Through the use of social science research methods, we provide accurate, objective, and reliable information to organizational leadership and funders. Our goal is also to provide high quality technical assistance that engages and empowers the front-line staff who work with underserved children, youth, and communities. Real quality improvement happens through a trusted partnership with your evaluator built on a foundation of good communication, transparency, and engagement, and a commitment to equity.

When most people think of evaluation, they think of something that happens at the end of a project. We work differently. Our work begins with a kickoff meeting, during which we review your project's design and implementation to date and discuss the evaluation and research process. We continue to meet with you regularly throughout the life of your project.

Sharing information frequently and completely builds trust. We offer opportunities for the project staff to recommend evaluation methodology improvements or explain outliers based on their first-hand knowledge of the data. Sharing evaluation updates often mitigates fear of secrets or impending bad news. With us, there won't be any surprises at the end of the project.

We share your passion and commitment to build effective programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved children, youth, and communities across the United States. Our evaluation team is culturally competent and experienced working in diverse settings from inner cities to the remotest regions of our country. 

We practice "participatory evaluation," involving project stakeholders in identifying project goals, developing a theory of change or logic model, collecting information about the project, and making sense of it together.  Engaging stakeholders in the evaluation process helps ensure that findings will be used to improve programs and services for the public good.