Program evaluation consultant
Your programs change lives.
We help you prove it.
Your programs change lives. We help you prove it.
Independent program evaluation for behavioral health, justice, and youth development programs.
25+ years turning program data into clear evidence that funders trust and boards can act on.
Ph.D. evaluator and professor · Published, peer-reviewed research · Federally funded program experience
James Pann, Ph.D.
Principal Evaluator, EvalNetwork
Trusted evaluator on programs funded by SAMHSA · DOJ · OVW · HHS · NSF · ED
Translating program data into evidence funders trust
When you’re immersed in day‑to‑day operations it’s hard to prove, let alone improve, your results.
EvalNetwork brings 25 years of independent evaluation experience, translating program data into clear evidence that funders trust and boards can act on.
From crafting logic models pre‑proposal to delivering summative impact reports, we turn insight into influence so your organization can secure resources and scale what works.
“We worked with Dr. Pann and EvalNetwork for more than a decade, starting with the evaluation of a foundation grant. They have also supported us with data collection and funder reporting. Dr. Pann helped us see our own data as a tool for growth, not just accountability. They’re responsive, invested in our success, and feel like part of the team. I’d recommend them to any organization looking for a trusted evaluation partner.”
Andrea Ivory
Founder & Executive Director, The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative
Independent external evaluator for nonprofits and grant-funded programs
Located in Miami, Florida, and working nationally, we serve as a program evaluation consultant and external evaluator, specializing in evaluation and research projects in the health, human services, and education sectors.
We bring curiosity and compassion to our evaluation projects, with expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. (We are experts at making data un-boring.)
Over the past 25 years, we have led evaluation projects funded by:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Department of Justice (DoJ)
- Office of Violence Against Women (OVW)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Department of Education (DoE)
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Other federal and foundation sources (e.g., the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
What EvalNetwork brings to your organization
Grant-winning evaluation sections
Craft reviewer-friendly plans that strengthen grant proposals and boost scores.
Strategic clarity
Align goals, activities, and metrics with a logic model so every action advances the mission.
Data-driven decisions
Turn raw numbers and stakeholder feedback into clear, visual insights that guide budgeting and priorities.
Continuous improvement
Detect issues early through real-time monitoring and rapid-feedback reporting.
Credibility with funders and boards
Provide an independent, evidence-based perspective that increases transparency and trust.
Rigorous, tailored methods
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs chosen to fit your evaluation questions, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Our focus areas
SAMHSA grant evaluation
Specialized behavioral health evaluation for SAMHSA grantees and applicants, from NOFO application through closeout. We craft reviewer-ready plans, manage performance and outcome reporting, and keep funding on track.
Learn more ›Justice system evaluation
Evidence-based evaluation for criminal justice, juvenile justice, and community corrections programs. We document outcomes, satisfy funder requirements, and build the case for what works in diversion, reentry, and specialty courts.
Learn more ›Youth development evaluation
Comprehensive evaluation for positive youth development, afterschool, and out-of-school-time programs. We measure what matters, from developmental assets to program quality, and turn it into actionable insights.
Learn more ›Program evaluation services and common questions
What we do
✓Grant proposal planning and development
We partner with you at the proposal stage to develop clear, reviewer-friendly evaluation sections, including research design, methodology, outcome measures, data collection plans, timelines, and evaluation budgets, aligned with funder priorities and scoring criteria.
✓Formative and summative evaluations
We evaluate your programs at every stage, from early implementation (formative) to final outcomes (summative), so you can adjust, improve, and clearly demonstrate success, with frameworks tailored to your program's theory of change.
✓Needs assessment evaluations
We clearly identify and document community needs, gaps, and priorities. This evidence informs decisions, maximizes your resources, and often forms the foundation of a successful grant application.
✓Process and implementation evaluations
We examine how your programs operate, assessing implementation fidelity and identifying strengths and bottlenecks, with practical recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
✓Outcome and impact evaluations
We determine whether your programs achieve their intended goals, connecting your interventions to long-term change and giving funders and boards concrete evidence of your effectiveness.
✓Economic evaluations
We quantify your program's economic value through cost analysis, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, and return on investment, so stakeholders clearly understand the value of their investment.
✓Evaluation capacity building and training
We strengthen your team's internal evaluation skills through tailored workshops, coaching, and technical assistance, so your staff can independently measure, assess, and communicate impact.
Common questions
What types of organizations do you work with?
Nonprofits, community-based organizations, government agencies, universities, and coalitions in the health, human services, education, and justice sectors, from small grassroots groups to established institutions.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. Every engagement begins with a free discovery call to learn about your program, goals, and evaluation needs. No obligation, just a conversation about how we can support your work.
What makes EvalNetwork different?
Dr. Pann brings 25+ years of evaluation experience, a background in psychology, and an active role as a university professor, combining academic rigor with real-world practicality.
What is program evaluation, and why does my organization need it?
Program evaluation is the systematic collection and analysis of data to determine whether a program is meeting its goals and how to improve it. It gives funders and boards credible evidence of your impact, and gives your team actionable insight to strengthen programming over time.
What's the difference between an internal and external evaluator?
An internal evaluator is on your staff, while an external evaluator is an independent consultant. Funders and reviewers value the objectivity an external evaluator brings, and many federal grants, including SAMHSA awards, require or prefer one. We serve as your independent external evaluator while working as a true partner to your team.
Can you help write the evaluation section of a grant proposal?
Yes. We develop clear, reviewer-friendly evaluation plans aligned with the funder's priorities and scoring criteria, including design, outcome measures, data collection, timelines, and budget. Bringing us in at the proposal stage integrates evaluation with your program design and helps you avoid leaving points on the table.
How do I get started?
Book a free discovery call and we'll map out the next steps together.
Highlighted projects and articles
A $2.89M health foundation initiative across three counties
Lead evaluator for a major South Florida health foundation's healthy-eating, active-communities initiative, a multi-year, multi-site evaluation across dozens of organizations in three counties. Documented in a peer-reviewed article.
Read more ›A best-practices model for individuals with mental illness in the justice system
Dr. Pann co-authored this book, published by Springer, introducing an evidence-based model for serving individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system. It grew out of a county needs assessment.
Read more ›Developmental monitoring in Early Head Start with the CDC
Program evaluation for a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative in partnership with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Findings were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Read more ›Presented at these conferences and events
Blog posts and podcast episodes
Project AWARE Evaluation Planning: What FY 2026 SAMHSA Applicants Should Prepare Before the NOFO Releases
What evaluation reviewers expect on a Project AWARE proposal, what to draft now before the FY 2026 NOFO drops, and how to align logic models with cross-school data collection.
Read more ›
Evaluating SAMHSA Substance Use, Opioid, Prevention, and Recovery Grants: An FY 2026 Guide
An FY 2026 guide to evaluating SAMHSA substance use, opioid, prevention, and recovery grants. Includes what reviewers look for and what to plan for under SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C reporting.
Read more ›
FY 2026 CCBHC Grants: Why Applicants Should Line Up an External Evaluator Early
Why CCBHC applicants for SM-26-014, SM-26-015, and SM-26-016 should bring in an external evaluator before the NOFO releases, and what to have ready to score full points on the evaluation criterion.
Read more ›