Evaluation-specific Resources | Broader Resources for Healthy Communities | Pleasures Near & Far
Links of Interest
Lots more links to come. Present links focus on evaluation, as well as some pleasurable diversions that keep me sane, energized, and connected -- and remind me of why I work hard..
Evaluation-specific Resources
- AEA365 | A Tip-a-Day by and for Evaluators
Blogs from American Evaluation Association members, sharing practical advice and opinion. Includes topic interest group index so you can easily find what is relevant for you. - Alberta Research Ethics Community Consensus Initiative (ARECCI)
Resources for project ethics considerations in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives, including on-line decision support tools - American Evaluation Association
Professional development resources/events, connections, and opportunities for evaluators - Canadian Evaluation Society
Professional development resources/events, connections, and opportunities for evaluators - CAPTURE project
A web-based repository for finding and sharing practice-based evidence. Includes on-line planning and evaluation tools. - Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Program evaluation for comprehensive tobacco control programs
A particular strength of this resource is its examples of clear, specific indicators of success. It is also a good overall guide to planning an evaluation well from the beginning, including ways to engage people who have a stake in the evaluation. Though the examples are specific to tobacco, the information is relevant to doing sound evaluation in any area of health and other human services. - National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools
Resources for research, evaluation and knowledge exchange. Based at McMaster University; one of six National Collaborating Centres for Public Health. - University of Wisconsin - Extension - Program Development & Evaluation Section
High quality resource with self-guided units and related downloads. I used their material for many years in a graduate-level planning & evaluation course. - W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Kellogg Foundation has produced a number of evaluation resources. This link features 'Designing Initiative Evaluation: A Systems-orientated Framework for Evaluating Social Change Efforts', a practical guide to evaluating complex systems change. I had the opportunity to take a workshop with primary author Beverly Parsons at a recent conference. I highly recommend her work.
Broader Resources for Healthy Communities
- Alberta Centre for Active Living
The Centre supports organizations involved in active living and chronic disease prevention. Its publications include the long-running Research Update and WellSpring newsletter, and more recent releases on special topics. Internal and external resource materials are well-organized by category and are part of a searchable database. Site includes an introduction to population health determinants, including links. - Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
ARPA is home to ACE Communities and several other community initiatives. Its unique Benefits HUB is an on-line 'living' searchable database of evidence summarizing the influence of recreation and partks services in eight key areas of community impact. ACE Communities has a strong on-line presence, featuring numerous community development resources/supports and the wisdom of a group of creative bloggers. - Centres of Excellence in Women’s Health
This is the central site that links to Centres of Excellence and other broad initiatives for women's health across Canada. The focus of all these organization is to research and advocate for policies, programs and service that are gender-inclusive and respectful of other types of diversity. Resources available from the specific organizations include gender-based analysis strategies, tools and examples. - Growing Food Security in Alberta
GFSA explains that food security includes the circle of: Planting, Growing, Harvesting, Transporting, Shopping, Preparing, Eating, and Preserving our environment -- with Equity and Choice at every point along the circle. Website includes a diverse array of links to many superb resources on sustainable agriculture, local food, school nutrition, food policy and economics of food. - Health Nexus
Health Nexus, formerly the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse, is one of the first organizations to have an on-line presence. I have visited their site many times since the mid 1990s for health promotion resources. One of my favourite recent resources is Connecting the Dots (CTD), a practical hands-on guide for authentic community engagement. Health Nexus explains CTD as "a dynamic, multi-sectoral, community engagement model that helps communities “work together differently” for better chronic disease outcomes and improved health for all." - Ontario Physical and Health Education Association
In addition to providing curriculum supports for physical and health education, Ophea focuses broadly on school and community health, in partnership with other provincial partners. Resources include Ophea's own materials, links to relevant government policies and resources, and searchable on-line databases for both resource materials and healthy school community contacts. - Parks and Recreation Ontario
In addition to being involved in extensive advocacy work and a number of strategic initiatives, PRO offers a Learning Centre that combines e-learning opportunities with downloadable resources. PRO has also begun to develop on-line communities of practice. - People for Education
P4E provides a strong voice for public education through conducting and sharing research, and working with policy makers, parents and communities. Their site includes a searchable repository of research reports and brief fact sheets. Though mainly focused on the Ontario system, many of their resources address issues common to multiple provinces. - thecanadianfacts.org
Authors Juha Mikkonen and Dennis Raphael argue that: "The primary factors that shape the health of Canadians are not medical treatments or lifestyle choices but rather the living conditions they experience." Their free downloadable book Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts presents evidence for why Canadians and our governments need to pay more attention to social determinants of health. - University of Alberta - School of Public Health (Health Promotion Research)
Strong interdisciplinary intervention research - including areas of addictions, built environments, obesity. Focus on health behaviours, environments, policies.
Pleasures Near & Far
- Alberta Craft Council
A great place to buy unique gifts, and to view exhibitions by Alberta's fine craft artists. - Food Lovers Odyssey
Superb collection of stories, info & photos about French & Italian cuisine, markets, recipes... - Letisha McFall Studio
Custom quilts, cushions and more. I have one of Letisha's quilts, and family members have two more. New product line, Doilies Darling!, is inspired by respect for and valuing of Alberta women's traditional handiwork. - Seasoned Solutions
Cooking school, culinary tours, public speaking/writing - and delicious recipes. I have had the pleasure of doing three culinary tours so far - to Southwest France, Sicily, and Quebec Eastern Townships. Amazing journeys all!! - Worldwide Quest International
Customized experiential travel includes cultural explorations, literary adventures, active journeys - and food and wine tours in partnership with Edmonton's own Seasoned Solutions.