EVOLUTION TO EFFECTIVE PREVENTION DIAGNOSTIC SCALE

The Evolution to Effective Prevention Diagnostic Scale can help organizations, communities, and collaboratives assess the development of their prevention efforts. This tool is designed to analyze current efforts and assist groups in making efforts more comprehensive and effective. On a scale of 1 to 5, program elements are assessed according to how far along they are in this evolution. For example, a program designed as a short-term fix for a problem scores lower than one with a more long-term focus and sustainable outcomes. Groups using the scale can also prioritize the program elements on which they want to focus. A group may choose to prioritize the development of some areas that receive low effectiveness ratings, and prioritize continued development of areas that receive higher ratings.

The tool is intended to be an ongoing resource. Initially, it can be used to identify areas that are comprehensive and those that need further development; later, it can be used to ensure continued effectiveness and map progress in problem areas. Also, once the prioritized areas are addressed, groups can go back and examine some of the lower priorities for future development.

As an example, here is a portion of the scale with scores and priority rankings completed:

This hypothetical group has a program in place that is fairly good about focusing on the long term, but it tends to focus more on changing individual behavior rather than focusing on larger social factors. For now, this group is not as interested in developing its capacity to identify resiliency factors as it is in developing multifaceted activities that move beyond brochures and education.

A more extensive sample form can be downloaded and printed, though in practice, the specific categories of the tool would be customized for each group.

Download Evolution worksheet

We are continually trying to improve our tools and we welcome your feedback regarding their use and effectiveness.

© Prevention Institute 2002

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