Washington, DC – At an event today at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, Results for America released the 2018 Invest in What Works Federal Standard of Excellence, an annual scorecard of how federal agencies are using evidence and data to get better results.
The new Federal Standard highlights how 9 federal agencies – which oversee more than $220 billion in federal investments annually – are building the infrastructure necessary to be able to use data, evidence, and evaluation in budget, policy, and management decisions.
3 federal agencies received higher overall scores compared to last year (CNCS, MCC, and USAID); 4 agencies received the same overall scores (ACF, DOL, ED, and HUD); 1 agency received a lower overall score (SAMHSA); and we added 1 new agency for the first time this year (ACL).
23 competitive and non-competitive grant programs across 9 federal agencies are now prioritizing evidence of effectiveness when allocating funds (an increase of 2 programs since 2017).
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) both invest over 1% of program funds in evaluation, 5% and 1.1% respectively.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) requires applicants for all 5 of its largest competitive grant programs to use evidence-based practices, uses a common evidence framework to make these decisions, and promotes constant use of evidence-based practices through a robust What Works Clearinghouse.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Officer has the authority and staff to evaluate agency programs, create learning agendas across the agency, and execute an evaluation policy and plan that calls for the public release of all completed evaluations.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within HHS: ACF began implementing new requirements for ensuring state and local governments use evidence-based prevention services in child welfare.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) within HHS: ACL continued to require that all Health Promotion program funds are spent on evidence-based practices and to provide technical assistance to grantees to help them carry out the requirements.
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS): CNCS leveraged competitive preference points in the AmeriCorps program to increase the percentage of dollars flowing to grantees using the strongest levels of evidence-based practices.
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): MCC executed its policy to evaluate every single grant project the agency funds.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): USAID leveraged $72 million to spur innovation across six major initiatives as part of its Global Development Lab.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): DOL required and encouraged grantees in the Re-Entry Projects program (job training for individuals returning from incarceration) to use evidence-based practices and to evaluate their programs.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD increased the number of competitive grant programs that require or encourage applicants to use evidence-based practices — in 3 of their 5 largest competitive grant programs this year.
U.S. Department of Education (ED): ED required applicants in its 5 largest competitive grant programs to use evidence-based practices, a first among federal agencies.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) within HHS: SAMHSA indicated it will improve the rigor and relevance of its clearinghouse of evidence-based practices and promote the utilization of evidence-based practices among grantees.
SAMHSA suspended its what works clearinghouse (NREPP) without launching a complete replacement.
RFA is committed to working with committed federal civil servants and Members of Congress from across the political spectrum to address these issues, and continuing the bipartisan momentum for evidence-based policymaking.
“Working together – federal civil servants, lawmakers, academics, researchers, and other evidence champions – we can create a more efficient and effective federal government that delivers better results for the American people at lower costs to taxpayers,” Medina said.