Evaluation Only — Requirements & Inquiry
This engagement is conditional. Before APA accepts an Evaluation Only engagement, your organization must pass a structured review of its existing data collection practices. Read the requirements below, then submit an inquiry if your organization is ready.
The Standard We Hold Regardless of Who’s Asking
For grant-funded programs, California sets the floor. For every engagement, APA sets the standard.
The State of California recommends that grantees budget a minimum of five percent of the total grant award for data collection and evaluation efforts. This recommendation covers the resources required to complete Quarterly Progress Reports, develop and implement a Local Evaluation Plan, and produce the final Local Evaluation Report.
Most organizations underestimate what this requires. APA exists to close that gap — with systems that collect clean data from day one, and analysis that holds up to funder scrutiny at closeout.
“Grantees are highly recommended to budget a minimum of five percent of the total grant award for data collection and evaluation efforts.”
— California Board of State and Community Corrections, ARG Cohort 4 RFP, Page 24
The Preliminary Review
Before confirming any engagement, APA conducts a structured review of your organization’s existing data collection practices. This is not a formality. We are assessing whether your program is collecting the right data, in the right format, with enough consistency to support a credible evaluation.
What we look at:
- How participant data is currently collected and stored
- Whether intake, service, and outcome data are tracked separately or conflated
- Whether data collection is consistent across staff and sites
- Whether your current system can support the QPR reporting requirements
- Whether your goals and objectives are measurable as written
Organizations that pass this review move forward. Organizations that do not are given a clear explanation and, where appropriate, the option to re-engage after addressing the identified gaps.
Submit an Evaluation Inquiry
Complete the form below. APA will conduct a preliminary review of your submission within five business days. If your organization meets our engagement criteria, you will be contacted to schedule a data infrastructure review call.