Creating an advisory board is an excellent way to round out skills that may not be available to the staff, especially in the early stages of a program. These evaluations should be from the users perspectives more than the staff s. The programs we looked at used a variety of evaluation approaches. But all are thoughtful about what is working and how to improve results. Successful programs are comprehensive, flexible, responsive, and persevering.
Successful programs see children in the context of their families.
Successful programs deal with families as parts of neighborhoods and communities. Successful programs have a long-term, preventive orientation, a clear mission, and continue to evolve over time. Successful programs are well managed by competent and committed individuals with clearly-identifiable skills. Staff of successful programs are trained and supported to provide high-quality, responsive services.