At its core, evaluation is about change. In California tobacco prevention, we use evaluation to learn what works and what doesn't, continually improving our efforts. And sometimes, yes, even your friendly evaluation associates make changes to how we do things internally.

Check out what's new and different at TCEC:

Hello, California tobacco prevention community!

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the newest member of the TCEC team. My name is Hyewon Park, and I bring a Ph.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, along with a heart full of stories and a passion for supporting those who need it most. 

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the treasure trove of tools and resources on the TCEC website, but in case the “Our Team” page isn’t one you check up on often, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sophia Strohmeier-Breuning, and I’m one of TCEC’s new Evaluation Associates! 

Need help writing your Final Evaluation Reports? Not sure how to get started? Don't worry! TCEC has a wealth of resources available for report writing. 

Reporting season is in full swing, and TCEC has already held two sessions on this topic. This newsletter details the answers to some questions that came up at those sessions.

After a long absence, TCEC is excited to return to providing in-person regional trainings in 2025!

They're a chance for folks working in California tobacco prevention to come together in person for a daylong deep dive into an area of evaluation that impacts your work. (And don't worry, we provide plenty of food!)

The last time the TCEC team was able to hit the road and bring our evaluation expertise to your community was 2019— what feels like an eternity ago.

As your Ghost of Evaluation Future, I’ll give you a glimpse into what’s in store for 2025.

Have you heard the phrase, “An organization is only as good as its people?”

It’s true that the passionate and dedicated agency staff of California’s tobacco prevention projects are what drive the success of these programs. However, when these team members move on to new projects, jobs, or life paths, what happens to the program’s progress?

Many project directors and new agency staff can tell you—it’s difficult to continually start from square one! Staff turnover is a common challenge for both local lead agencies and competitive grantees working in tobacco prevention.