February 26, 2020Event Recap

Funding Evidence-Based Programs in Partnership with the Congressional What Works Caucus

Federal/ 2020/

On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Results for America partnered with the bipartisan Congressional What Works Caucus to host a briefing on Capitol Hill entitled: “Funding Evidence-Based Programs.” The Co-Chair of the caucus, U.S. Representative Ben McAdams (D-UT), gave opening remarks about the importance of leveraging the appropriations cycle to fund evidence-based interventions and programs. Rep. McAdams also explained how the Evidence Act can build momentum across the federal government for generating and using evidence to improve results.

Ryan Martin, Senior Human Services Advisor on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, discussed the federal government’s role in driving better outcomes as a “consumer” of evidence, data and evaluations. Martin highlighted three core elements all federal human services programs should focus on funding: high quality evaluations of every program, research and development strategies like tiered evidence structures, and pay for performance.

The event featured a panel discussion with early childhood literacy, higher education, juvenile justice, and substance abuse disorder treatment leaders, who highlighted the power of evidence and Congress’s role in scaling solutions.

Panelists included:

  • Shawn McMillen, Executive Director, First Step House (UT)
  • Cory Classman-Ryan, Vice President for Student Success, Ivy Tech (IN)
  • Sadie O’Connor, Managing Director, Reading & Math, Inc./ Minnesota Reading Corps
  • Shaena Fazal, Chief of Public Policy, Advocacy and External Communications, Youth Advocate Programs
  • Kate Tromble, Vice President for Federal Policy, Results for America (moderator)