TABLE 2.

Selected Methods Used to Evaluate the Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA) Initiative: California, 2002–2010

Evaluation Activities (No. or Timeframe)	Evaluation Method Type (Type of Data Collected)	Examples of Data Collected
Annual site visits to coalitions and technical assistance partners (11–12/y)	Process evaluation (qualitative and quantitative)	What are the important partnerships that your coalition has formed or attempted?  Why did the coalition decide to pursue these partnerships?  What are the results of these partnerships? What type of assistance have you received from your local technical assistance partner?  Facilitating networking and collaboration;  Developing advocacy and policy strategies; and  Responding to needs for data and analysis. How helpful was the assistance you received? What challenges has the coalition faced?  How has the coalition dealt with these challenges? What media or communication strategies have you employed?  On which audiences have you focused?  What outcomes have you seen from these efforts?
Review of semiannual grantee reports to the evaluation team (ongoing, every 6 mo)	Process and outcome evaluation (qualitative and quantitative)	List of collaborative activities and partners. Individual, community, organizational, policy level outcomes. Use of media and technology in CAFA activities. Policy indicators and outcomes.
Interviews with policymakers and stakeholders (20–35 every 2 to 3 y)	Process and outcome evaluation (qualitative and quantitative)	How familiar are you with the following environmental issues related to asthma?  Indoor air quality in homes;  Indoor air quality in schools; and  Outdoor air quality. In the last 3 years, has your awareness of this issue changed? In what capacity have you worked on these issues with CAFA coalitions?
Collaboration survey among coalitions (20–50/y)	Process and outcome evaluation of collaboration (qualitative and quantitative)	Is there is any sector, agency, organization, or group of individuals that need to be recruited to make this partnership most diverse and representative of the community? Please indicate how much has this partnership accomplished in the following fields:  Involving people of color and other minorities in regular activities?  Creating a board reflective of the community?
Attending policy calls, annual and midyear meetings, and trainings among coalitions (ongoing)	Process and outcome evaluation (qualitative)	Discussion of current coalition activities, including strategies, challenges, and successes. Discussion of current proposed policies related to environmental triggers of asthma; coalition voting on CAFA support or opposition to proposed policies; strategies to garner support or rally opposition among partners and potential partners.
Tracking of local, regional, and state policies (ongoing)	Outcome evaluation (quantitative and qualitative)	Outcomes of legislation, regulations, or policies supported or opposed by CAFA network members (in process; enacted; implemented; vetoed; failed).