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Evaluation Policies

The Foundation for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (“Evidence Act”) was signed into law (Public Law 115-435) on January 14, 2019. It requires agencies to identify and set priorities for evidence-building in consultation with their stakeholders. The Evidence Act also augments ongoing agency strategic planning activities to promote better use of management of data and evidence, consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11, Part VI of Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget.

Under the Evidence Act, federal agencies are expected to expand their capacity for engaging in program evaluation by designating evaluation officers, developing learning agendas; producing annual evaluation plans, and enabling a workforce to conduct internal evaluations. To this end, SAMHSA seeks to promote rigor, relevance, transparency, independence, and ethics in the conduct of its evaluations.

Click here to view Evaluation Policies and Procedures.