Assessing the Benefits of Community Human Services

This literature review was undertaken on behalf of the Community Human Services Network of Alberta.  The Network is composed of representatives of 20 networks and coalitions representing nonprofit human services in Alberta.

The report presents a summary of the benefits literature in eight areas of human service.  It places special emphasis on early childhood development and care, and crime prevention − the two domains with the most wide-ranging and robust evidence base.

The report also highlights the challenges involved in this work related to the widely variable evidence base among the eight areas of human service and to shifts in their delivery.  Key developments in evaluation methods, including the growing interest in Social Return on Investment and developmental evaluation, are considered as well.

ISBN – 1-55382-569-1