Primary Evaluation Sponsor

The PACE evaluation is funded by The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE).  OPRE is the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs designed to improve the economic and social well-being of children and families.

Lead Evaluator

Abt Associates Inc.  is the lead organization on the PACE evaluation.  Abt Associates is a mission driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and economic policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked 19th among the top U.S. research organizations and as one of the top 25 global research firms in 2010. The employee-owned company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.

Evaluation Partners

Abt Associates has several partners who are assisting with the PACE evaluation:

	American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan organization of state and local human service agencies and individuals that develops and promotes policies and practices to improve the health and well-being of families, children, and adults.
	MEF Associates works to improve the lives of vulnerable children and youth, adults, and families through evaluation, research, and analysis to support the effectiveness of programs designed to help them.
	National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that provides research, technical assistance, and information to policymakers in the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths, and territories.
	National Governors Association (NGA) is a public policy organization that serves as the collective voice of the nation’s governors to promote visionary state leadership and share best practices.
	Urban Institute fosters sound public policy and effective government by analyzing policies, evaluating programs, and informing community development to improve social, civic, and economic well-being.

Other Project Sponsors

	The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.
	The Joyce Foundation is supporting programs participating in PACE.The Joyce Foundation supports the development of policies that both improve the quality of life for people in the Great Lakes region and serve as models for the rest of the country. We focus on today’s most pressing problems while also informing the public policy decisions critical to creating opportunity and achieving long-term solutions. The work is based on sound research and is focused on where we can add the most value. We encourage innovative and collaborative approaches with a regional focus and the potential for a national reach.
	The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion private, national foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations through its support of nonprofit organizations working in its seven program areas: Arts and Culture, Community Development, Detroit, Education, the Environment, Health, and Human Services. In 2011, the Board of Trustees approved 356 awards totaling $170 million; $140 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year.
	The Meadows Foundation assists people and institutions of Texas to improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations. The Meadows Foundation strives to exemplify the principles of its founder in addressing basic human needs by working toward the elimination of ignorance, hopelessness and suffering, protecting the environment, providing cultural enrichment, encouraging excellence and promoting understanding and cooperation among people.
	The Open Society Foundation’s Special Fund for Poverty Alleviation has made a generous grant to support services at PACE sites. Through the Special Fund, OSF invests in innovative efforts to strengthen the social safety net and to create better career pathways through access to quality education and training programs.