Outcomes Evaluation Training and Support    Many funders are now demanding that their grantees demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. Funders want the organizations they invest in to ask themselves whether the services they are providing are effective, establish the means to measure their effectiveness, and to use the information gathered in evaluating their programs to adjust and improve their programs. However, what most do not realize is that in order to measure effectiveness through outcome evaluation, an organization must have a strong infrastructure that supports their efforts. Through a comprehensive assessment, training and one-to-one technical assistance, FITA assists service organizations (and their funders) by providing them with the tools to measure the success of their work with clients. As the cornerstone of this program, FITA examines ten components (Behavioral Sciences, Process and Outcome Objectives, Logic Model, Curricula, Process Documentation, Evaluation Instruments, Protocols, Quality Assurance, Data Entry and Management, and Data Analysis and Reporting) that represent basic elements of program development, implementation and evaluation capacity needed to create a sound and valuable program. FITA uses these ten components as the basis for an assessment of client organizations in order to determine their readiness to implement outcome monitoring and evaluation and to develop the protocols and systems to undertake programmatic evaluation. Where the need for capacity building is identified, a scope of work is negotiated with the organization and a work plan that represents the agreed upon scope of service with measurable goals and objectives is developed. As an example, through a grant from the New York City AIDS Fund, a subsidiary of the New York Community Trust, FITA provides twelve community based organizations with customized support in refining their HIV prevention programs and monitoring their clients' outcomes. Many of these organizations have developed their own unique models of HIV prevention interventions and need assistance in documenting their outcomes and achievements. At the same time, FITA assists the NYCAF in documenting its return on its money invested in the grantees. FITA assists funders by helping them ensure they are getting a return on the dollars they have invested in their funded organizations by providing them with the education and guidance on grantees' infrastructure needs for outcome monitoring. As funders receive information on the outcomes of the funded programs, FITA provides them with technical assistance on how to use this information in providing oversight and guidance to their grantees and how to use this information for future funding decisions. FITA assists funders in determining what outcomes are most important for grantmakers' and grantees purposes as well as scale of programs and available time. FITA also assists funders in setting realistic targets for funded organizations (infrastructure development and outcomes). To learn more about how we can assist you to build capacity to evaluate programs call us at 646 619-6511 or email us at: info@fita-mhra.org