The need to systematically evaluate CDC’s HIV prevention efforts in the United States has been long recognized. Over the years, various evaluation studies and “lessons-learned” documents have made contributions to the understanding of the activities set in motion by the disbursement and application of governmental resources. Many studies and documents have served to illuminate the effects of programs and policies. Until now, however, there have been no systematic, standardized approaches to documenting and assessing the effects of HIV prevention funding. Evaluation findings are not comparable among health departments and not generalizable to the national level. Consequently, the application of findings from past work has been limited. With the issuance of this document that changes. Health departments and CDC can now employ common strategies and measures to document and understand the varied and numerous programs they have funded and implemented.

This document has been two years in the making. Over that time many people have given of their time and talent to its creation. First, my thanks to Dr. David Holtgrave, Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention – Intervention, Research, and Support in the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His support for this project and his insistence on a practical, useful, comprehensive guidance were unwavering throughout the long developmental process. Without his personal intervention at critical junctures and his continuous advocacy, this document would not exist.

My co-authors on this project, Drs. David Cotton and Michelle Renaud from Macro International, are the rock upon which this project sits. Without them, it is hard to imagine there would have been a document. They put the words on paper. Over the two years of arduous detail, they tirelessly turned out untold revisions and modifications. Long they sat with me planning, developing concepts, discussing details and generalities. Their contribution to this document in consultation on all aspects and in the sustained Herculean effort to produce it cannot be overstated, and I am truly grateful.

In the course of developing the evaluation guidance and data system, several groups of stakeholders and experts were assembled to advise on all aspects of the endeavor. Programmatic experts from state and local health departments as well as from community-based organizations reviewed drafts of the document in great detail. Experts in evaluation and other scientific disciplines did the same. They provided insights, comments, suggestions, and alternatives on numerous occasions.

Additionally, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, particularly Julie Scofield, the Executive Director, and Lynne Greabell, Director of Prevention Programs, played an important role in ensuring the consultation processes would be productive and fruitful. Without assistance and guidance from all of these stakeholders, the document would not be the practical, useful document it is. Their names and the meetings they attended are listed alphabetically at the end of this section.

Lastly, I want to thank my colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fellow staff in the Program Evaluation Research Branch have provided strong support and assistance in the accomplishment of this task. Dr. Samuel Dooley, Chief of the Community Assistance, Planning, and National Partnership Branch, and his colleagues have steadfastly endured many rounds of revision and have consistently provided important consultation. In addition, the following branches in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention participated in the development of this document: the Behavioral Intervention Research Branch; the Training and Technical Support System Branch; the Technical Information and Communication Branch; the Prevention Services Research Branch; and the Surveillance Branch. Their contributions throughout a long and sometimes contentious process are deeply appreciated.

In all, the levels of assistance and support I received are beyond count. Some people reviewed and commented on various drafts, some convened consultations and ensured logistical arrangements for dozens of related meetings and activities, some covered work for me so that I might devote more energy and time to this undertaking, while others met and interacted with various stakeholders on my behalf to champion the endeavor.

It is difficult to list all the prevention partners who formally and informally assisted and commented on the documents through different channels, but I sincerely thank everyone who made a contribution. Without the assistance and guidance from all of you and without the support of my colleagues and friends, the guidance and resource documents for Evaluating CDC HIV Prevention Programs would not exist.

Huey-tsyh Chen, Ph.D.
Chief
Program Evaluation Research Branch
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Intervention, Research, and Support (DHAP-IRS)
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
December 20, 1999