Tracking and Evaluation Core

The overarching aim of the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research (NNE-CTR) Network is to sustain a research infrastructure that supports and ultimately improves community health outcomes for residents in this largely rural region. To achieve this ambitious aim, NNE-CTR leadership and staff will continuously assess progress and identify opportunities for mid-course corrections, as needed. The Tracking and Evaluation Core (TEC) will provide the requisite infrastructure and expertise to ensure that the NNE-CTR is both efficient and effective in achieving its stated goals. Led by a multidisciplinary team with strong evaluation expertise, the TEC will: 1) oversee data collection, monitor implementation efforts and inform decision-making; 2) assess accomplishments, identify challenges, and focus on outcomes and overall impact; and 3) share lessons, best practices, and promote learning. Working collaboratively across the partner institutions, TEC staff will continue to use a flexible and participatory approach to ensure the engagement of all Cores in the formative and summative evaluation. The TEC activities will be grounded in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluation framework, which applies a population health model ideal for evaluating the health and systems-level outcomes of clinical and translational research. Key features of the evaluation include the use of logic models, quality improvement techniques applied in tandem with traditional evaluation methods, annual core-specific performance milestones with accompanying targets, and validated tools to assess the overall initiative based on outcomes captured at the investigator, community, and regional levels. Through these activities, the TEC will facilitate transparency and promote data-informed decisions regarding the management of the initiative’s many components, thereby ensuring the ultimate success of the overall program.