The goal of the Tracking and Evaluation Core (TEC) of the Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research (Alliance) is to implement robust and exemplary practices, methods, and standards in evaluation to strengthen Alliance capacity and performance. The objectives of TEC are to: 1) assess the Alliance operational structure; 2) evaluate the impact of clinical and translational research of Alliance supported research; 3) evaluate community participation and integration into Alliance activities; and 4) assess the budget, use, quality, experiences, and impact of the Alliance resources and activities. TEC will build high evaluation capacity in Alliance partnering institutions by integrating the Participatory and Utilization Evaluation Approach, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) frameworks, and Organizational Development Initiatives through actively involving stakeholders in the proposed monitoring and evaluation activities.
The Specific Aims of TEC are to: 1) conduct a comprehensive internal evaluation plan for assessing progress on Alliance short-term and long-term goals; 2) integrate mixed research methods and innovative approaches to track and monitor Alliance management, activities, resources and outcomes; and 3) use outcomes and achievements of the program goals to inform interventions to strengthen capacity and performance of the Alliance. To achieve these aims, TEC will use the theoretical framework of logic models, evaluation and management and implementation plans (MIPs), and Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) to assess Alliance progress and outcomes; apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, CQI methods, a centralized tracking and evaluation data repository, and innovative approaches such as Return on Investment, and Social Network Analysis. TEC will also conduct formative and summative evaluations and provide organizational development advice, coaching and initiatives. The innovation of TEC approaches will mobilize core teams through an evaluation culture to successfully accomplish the mission of the Alliance and make an original contribution of the best evaluation practices that can be applied to other multisite infrastructure programs.
