This is a virtual RIPRC training led by Drew Reynolds, PhD, MSW, MEd (www.commongooddata.com/podcast).

This training introduces prevention providers to the role of evidence-based practices in strengthening program effectiveness and improving outcomes for communities. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what constitutes an evidence-based practice, how evidence is generated and evaluated, and why using research-supported approaches is increasingly expected in prevention work.

The session will walk through practical tools for identifying and assessing evidence-based programs, including a guided exploration of national evidence registries such as Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development. Participants will learn how to interpret evidence ratings, review program requirements, and determine whether a program aligns with the needs, resources, and goals of their communities.

The training will also emphasize the role of local data and evaluation in selecting and implementing prevention strategies. Participants will explore how community data, needs assessments, and program outcomes can inform program selection and guide continuous improvement. The session will highlight practical ways to use data to assess whether a chosen program is achieving intended outcomes and how evaluation findings can support program refinement, funding justification, and long-term sustainability.

In addition to identifying appropriate programs, the training will address common implementation and evaluation challenges. Discussion will focus on balancing fidelity and adaptation, ensuring cultural and community relevance, building evaluation capacity, and navigating constraints related to staffing, funding, and data collection resources. Participants will leave with a clearer process for selecting, implementing, and evaluating prevention approaches that fit their local context.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of evidence-based practices and describe their role in prevention programming.
2. Identify and navigate major evidence registries, including Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development, to locate prevention programs supported by research.
3. Assess whether an evidence-based program aligns with the needs, goals, and characteristics of their target population and community context.
4. Describe how data and evaluation can support program selection, implementation monitoring, and outcome assessment.
5. Recognize common challenges in implementing and evaluating evidence-based practices and identify strategies to address issues related to program fit, adaptation, and evaluation capacity.

Please reach out to riprc@jsi.org to learn more about event registration.