Developing and Piloting a Federal Evaluation Approach for Complex Cross-Agency Initiatives: The Overdose Prevention Test Case

The final summary report on “Developing and Piloting a Federal Evaluation Approach for Complex Cross-Agency Initiatives: The Overdose Prevention Test Case” lays out the findings of HHS effort to test a cross-departmental methodology. As a large, decentralized agency with 13 Operating Divisions and 10 Staff Divisions (Op/Staff Divs) that conduct a wide-range of activities and deliver a wide set of programs and services. While high quality evidence is generated for many individual programs, there is a need to better understand how these programs and activities, when taken together, enhance the health and well-being of people and communities. To address this need ASPE engaged staff from across the Department to develop and test an approach for evaluating initiatives that involve multiple divisions, address the needs of a diversity of communities, and include varied approaches.