In the SPF, evaluation is about enhancing prevention practice. It is the systematic collection and analysis of information about prevention activities to reduce uncertainty, improve effectiveness, and facilitate decision-making.

The evaluation step helps communities to:

• ŠŠ Systematically document and describe prevention activities.

• Meet the diverse information needs of prevention stakeholders, including funders.

• Continuously improve prevention programs and practices.

• Demonstrate the impact of a prevention program or practice on substance misuse and related

       behavioral health problems.

• Identify which elements of a comprehensive prevention plan are working well.

• Build credibility and support for effective prevention programming in the community.

       Advance the field of prevention by increasing the knowledge base about what works and what
      does not.

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Information on the Strategic Prevention Framework provided by:

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  2019.  "A Guide to SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework"