Communication between the grantee and planning council is essential in the evaluation process so that information and data can be shared in an ongoing and timely manner. The planning council and the grantee should establish in writing a process and time line for sharing this data. If the council finds that the existing administrative agency is not administering the work effectively, it is the council's responsibility to make formal recommendations to the CEO for improvement and change. Outcome measures are designed to evaluate the results of an intervention. Outcome should be determined based on identified needs and client satisfaction.
Cost effectiveness relates to maximizing funding - getting the most for a dollar.
In measuring cost effectiveness, a balance must be struck between cost and quality, and it is important to differentiate between costs and charges. The planning council, through the comprehensive planning process, should define the continuum of care in the region and identify measurable outcome objectives and performance indicators that would be beneficial for planning, prioritizing and implementing health care and support service strategies and interventions. These indicators might include such measures as percentage of clients with CD4 counts below 200 receiving PCP prophylaxis, percentage of substance abuse clients who are screened for TB, level of perinatal transmission, etc. Core elements are definable parts of a larger service category. The grantee is responsible for incorporating these definitions and measurements into their contracts and providing feedback to the planning council as necessary.