Supporting Evaluation Efforts for Demonstrations in Self-Sufficiency

In 2021, OPRE awarded 20 Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development (FSSDD) grants to support the planning for and execution of evaluation-related activities. The FSSDD grantees operate many different types of programs, (including those focused on economic security, employment, family well-being, housing, home visiting, and immigrant and refugee services) for families who are eligible for or at risk of becoming eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The FSSDD grant recipients are working with Mathematica and its partner The Adjacent Possible™, or TAP, to build their capacity to conduct research and evaluation, use data to improve program outcomes, demonstrate the value of their programs to stakeholders, and ultimately, contribute to the evidence base on interventions serving families with children with low income. Through individualized one-on-one coaching, the SEEDS team is helping grant recipients develop logic models, define the core components of their programs, identify implementation strategies, create measurement and monitoring tools, test new approaches using road tests, carry out rapid cycle experiments, design rigorous evaluations, and/or disseminate findings to key audiences. Throughout the project, the SEEDS team is coordinating FSSDD cross-grantee meetings, learning communities, and other cross-site support to foster learning and collaboration among grant recipients.