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The Community Guide Home Page

Program Planning Resource

Program planning is a multi-step process that generally begins with the definition of the problem and development of an evaluation plan. Although specific steps may vary, they usually include a feedback loop, with findings from program evaluation being used for program improvement.

The types of steps that are generally used in program planning are listed in the table below, along with selected resources that may be useful at each step. 

Using Evidence-Based Resources for Program Design,
Implementation, and Evaluation
Step Description Suggested Resources
1 Identify primary health issues in your community County Health Rankings

National Public Health Performance Standards

MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships)
2 Develop measurable process and outcome objectives to assess progress in addressing these health issues
 Healthy People 2010 Leading Health Indicators

HEDIS® (Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set) performance measures
3 Select effective interventions to help achieve these objectives The Guide to Community Preventive Services

The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services

National Guideline Clearinghouse
4 Implement selected interventions www.PreventionInfo.org

CDCynergy
5 Evaluate selected interventions based on objectives; use this information to improve program Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health

CDCynergy
1-5 All of the above The Community Health Promotion Handbook: Action Guides to Improve Community Health

Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. (Plan, Link, Act, Network with Evidence-based Tools)

Community Tool Box

Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
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Contact Us:
  • Community Guide Branch
    National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Road NE
    Mailstop E-69
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • Community Guide
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Community Guide Branch, National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-69, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A. communityguide@cdc.gov