to-use evaluation tool designed to help them better understand how their programs are working and what participants are experiencing. The tool is customized to reflect the overarching goals and context of each program while maintaining a consistent evaluation structure. This gives organizations a practical way to gather meaningful feedback and assess program outcomes without having to build an evaluation system from scratch. This core evaluation tool and support are provided at no cost to eligible organizations. If your organization is looking for evaluation support beyond the scope of this offering, ODL can work with you to design a more customized evaluation approach aligned with your specific goals and needs.

Question 9

Can we include questions that are specific to our organization?

Accepted Answer

The evaluation tool provided at no cost is customized to reflect the overarching goals and context of your program, but it does not include organization-specific custom questions. If your organization would like to add questions tailored to specific priorities, outcomes, or areas of interest, ODL can work with you to develop those additions as part of a customized evaluation engagement for an additional cost.

Question 10

What happens to our data?

Accepted Answer

All evaluation data are handled in accordance with applicable Michigan State University research and data protection requirements. Participating organizations receive aggregate evaluation results at no cost. These results are designed to help organizations understand overall participant experiences and program outcomes while protecting individual participant privacy. If your organization would benefit from more in-depth analysis, additional reporting, or a more customized interpretation of the data, ODL can work with you to develop an expanded approach based on your specific needs.

Question 11

Will individual participant responses be shared publicly?

Accepted Answer

No. To protect participant privacy and in accordance with applicable Michigan State University research and data protection requirements, individual participant responses will not be shared. All evaluation results will be reported in aggregate form.

Question 12

Who owns the results?

Accepted Answer

Organizations will receive findings from their program evaluation and can use those findings for internal learning, program improvement, stakeholder communication, and other organizational purposes consistent with the evaluation agreement. ODL will discuss data use and reporting expectations with each organization before beginning the evaluation.

Question 13

Can we use the findings in grant proposals or reports to funders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. One of the goals of the initiative is to help organizations develop credible evidence they can use when communicating about their programs. Organizations may use appropriate evaluation findings in grant applications, annual reports, presentations, fundraising materials, and conversations with stakeholders.

Question 14

Is this an audit of our program?

Accepted Answer

No. The purpose of the initiative is not to grade organizations or determine whether a program has “passed” or “failed.” Evaluation is intended to help organizations learn: understand what participants are experiencing, identify outcomes, recognize strengths, and find opportunities for continued improvement.

Question 15

What if our results are not what we expected?

Accepted Answer

That is still useful information. Good evaluation is designed to help organizations understand what is happening, not simply to produce positive findings. ODL can help organizations interpret unexpected results and consider what those findings might mean for future programming.

Question 16

How long does an evaluation take?

Accepted Answer

Timelines depend on the program calendar, number of participants, and implementation schedule. ODL will establish an expected timeline with each organization before evaluation administration begins.

Question 17

Can ODL evaluate more than one of our programs?

Accepted Answer

Potentially. We recommend beginning by discussing your organization’s highest-priority evaluation needs. ODL can then determine what level of support is feasible and whether multiple programs can be included.

Question 18

What happens after the evaluation is complete?

Accepted Answer

ODL will provide participating organizations with an accessible summary of aggregate findings and help interpret what the results mean. Where appropriate, ODL may also discuss opportunities for continued evaluation so organizations can track changes and outcomes over time.

Question 19

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Complete the short interest form on this webpage. An ODL team member will follow up to learn more about your organization and determine next steps.

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