Evidence-based Programs
Why shift approach?

• The President has made it clear that policy 

decisions should be driven by evidence

– Evidence about what works and what does not

– Evidence that identifies the greatest needs and 

opportunities to solve great challenges

• Instilling a culture of learning will build 

knowledge so that spending decisions more 

often yield the highest social returns on 

carefully targeted investments

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2015/assets/management.pdf 
Evidence-based Programs

• Are designed based on a specific set of 

assumptions, or theory of change, and 

undergo rigorous scientific evaluation. 

• Use evaluation results to establish causal 

impact of program on beneficiaries

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2015/assets/management.pdf 
Evidence-based Programs

• Programs:

– Include specific implementation procedures

– Often are accompanied by manuals 

– Have explicit costs
Implementation Considerations

Potential Benefits of Evidence-based Programs

• Proven model more likely to work

• Easy to use and replicate

• Greater opportunity to secure funding from a variety of 

sources

• Efficient use of limited resources
Implementation Considerations

Careful Considerations

• Limited adaptability

• Cost

• May require significant planning to replicate
Example

Academic Achievement Program

• Five 30-minute lessons that 

cover one of five specific 

themes

• Sessions conducted with a 

group of four to six 

elementary school students 

• Service activities occurring in 

a separate classroom during 

the school day

• Service activities being 

delivered in a specific 

sequence of stages 

Essential Components

• Time & Topics

• Student Age & Group Size

• Designated Location

• Specific Service Delivery 

Plan 
Fidelity

• Fidelity refers to implementing an evidencebased program according to its original, tested 

design
Implementing an Evidence-based Program

• Identifying your community's needs to determine 

the type of program that will be most appropriate

• Assessing your organizational capacity 

including financial resources, organizational 

commitment, and community buy-in to determine 

your ability to implement a program with fidelity 

• Searching program registries to select a program 

that matches your community needs, your 

organization's available resources, and available 

programs

• Understanding program fidelity and program 

adaptation 

http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/courses/Implementations/resources/imp_course.pdf
Incorporating Evidence-based Programs

Two ways:

• An organization can conduct a rigorous 

evaluation of its own project design to establish 

an evidence basis for its program

Or – 

• An organization can identify and implement a 

packaged evidence-based program 
New Provisions

• Year 1: For every $1,250 in annual base federal 

funding, at least one unduplicated RSVP 

volunteer must be placed in work plans that: 

– Result in National Performance Measure outcomes in 

a combination of any of the focus areas and/or 

Capacity Building Measures; or

– Engage volunteers in an evidence-based program that 

results in a National Performance Measure output in 

health education programming. (Evidence-based, see 

Appendix C) 
New Provisions Cont’d.

• Year 2 and 3: For every $1,000 in annual base 

federal funding, at least one unduplicated RSVP 

volunteer must be placed in work plans that: 

– Result in National Performance Measure outcomes in 

a combination of any of the focus areas and/or 

Capacity Building Measures; or

– Engage volunteers in an evidence-based program that 

results in a National Performance Measure output in 

health education programming. (Evidence-based, see 

Appendix C)
New Provisions Cont’d.

• In Year 1, applicants proposing evidence-based 

programs may be eligible for a higher level of 

federal funding per unduplicated volunteer

– Evidence-based Programs Instructions available 

(Appendix C)

– Access at 2016 RSVP Limited Geographical Area 

NOFO webpage

– http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-yourcapacity/grants/funding-opportunities/2015/2016-rsvplimited-geographical-area
New Provisions Cont’d.

• There is no guarantee of availability of 

additional funding to support evidence-based 

programs

• Final amount to be awarded may be less than 

amount requested, but will not be higher than 

amount requested in application

• Applicants should check current Notice for 

maximum amount that can be requested when 

proposing to implement an evidence-based 

program
Abbreviated Instructions from Appendix C

• Applicants will be asked to include these kinds 

of details and more: 

– Name of evidence-based program 

– Name of federal repository or clearinghouse

– Details on replication and maintaining fidelity

– Description of how results of evaluations are 

applicable to applicant’s proposal
Work Plan: Improved Academic Performance

Objective Output Service Activity Outcome

K-12 

success

ED2. Number of 

students that 

completed 

participation in 

CNCS-supported 

K-12 education 

programs.

Tutoring-Public 

School; 

Tutoring-FaithBased School;

Tutoring-Other

ED5. Number of 

students with 

improved 

academic 

performance in 

literacy and/or 

math.
Work Plan: Health Education Programs

Objective Output Service Activity Outcome

Access to 

Care

H4. Number of 

clients 

participating in 

health 

education 

programs.

Training;

Coaching;

Leading or Assisting Bone 

Builders; 

Matter of Balance 

Chronic Disease SelfManagement Program 

Other ACL Sponsored 

Prevention Programs

None
Federal Repositories

http://www.acl.gov/Programs/CPE/OPE/ADEPP.aspx 
Application Review

Reviewers will have demonstrated expertise in:

• Developing and implementing evidence-based 

programs

• Scaling or replicating successful evidencebased programs

• Assessing applications
• Questions?