Assessment Guides

Assessment Toolkit: AssessNow is a web-based learning resources and information clearinghouse for public health staff working in community health assessment in Washington State.

Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health: The framework guides public health professionals in their use of program evaluation. It is a practical, nonprescriptive tool, designed to summarize and organize essential elements of program evaluation. The framework comprises steps in program evaluation practice and standards for effective program evaluation. Understanding and applying the elements of this framework can be a driving force for planning effective public health strategies, improving existing programs, and demonstrating the results of resource investments.

Healthy People 2010 Toolkit: The Toolkit provides guidance, technical tools, and resources to help state, territories and tribes develop and promote state-specific Healthy People 2010 plans. The web version has links to Healthy People 2010 web pages, up-to-date listings of Healthy People contacts at the federal, and state levels.

Improvement Methods: How to Improve: The Model for Improvement, developed by Associates in Process Improvement, is a simple yet powerful tool for accelerating improvement. The model has two parts: Three fundamental questions, which can be addressed in any order, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to test and implement changes in real work settings. The PDSA cycle guides the test of a change to determine if the change is an improvement. The three fundamental questions are: (1) What are we trying to accomplish? (2) How will we know that the change is an improvement?, and (3) What changes can we make that will result in an improvement.

Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP): MAPP is a community-wide strategic planning tool for improving community health developed by National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in partnership with CDC. It builds on information learned from Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH), a internal organizational assessment tool for local health departments.

Maryland School Improvement Project: An excellent resource for school assessment and community planners. It includes a 10-step process developed by the Maryland School Department of Education.

North Carolina Community Assessment 2000 Guidebook: The North Carolina Community Assessment process engages communities in eight-phases which are thoroughly described in the Community Assessment Guide Book that can be accessed through this site.

Putting the Pieces Together:Comprehensive School-Linked Strategies for Children and Families: This site and guidebook provides practical information on conducting assessments as well as building and maintaining collaborations, developing resources, and planning and implemented programs. Though its focus is on school-based strategies, the information may be adapted to community environments.