Program Evaluation
Turning Data and Lived Experience Into Meaningful Program Improvement
Lavender Fields Psychology provides research-informed program evaluation services to government agencies, behavioral-health programs, courts and justice-system organizations, human-services departments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based programs.
We help organizations understand how their programs are functioning, whom they are reaching, what outcomes participants experience, and what changes may strengthen their impact. Our evaluations combine methodological rigor with a practical understanding of human behavior, trauma, culture, community systems, and the real-world environments in which programs operate.
What We Evaluate
We design evaluations to answer questions such as:
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Is the program achieving its intended outcomes?
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Which participants benefit most, and who may require additional support?
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What individual, organizational, and systemic factors influence outcomes?
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How do participants experience the program?
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What barriers affect engagement, completion, or long-term success?
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Are services being implemented as intended?
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How effectively are resources being allocated?
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Where are there gaps in services, coordination, or data collection?
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What changes may improve program quality, accessibility, and impact?
Our Program Evaluation Services
Services may include:
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Program needs assessments
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Process and implementation evaluations
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Outcome and impact evaluations
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Development of evaluation questions and logic models
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Quantitative and qualitative research design
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Administrative data review, cleaning, and analysis
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Participant and stakeholder interviews
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Surveys and focus groups
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Identification and measurement of meaningful outcomes
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Examination of participant, service, and systemic factors associated with outcomes
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Review of programs against professional standards and evidence-informed practices
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Integration of findings from multiple data sources
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Development of actionable recommendations
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Technical reports, executive summaries, and stakeholder presentations
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Consultation regarding ongoing data collection and performance monitoring
Our Approach
Our evaluations may use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods designs depending on the organization’s needs, available data, and evaluation questions. Quantitative methods help identify patterns, outcomes, disparities, and factors associated with participant success. Qualitative methods provide a deeper understanding of participant experiences, program implementation, organizational context, and the mechanisms that may help explain those patterns.
By integrating these sources of information, we provide more than a summary of numbers. We help organizations understand what the findings mean, why particular outcomes may be occurring, and how the information can be used to guide future decisions.
Participant-Centered and Systems-Informed
Programs do not operate in isolation, and participant outcomes cannot always be understood without considering the broader context. Our evaluations examine how behavioral health, trauma, culture, family and community conditions, access to resources, organizational practices, and larger systems may affect program engagement and outcomes.
We approach participant and stakeholder input with respect, cultural intentionality, and sensitivity to power, stigma, and previous experiences with institutions. This allows organizations to incorporate lived experience into program improvement while maintaining the structure, objectivity, and methodological discipline required for credible evaluation.
From Findings to Action
An evaluation is most valuable when its findings can be used. We translate complex data into clear conclusions and practical recommendations for program leadership, staff members, funders, policymakers, and community partners.
Depending on the project, recommendations may address:
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Program design and implementation
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Participant engagement and retention
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Service accessibility
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Treatment and resource allocation
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Staff training and support
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Interagency collaboration
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Data-collection practices
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Performance indicators
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Policy and procedural changes
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Opportunities for future research or evaluation
Our goal is to provide organizations with credible evidence, meaningful interpretation, and a realistic path toward strengthening their programs and improving outcomes.