Evaluation support for Americorps

We're pleased to announce that Shaffer Evaluation Group was awarded a contract from the Virginia Department of Social Services, Office on Volunteerism and Community Service, to improve the capacity, understanding and achievement of performance measures of organizations currently receiving support for AmeriCorps State and/or Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) programming. We will work collectively and individually with up to 20 AmeriCorps and VGF programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia to enhance their knowledge, skills, and implementation related to effective program design, measurement, and evaluation in alignment with Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) guidelines.

New grant awards support military-connected students

Several Shaffer Evaluation Group clients received good news this summer that their projects supporting military-connected students had won Federal funding! Congratulations to Burkburnett Independent School District (TX), Kittery School District (ME), Lackland Independent School District (TX), Norfolk Public Schools (VA), Poquoson City Public Schools (VA), Prince George County Public Schools (VA), and Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VA) on their new DODEA grant awards.

Applying for a grant? The Shaffer Evaluation Group partners with school districts, universities, and other educational entities on grant applications supporting educational initiatives. The Shaffer Evaluation Group supports the grant writing process by providing an evaluation plan that meets or exceeds the requirements established by governmental agencies, philanthropies, and other funders.

Alaska Site Visit Finds Rich STEM Activities, Dual Credit Programs

Dr. Shaffer recently returned from a weeklong visit to Dillingham, Alaska, home of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus. This small campus plays a very big role serving the residents of Bristol Bay region and the Aleutian and Pribilof islands. Because geography and climate are strong factors affecting campus services, regional hubs supported by the Bristol Bay campus are instrumental in bringing higher education through traditional and technological means to isolated communities. Strong partnerships with K-12 school districts has yielded rich dual credit and occupational endorsement coursework, including in industries highly relevant in rural Alaska, such as aviation and fisheries. For traditional higher education students, cutting edge programs in Sustainable Energy and Ecosystem Health support the subsistence lifestyle common in this region. Shaffer Evaluation Group is proud to have worked with the Bristol Bay campus as the evaluator of their Title III grant since late 2014.