Tools & Resources
Communicating with Policymakers
This tool (from Academy Health) provides tips for preparing for the challenge of communication with policymakers.
Collective Impact Case Studies
This tool (from Foundation Strategy Group) is a series of case study reports and videos that feature collective impact initiatives across a range of issues areas. It can be found in Work Together under...
Appreciative Inquiry Commons
This site (from Case Western Reserve University) has extensive resources on the principles and tools of Appreciative Inquiry.
Appreciative Inquiry
This tool (from Center for Creative Leadership) outlines key principles, typical questions and options for using this strength-based process.
Find it in Evaluate Actions under...
After Action Review
This tool (from Center for Creative Leadership) helps teams celebrate their successes and learn from their mistakes.
User’s Guide to Advocacy Evaluation Planning
This tool (from Harvard Family Research Project) provides a step-by-step process for evaluating advocacy/policy initiatives.
Handbook of Data Collection Tools: A Companion to Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy
This tool (from Organizational Research Services) includes a number of tools for measuring advocacy and policy initiatives.
Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy
This tool (from Organizational Research Services) provides a framework for thinking differently about advocacy and policy work and directions for evaluation design.
Find it in Evaluate Actions under...
Developmental Evaluation Primer
This tool (from J.W. McConnell Family Foundation) provides guidance for conducting evaluation of innovative practices and strategies in changing, unpredictable environments. It can be found in Evaluate Actions under...
Hernando, MS
The 2011 County Health Rankings classified Desoto County as the healthiest county in Mississippi for health outcomes and the fifth-healthiest county for health factors, with lower unemployment rates, higher education rates and greater access to healthy food compared to the rest of the state. Yet much more work needs to be done to improve the health of Desoto County, as one-third of its adults are obese and Mississippi, overall, has the highest obesity rates in the nation.