Evaluation and Impact Unit
DAPA formed the Evaluation and Impact Unit to understand how agencies are making a difference in the lives of their clients and communities. Federal policy is moving towards use of evidence in policy making and program administration rooted in the Evidence-Based Policy-making Act of 2019. The initial work of the Evaluation and Impact Unit is focused on implementation of projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that the state of Connecticut received in 2021. In Connecticut, the Evaluation and Impact work covers three important areas: increased focus on evaluating programs to learn what works, improving transparency around ARPA funding and project implementation and expanding the state’s capacity to use data and evaluation in its work.