Outcomes Measurement & Research

The Outcomes Measurement and Research (OM&R) Department was established in 1997 in an effort to accurately describe the children and families served by CHC and to measure the effectiveness of educational, behavioral and mental health services received by them. Results from process and outcomes evaluation projects are used to improve existing services and to plan for new programs. OM&R also contributes
to the ongoing exchange among professionals in clinical research and healthcare policy arenas. 

Outcomes Research Internal Evaluation Support

OM&R provides evaluation support to CHC clinical and educational departments, helping managers and staff in those departments to fulfill the agency mission of making a measurable difference in the lives of children and their families.  Evaluation efforts are grounded in an empirically based program evaluation model developed and tested by OM&R. This model can support the assessment of change at the level of individual clients, targeted service programs, multidisciplinary departments, and organizational culture. Most recently, the model has been revised to complement a growing agency focus on continuous quality improvement.

Outcomes Research Consulting Services (CORCS)

Evaluation Consultation and Support
CORCS offers expert consultation and evaluation support to non-profit organizations that provide family - or child-related services. The philosophy of CORCS is that evaluation should be: (1) based on tested research models; (2) sensitive to cultural and economic differences; (3) a component of every program and project; (4) a key to building organizational capacity; (5) a means to assure sustainable funding; and, (6) a cornerstone for learning and success.

Evaluation Capacity-Building

CORCS also offers training to help non-profit organizations build their own capacity for evaluation.  Evaluation training is tailored to the specific needs of the organization and its staff (program staff, executive managers, Board of Directors). 

Publications

OM&R staff disseminate ideas and knowledge concerning evaluation research through presentations and publications. Papers published in peer-reviewed professional journals summarize original research and experiences gleaned while working with different non-profit organizations. 
For relevant publications, please visit the OM&R Publications webpage.

Is Outcomes Research Helping You?

As community organizations, we regularly ask ourselves
questions such as:
- Are our clients satisfied?
- How effective are our services and for whom?
- In what ways do we make a unique contribution to the community?
- Where do we need to make changes?
- What will be the risks and the outcomes of starting something new?

If you are a Service Provider or Funder, CORCS can help you
answer these questions and others by:
- Assessing client satisfaction.
- Evaluating your existing programs, projects and initiatives.
- Designing new programs or initiatives.
- Defining measurable objectives.
- Developing a database for tracking client and service outcomes.
- Planning and evaluation of a presentation, workshop or training.

The CORCS Expertise
- Program planning and research skills.
- Knowledge and experience with community-based organizations, their priorities
and their challenges.
- Interdisciplinary background.
- Experience in working with diverse populations.

For more information about CORCS, please visit the OM&R website.
You may also contact Luba Botcheva at 650.617.3869 or lbotcheva@chconline.org.