25: Evaluation in Community: Exploring community-aligned evaluation of a statewide early childhood system plan through the framework of a government and community-based organizational partnership

In this presentation we share how community-based organizations (CBOs) and government agencies can engage in meaningful, collaborative evaluation efforts to inform a state-wide early learning network. In this work we ask: What does it look like for cross sector partners to build authentic, purposeful and non-extractive evaluation efforts to continuously inform strategic, collaborative work? During this presentation we highlight how a CBO (Washington Communities for Children https://www.washingtoncfc.org/) and a state agency (the Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families) work in a shared leadership network with other government agencies and non-profit organizations to implement and evaluate the state’s Early Learning Coordination Plan (ELCP) through an Evaluation Action Team. We will share the process of working within an Impact Network to co-create strategies and tools for community accountability, evaluation, and impact measurement of the ELCP for strengthening the early childhood system, including draft evaluation plan and metrics.