42 U.S.C. § 2992: Evaluation of projects

Summary

The Commissioner must make sure projects paid for under this law are evaluated. Evaluations can be done directly or by contract and must measure a project’s effects, how well it meets its goals, how it affects related programs, and how services are organized and delivered. When appropriate, evaluations should compare participants with similar people who did not take part. People who run the program cannot do the evaluations. Projects must be checked at least once every 3 years. Before spending money for fiscal year 1976, the Commissioner must create and publish general evaluation rules. How well projects meet those rules will affect future funding. The Commissioner can require agencies to get independent reviews and should, when possible, ask participants for their views. Results and summaries must be published no later than 90 days after completion and sent to the proper congressional committees. All studies, proposals, and data made with this funding become United States property.

Title 42, §2992

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Description and measurement of project impact, effectiveness, and structure and mechanisms for delivery of services; frequency of evaluations

(1)The Commissioner shall provide, directly or through grants or contracts, for the evaluation of projects assisted under this subchapter including evaluations that describe and measure the impact of such projects, their effectiveness in achieving stated goals, their impact on related programs, and their structure and mechanisms for delivery of services, including, where appropriate, comparisons with appropriate control groups composed of persons who have not participated in such projects. Evaluations shall be conducted by persons not directly involved in the administration of the program or project evaluated.

(2)The projects assisted under this subchapter shall be evaluated in accordance with this section not less frequently than at 3-year intervals.

(b)General standards for evaluation

Prior to obligating funds for the programs and projects covered by this subchapter with respect to fiscal year 1976, the Commissioner shall develop and publish general standards for evaluation of program and project effectiveness in achieving the objectives of this subchapter. The extent to which such standards have been met shall be considered in deciding whether to renew or supplement financial assistance authorized under this subchapter.

(c)Independent evaluations

In carrying out evaluations under this subchapter, the Commissioner may require agencies which receive assistance under this subchapter to provide for independent evaluations.

(d)Specificity of views

In carrying out evaluations under this subchapter, the Commissioner shall, whenever feasible, arrange to obtain the specific views of persons participating in and served by programs and projects assisted under this subchapter about such programs and projects.

(e)Publication of results; submission to Congress

The Commissioner shall publish the results of evaluative research and summaries of evaluations of program and project impact and effectiveness not later than ninety days after the completion thereof. The Commissioner shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress copies of all such research studies and evaluation summaries.

(f)Evaluation results as United States property

The Commissioner shall take the necessary action to assure that all studies, evaluations, proposals, and data produced or developed with assistance under this subchapter shall become the property of the United States.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2992, Pub. L. 88–452, title VIII, § 810, as added Pub. L. 90–222, title I, § 110, Dec. 23, 1967, 81 Stat. 722, related to authority to establish full-time programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–113, title VI, § 603, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 417. A prior section 811 of Pub. L. 88–452 was renumbered section 812 and is classified to section 2992a of this title. Another prior section 811 of Pub. L. 88–452, title VIII, as added Pub. L. 90–222, title I, § 110, Dec. 23, 1967, 81 Stat. 723; amended Pub. L. 92–424, § 26(b), Sept. 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 703, related to terms of service and was classified to section 2992a of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–113, title VI, § 603, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 417.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–375 substituted “Commissioner” for “Secretary”, designated existing provisions as par. (1), and added par. (2). Subsecs. (b) to (f). Pub. L. 102–375, § 822(11)(A), substituted “Commissioner” for “Secretary” wherever appearing.

§2992 Evaluation of Projects