Recommendations for Similar Projects

I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in the HECJ Lab's 2nd Year of its Project HOPE evaluation that allowed me to develop professional skills and experience as a formative evaluator. I learned that being adaptable and open to change as it happens ensures you're prepared for anything that may come up as a result of policy or program implementation in this field. Being able to think quickly and meet people where they are at was one of my greatest takeaways as I was able to get approval for impromptu site visits and adjust to ensure I've done everything possible to complete my tasks to the best of my abilities given the context of the situation.  Furthermore, I refined my organization/planning skills as well skills related to survey development and communication.   Additionally, once the planning came for the presentation, grouping the data and tailoring it to present to the audience so it's easier to digest became an area of strength for me, having expanded my background understanding of our target population and  all stakeholders involved. 

If I was able to alter this project, I would ensure that there's a level of not only data collection and record keeping, but accountability on the administrative end of Project HOPE to uphold recommendations from their lab evaluation reports. I think an open forum section on the agenda outside of quarterly reports to provide a space for discourse between residents, the grant writers, community partners, and police department can tailor more collaboration. Possibly having it monthly or moving meetings to Vallejo town hall where the residents of Vallejo can actively engage with a coalition of representatives from community partners, the grant writers, and VPD could prove beneficial in the long-term development of relations between these entities and the tailored effectiveness of their collaboration to reduce violence and crime at the community level.