Introduction
The Supporting Evaluation Efforts for Demonstrations in Self-Sufficiency (SEEDS) project provided evaluation support and capacity building to 20 Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development (FSSDD) grant recipients. The FSSDD grant recipients operate many different types of programs for families who are eligible for or at risk of becoming eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. In collaboration with Mathematica and The Adjacent Possible™, the project developed resources to support grant recipients in conducting research, improving program outcomes, and building evidence capacity. These resources were designed to be widely accessible, providing the guidance and scaffolding needed to build and use evidence in day-to-day work.
Purpose
This document serves as a guide for human services leaders who want to use evidence to inform and improve their programs. To have the best chance at achieving positive participant outcomes, program leaders can use data and evidence at every stage of program design and delivery. The guide provides step-by-step instructions about how to start using data and evidence to shore up service delivery of existing programs; design new programs or program components; and plan for sustainability of service delivery.
Key Findings and Highlights
Research in implementation science and other fields suggests that to achieve your desired impact among program participants, it is critical to:
Have a well-defined, evidence-informed THING, such as a program, intervention, policy, or approach to service delivery,
Do that well-defined, evidence-informed THING well, and
Continuously reflect on and adapt both the THING and how you are doing it (Fixsen et al. 2005; Moore and Khan 2020).
If you are already implementing a THING, you can use this framework to refine and refresh it, making sure that it is well implemented and up-to-date with the latest evidence. If you are interested in implementing a new THING, such as a new program or component of a program, you can use the framework to assess the evidence base for it, make sure it’s a good fit for your context, and plan for its successful implementation.
The guide presents three modules each with clear instructions, tips, and links to resources. The guide offers additional tools and resources, such as
Guidance on how to search for research evidence
Templates for creating a logic model and documenting core components for your program
Resources for facilitating human-centered design activities to complete each module
Templates for planning for the implementation of your program
Tools to identify and address common implementation challenges
Citation
Mastri, Annalisa, Michelle Derr, and Julia Lyskawa. (2025). “Ingredients for Impact: A practice guide.” OPRE Report #2025-001, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.