The poor quality and quantity of data collected in tribal communities today reflects a lack of true community participation and commitment. This is especially problematic for evaluation studies, in which the needs and desires of the community should be the central focus. This challenge can be met by emphasizing indigenous methods and voice. The…

Suggests ways in which states that are administering a Title IV-E independent-living program may generate program and evaluation data to meet requirements of a federal program report. Presents two examples of current evaluations of independent-living programs. (RJC)

Discusses the social work intake study as a guide to purposeful intervention, with emphasis on a systems perspective, recognition of the network of social roles, social interaction and cultural factors. Suggests a conceptual scheme for the organization of an intake study, with data related to client's motivation, capacity and opportunity. (BF)

Discusses a method of evaluating results of child protective services which uses a comprehensive checklist of indicators of abuse and neglect. Also explains how the evaluation instrument was developed and explores its uses at the service delivery level, including its use as a diagnostic aid in quantifying family problems normally assessed…

Needs assessments require staff with the necessary expertise to design the study, collect the data, analyze the data, and present results. They require money, time, and persistence, because the people one wishes to assess often are difficult to access. This article argues for the centrality of a well-done needs assessment when developing services…

Used administrative data, census data, and geographic information system technology to map and analyze the rates, distribution, and ecological correlates of child physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse at the neighborhood level. Compared the distribution by neighborhood of three types of child abuse, and identified and compared neighborhood…