2.3: Existing Programs & Datasets

Conduct evaluations by drawing on existing data to measure outcomes and on program changes that are being implemented anyway.

Other Information:

High-quality, low-cost evaluations that piggy-back on existing programs and datasets -- By drawing on existing data to measure outcomes and on program changes that are being implemented anyway, agencies can conduct high-quality randomized evaluations at low cost. For example, when a program change is being phased in gradually or a program is oversubscribed, participants could in some cases be selected based on random assignment, allowing for rigorous evaluation.

Stakeholder(s):

• Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) Program: Example: Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) Program is a supervision program for drug-involved probationers. The program was evaluated using a randomized control trial at a cost of about $150,000 for the evaluation. The low cost for this rigorous evaluation was achieved by measuring outcomes using administrative data (e.g., arrest records) that the state already collected for other purposes, rather than doing costly new data collection. The study found that HOPE group members were 55 percent less likely than control group members to be re-arrested during the first year.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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