The Evaluation, Learning & Technical Assistance team partners with organizations, agencies, and communities to strengthen systems that improve behavioral health. Combining expertise in evaluation, implementation science, organizational development, and public health, the team helps partners move beyond reporting requirements to create meaningful, measurable improvement.

This work spans strategic consultation, operational evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and tailored technical assistance across prevention, treatment, and recovery systems, with particular expertise in rural and underserved communities. Rather than delivering one-size-fits-all solutions, the team works alongside partners to identify practical strategies that fit local needs, resources, and culture.

A major component of this work is supported through the SAMHSA-funded Rural Opioid Technical Assistance–Regional (ROTA-R) initiative, where the team collaborates with Cooperative Extension and university partners across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas to strengthen rural systems of care. Additional partnerships with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services support statewide prevention initiatives through evaluation, performance monitoring, and implementation support.

Evaluation and technical assistance are intentionally integrated. Evaluation identifies opportunities for growth, while technical assistance helps organizations respond to those findings with evidence-informed action. Together, this continuous learning approach helps partners strengthen programs, improve outcomes, and build sustainable systems that better serve their communities.

Impact

• Helping organizations use data to drive meaningful systems improvement rather than simply measure performance.

• Strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery systems across Oklahoma and the south-central United States.

• Building long-term organizational capacity through collaborative evaluation, continuous learning, and practical technical assistance.