Money Matters: A Three-Step Process for Using Budget Data in Program Evaluation to Assess the Design and Management...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) aims to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.
• Understanding awardee program structures and resource allocation is crucial for program effectiveness.
• Assessing fidelity to the CRCCP public health model informs best practices.

Approach:

• A three-step process was used to abstract and analyze program budgets from 23 state, 1 tribal, and 6 university CRCCP awardees.
• Resource allocation, staffing, and contractor activities were examined to understand program design.
• Budget data were analyzed to assess fidelity to the CRCCP public health model.

Key Points:

• Awardees allocated 83% of funds to contracts and personnel, with program managers being the most budgeted staff type.
• Contracts primarily funded evidence-based interventions (25%) and evaluation (24%), with healthcare systems and clinics being common partners (39%).
• Program designs varied in staffing and number of contracts, with state awardees budgeting more for contracts and universities for personnel.

Conclusions:

• CRCCP awardee programs demonstrate fidelity to the public health model, despite variations in implementation strategies.
• Effective program implementation relies on a combination of internal resources and external partnerships.
• Program budgets offer valuable data for evaluating design, partnerships, and planned activities.