Programs & Tools:
Immunization Program Evaluation (IPE)
IPE Questions:
- What is the next required submission?
- Now that we have received feedback from the Immunization Services Division (ISD), do we need to update our evaluation plan?
- How long do we have to conduct (i.e. implement) the evaluation activities described in the evaluation plan?
- How can I find out what other grantees are evaluating?
- Will there be additional feedback from ISD as plans are implemented?
- If and when I update my 2008 Evaluation Plan via PAPA, can I copy and paste from a word document?
- Are we required to submit a logic model?
- Do we need to choose a new component to evaluate when we finish with the current one?
- Do we have to submit a new evaluation plan with each grant application?
- What should I do if I have a question, comment or suggestion?
General IPE Questions
- What is the next required submission?
Grantees will be required to submit a progress report in August 2009 (No reports will be required in March/April 2009). The format of the progress report is being developed and will be shared with grantees in advance. Progress reports will be submitted through PAPA.
- Now that we have received feedback from the Immunization Services Division (ISD), do we need to update our evaluation plan?
Grantees should update their plans per the feedback and subsequent discussions with ISD staff (if applicable). Grantees are NOT required to update plans in PAPA but we encourage grantees to update when possible so that the most current version of the plan is accessible to ISD staff.
- How long do we have to conduct (i.e. implement) the evaluation activities described in the evaluation plan?
Grantees were required to submit an evaluation plan in August, 2008 and given that the scope and magnitude of evaluation activities would vary by grantee and component, there was no set time limit for completion of evaluation activities. However, most grantees have indicated that they will complete their evaluations within 1-2 years (i.e. by December 2009 or 2010). ISD staff recognize that grantees might need to make changes to their evaluations including the timeline and end date. ISD staff plan on working closely with grantees to ensure that evaluations are conducted and completed within a reasonable amount of time. Grantees are strongly encouraged to contact ISD via IPE@cdc.gov to discuss potential changes to their evaluations.
- How can I find out what other grantees are evaluating?
This information is available at the Immunization Program Evaluation (IPE) website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/progeval/ under CDC -- Immunization Program Evaluation Resources: 2008 Grantee Topics and Contact Information. In addition to the IPE website, grantees are able to view selected evaluation plans via the Program Annual Progress Assessments (PAPA) application. Upcoming webinars will also highlight several grantees’ evaluation experiences to date. These will be archived on the IPE website.
- Will there be additional feedback from ISD as plans are implemented?
ISD staff will follow up with grantees regarding their evaluation plans on an as needed basis and grantees are strongly encouraged to contact ISD staff at any time with questions and concerns about their evaluation plans.
- If and when I update my 2008 Evaluation Plan via PAPA, can I copy and paste from a word document?
Yes. The process for making updates in PAPA is the same as what was used for the original submission.
- Are we required to submit a logic model?
Logic models (LM) were encouraged but not required for the 2008 evaluation plan. A few grantees found LMs to be very useful and either submitted them in August 2008 or thereafter as part of updating their plan. Grantees are encouraged to think about how a LM can help define the associations among program resources, activities, and results. ISD’s preconference workshop at the 2009 National Immunization Conference will include information about LMs. Additional resources are available on the IPE website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/progeval/.
- Do we need to choose a new component to evaluate when we finish with the current one?
We expect that grantees will be engaged in program evaluation in an ongoing manner, i.e. once one evaluation is completed, another evaluation plan will be developed, submitted to CDC for review and then implemented. The latter could be based on a different component or could be another aspect of the first component.
- Do we have to submit a new evaluation plan with each grant application?
No. The timeline of developing and submitting a new plan will depend on the implementation of the first plan. However, because we expect that grantees will be engaged in program evaluation on an ongoing basis, once one evaluation is completed, another evaluation plan should be developed and submitted for review before implementation. Please contact us at IPE@cdc.gov with any related questions or concerns.
- What should I do if I have a question, comment or suggestion?
Please contact your project officer or email the Immunization Program Evaluation workgroup directly at IPE@cdc.gov. We strongly encourage all grantees to contact us with any questions or concerns throughout their evaluation planning and implementation!
Content last reviewed on December 17, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases