Project Background and Aims

In 1993, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health (CDC/OSH) began efforts to specifically address tobacco-related disparities in priority populations. This effort was expanded, in 2001, with the development of a five-year cooperative agreement to create the National Network Initiative. As a result, eight original national networks were funded to identify and share effective strategies in addressing tobacco control. In an effort to continue the success and progression of work by the original national networks, CDC/OSH funded six national organizations for a new two-year funding cycle to lead a network that specifically addresses tobacco use and prevention in specified priority populations. The purpose of the second cooperative agreement is to prevent and reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among the African American; American Indian/Alaskan Native; Asian American/Pacific Islander; Hispanic/Latino; low socio-economic status; and the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender populations. CTPR has been selected as the evaluator for the CDC/OSH, National Network Initiative. The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the development and implementation of the six national tobacco control networks for priority populations.

Project Objectives

The primary objectives of the evaluation are: To evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and retention of organizational stakeholders and partners into the networks To identify successful activities the networks have implemented To evaluate the level of collaboration between the networks and key state agencies and organizations To evaluate the types of expert consultation the networks provide to stakeholders and partners

Network Definition and Stakeholders/Partner Identification

To facilitate evaluation activities a working definition of a core strategic network and identification criteria of network stakeholders or partners has been established. Definition: The core strategic network is a partnership of critical agencies that are leading efforts in tobacco control among priority populations. Identification criteria of network stakeholders/partners: Core strategic network stakeholders or partners include any critical organizations or individuals who have had contact with the network within the last 12 months and meet one of the following criteria: Has provided input for strategic planning for the network Has received funding for tobacco control efforts for the priority population Has conducted program and/or policy efforts in tobacco control at the national or regional levels

Evaluation Activities

The evaluation will include three main activities: Social Network Analysis An examination of inter-organizational relationships between network partners will be conducted. A list of all key stakeholders and partners will be obtained from each of the six network directors. Key stakeholders and partners identified by each network will be invited to complete a brief web-based survey. Key Informant Interviews Qualitative interviews will be conducted with directors from the lead organizations in each network and representatives from selected organizations participating in each network. Each interview will be conducted via telephone. Progress Report Review An in-depth review will be conducted of the networks’ submitted semi-annual and annual progress reports. With input from the evaluation committee, consisting of representatives from CDC/OSH, each network and CTPR, an Evaluation Logic Model is being developed to guide each evaluation activity.

More Information about the CDC National Networks

To learn more about the CDC National Networks Initiative please visit the national networks central webpage. To learn about each network and their respective priority populations, please visit their websites. Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL) National African American Tobacco Education Network (NAATEN) National Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender Tobacco Control Network (LGBT) National Latino Tobacco Prevention and Control Network (LCAT) National Network on Tobacco Prevention and Poverty (NNTPP) National Tribal Tobacco Prevention Network (NTTPN)