Harry Cummings and Associates has expertise and experience in seven major areas:

(Refer to Assignment Section to view various projects)

Evaluation and Planning

We are committed to participatory evaluation processes, acknowledging that program stakeholders have a critical role to play in evaluation planning, design and implementation. We strive to incorporate the perspectives, needs and values of all stakeholders in our evaluation processes. In doing so, we believe that the utility of evaluation processes and results increases. Although we specialize in evaluation and planning, we are also involved in training, needs assessments, group facilitation and extensive cross-cultural work. We bring to assignments a specialization in all aspects of evaluation from the program initiation stage to the completion of impact evaluations.

Of particular relevance is our experience in the following areas:

• Planning and Implementation of all Aspects of Integrated Rural Development Projects
• Results-Based Management
• Participatory Evaluation
• Evaluation Frameworks
• Monitoring Systems
• Development Of Indicators
• Capacity Building / Training
• Gender Analysis
• Needs Assessment
• Special Studies
• Development of Tools & Databases
• Quality Assurance / Continuous Quality Improvement

, through participation in local and regional evaluation interest groups and international evaluation computer networks, and by participating in and leading workshops presented by the Canadian Evaluation Society, our team is well informed in current evaluation approaches and issues. We also provide graduate level instruction in program evaluation and regularly present at national and international conferences on the topic.

We approach evaluation using outcome, or results-based methods; that is, assessing the ability of programs to achieve their desired outcomes. A typical results-based approach examines program inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact in order to determine whether the desired outcomes can, and/or are likely to be achieved through the implementation of the program. This includes assessments of the:

Rationale (the internal logic of the program)

Efficiency (timeliness, quality and quantity of the intervention)

Effectiveness (immediate changes in practice resulting from the interventions)

Impacts (long term changes or impacts resulting from the interventions)

Equity (are all those implicated equally well served?)

We also ensure that appropriate indicators are selected for each of the issue areas of rationale, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and equity. Finally, we note the importance of distinguishing between formative (short term process oriented) evaluation questions and those associated with summative (long term outcomes, impacts) issues.

Health Care Issues

Recently, HCA has been involved in several performance review studies for the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council. HCA developed a framework for evaluating the Quality Assurance Programs for 21 Colleges of Health in Ontario and supported the evaluation process. HCA also evaluated the Patient Relations for the Colleges. HCA has worked with Hospitals, Community Care Access Centres, various health professionals, Ministry of Health and the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Community Issues

HCA has been involved in several local and community issues. HCA believes in working with the community and supporting activities that would improve the quality of life for the residents of communities. HCA conducted a public attitude survey for transportation policies and measures, a water conservation study, and a locational study for the new YMCA in Guelph. Members of the HCA team have also been involved with discussions and projects in examining appropriate zoning and development of public policies for commercial and residential development. HCA works with local community groups, interest groups, and private organizations and municipal councils (planning, zoning, public meetings).

Municipal Issues

HCA has had experience working with municipalities in several projects. Some of the work includes community economic development projects in Huron County, industrial land use and resource development in the city of Brampton, and some feasibility studies. HCA can offer Municipalities the following services:

• Community/Commercial Economic Development
• Economic Impact Assessment
• Program Evaluation
• Policy Review
• Land Use Planning
• Retail Planning
• Survey Design and Analysis (retail, transportation or natural resources)
• Community Needs Assessments
• Rural/Urban Fringe planning and development

Agricultural Issues

HCA has extensive experience in conducting agricultural impact assessments, including completed and ongoing projects in 24 Ontario counties The methodology developed by HCA has become the provincial standard to assess the economic impact of agriculture at the County level. In addition, HCA has done evaluation and planning of irrigation, agriculture rural development and land use planning in International Development. Furthermore, HCA has worked with agricultural land use and rural/urban fringe development and farmers markets. HCA has worked extensively with Federal and Provincial ministries, OMAFRA, county level Federations of Agriculture, Municipal Planning Boards, Training Boards and Human Resources Development Canada.

International Development Issues

HCA has worked on an array of International issues in more than a dozen countries. Most recently a literature review on Urban Poverty was conducted. Several evaluations have been done on food aid projects in Indonesia and Kenya. Other recent projects include development and planning assistance in Indonesia, RBM training and advising for Conservation Management in China and Vietnam, and evaluating an integrated community development program in Ethiopia. HCA has worked as an advisor to governments as well as provided leadership and guidance to several development agencies and NGOs including CIDA, UN agencies, CARE, OXFAM and World Vision.

Research

Our team has strong research skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application to a wide variety of settings.

This includes extensive experience in:

• Designing and Implementing Baseline and Impact Data Collection and Analysis
• Policy Analysis
• Secondary Data Analysis, (including Census of Canada)
• Database Development
• Survey Development and Management
• Key Informant Interviews and Focus Groups.

We are also skilled in cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. We use experimental, quasi-experimental, naturalistic and participatory research methodologies and take care to select the most appropriate and achievable methodologies for each assignment, by balancing clients' resources (time, finances and expertise) with their research and information needs.