Reports

Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:10:23 +0000

Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:10

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) wanted to assess the evaluation approaches being used by the training programs that deliver site-specific and trade-specific training for a combination of nuclear, industrial, chemical, demolition, and construction activities at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites.

The solution: WTP requested that MDB complete an evaluation for the NIEHS-DOE Nuclear Worker Training Program to examine evaluation methods, challenges, and successes of awardees. This report provided a synopsis of evaluation methods used across the NIEHS-DOE Program, a summary of key findings from awardee evaluations, and lessons learned and recommendations for improving evaluation efforts across the program. MDB presented the evaluation to NIEHS and DOE leadership.

Notable outcomes: The evaluation was positively received. In addition, MDB concluded the report with several recommendations for the NIEHS-DOE Program to adopt. Now the program has the approaches to use to ensure the success and sustainability and the program.

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Measuring Watershed Partnership Impacts

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:03:21 +0000

Measuring Watershed Partnership Impacts

Communication & Outreach

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:03

The ask: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Urban Waters Program, which works in underserved watersheds across the country, needed a mechanism to highlight program achievements to date, community impacts, and environmental and public health successes.

The solution: To promote the achievements of the Urban Waters Program in connecting underserved communities with their watersheds, MDB led the development of the program’s first-ever Progress Report and supplemental overview fact sheet. We designed a process to curate and synthesize information on the program’s cumulative impacts and successes and engaged program stakeholders for report content and data. The report was effective in telling an engaging story of the program and highlighting environmental outcomes and funding leveraged, as well as providing a high-level snapshot of key projects and programmatic achievements of the Urban Waters locations.

Notable outcomes: The report was shared among all Urban Waters locations and was lauded by program leadership as an important step toward a more sustainable, accountable, impactful program.

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Facilitating a Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Materials Management

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 02:21:33 +0000

Facilitating a Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Materials Management

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

Facilitation

Global Hazards & Health

Reports

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 09:21

The ask: The Sustainable Materials Management Coalition —a public-private partnership of business, academia, environmental, community organizations, and state and local governments—needed technical support to help organizations consider the full range of environmental impacts products have throughout their lives.

The solution: MDB assigned Senior Vice President Tim Fields, a former EPA assistant administrator, to chair the Coalition and facilitate group discussions, as well as report development. MDB also provided meeting logistics, report drafting, and web hosting for the Coalition.

Notable outcomes: The Coalition issued its first report in 2012 entitled “Sustainable Materials Management: A New Materials Hierarchy, Solutions to Barriers, and Recommendations for a Path Forward,” which provided practical advice to various groups on how to incorporate life cycle thinking into materials management decisions.

A second report came in 2014 titled “Guidance on Life-Cycle Thinking and Its Role in Environmental Decision Making,” which is intended to help governments and businesses make more informed decisions as they seek to buy greener and safer products

The Coalition issued a third report in 2016 which supports a national goal of reducing the negative environmental impact of materials use across their entire lifecycle. The report stresses the importance of reduced waste generation and increased recycling in reducing materials use and adverse environmental impacts. It also outlines findings and recommendations on how to reduce the environmental impact of materials use.

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