This one-page resource defines a theory of change as the rationale for why prevention activities, services, events, or products should lead to desired outcomes, and notes that theories of change often inform program design and logic models. It briefly describes several common public health theories used for behavior change—such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model, Ecological Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and the Health Belief Model. It also emphasizes that selecting an appropriate theory can require domain expertise and recommends consulting a research partner when needed.
Source: ITB
Adapting Evidence-Based Programs (EBPs) Part II: Adapting EBPs – Common Reasons
This document expands on the Traffic Light Model for adapting evidence-based programs (EBPs), explaining why, when, and how to make adaptations while preserving effectiveness. It identifies common reasons that lead to red-light (avoid), yellow-light (cautious), and green-light (generally acceptable) adaptations and offers proactive strategies – such as using team planning, connecting with developers and technical assistance providers, and aligning program selection with community needs – to prevent harmful changes. The guide also provides practical examples of adaptations in each category and emphasizes evaluating any approved changes in collaboration with implementation support to maintain program integrity.
Logic Model Template.
This document is a logic model template designed to help teams plan and describe how a program is intended to work by outlining its resources (inputs), activities/outputs, short-term outcomes, and long-term impacts, and encouraging clear specification of the program theory of change and dosage. It serves as a practical tool for guiding program planning, implementation, communication, and evaluation by visually linking what a program invests and does to the results it aims to achieve.
Program Sustainability
This document provides practical guidance on planning for and maintaining the long-term continuation of evidence-based prevention programs in community settings. It explains why sustainability matters for lasting public health impact, outlines key factors and strategies that support sustained implementation (such as leadership support, ongoing funding, and integration into existing systems), and offers tools for assessing and strengthening a program’s capacity to endure beyond initial implementation. This guidance helps implementation teams move from project start-up to durable practice that continues to benefit communities over time.
Developing a Program Evaluation Plan.
This resource is an 18-page practical guide for developing a comprehensive program evaluation plan, walking teams through key steps from establishing an evaluation team and understanding program materials to planning both process and outcome evaluations, launching data collection, and reporting results. It provides actionable guidance on selecting appropriate measures, aligning evaluation activities with a logic model, tracking implementation and outcomes, and ensuring findings are communicated effectively to support program improvement and stakeholder engagement.
Fidelity Checklist: Self-Report
This document is a self-report fidelity monitoring checklist that facilitators of an evidence-based program can complete after sessions to assess how closely the program was delivered as intended, covering areas such as adherence to core components, dosage/exposure, quality of delivery, and participant engagement. It is intended for use when a program does not provide its own fidelity tool and helps teams monitor and improve implementation quality over time.
Process Evaluation
The Steps for Process Evaluation resource outlines how to assess whether a program is being implemented as planned by systematically tracking key aspects of delivery. It guides teams to plan the process evaluation before implementation, identify what to measure (e.g., participant characteristics, attendance/utilization, fidelity/adherence, participant satisfaction, staff perceptions, work-plan adherence), determine data collection methods, assign responsibilities and timelines, and then analyze and summarize findings to inform midcourse corrections and support quality implementation. These steps help ensure the program runs according to design and provide documentation that can improve current and future implementations.
Fidelity Checklist: Observer-Report
This document is an observer-report fidelity monitoring checklist designed for a third-party observer to systematically record whether an evidence-based program was delivered as intended, including adherence to core components, facilitator behaviors, pacing, and participant engagement. Its purpose is to support objective fidelity assessment during implementation so teams can identify strengths and areas for improvement and ensure high-quality delivery.
Outcome Evaluation
The Outcome Evaluation Tool offers step-by-step guidance for planning and conducting an outcome evaluation, which measures how well a program achieves its intended effects on participant outcomes. It explains what outcome evaluation is and why it matters, outlines evaluation design options (e.g., pre-post designs, control groups), provides tips for selecting valid and reliable measures and managing data collection, and offers practical advice on data analysis and using findings to assess program impact and inform future decisions.
Fidelity Checklists for Specific Evidence-Based Programs
This link provides access to several evidence-based programs listed on the Blueprints or Healthy Youth Development registry, including the Blues Program, Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program, Strengthening Families Program 10-14, Project Towards No Drug Abuse, Positive Action, and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS).