USU’s TRECI Team Strengthens Organizational Impact Through Better Data and Evaluation Services

USU’s Institute for Disability, Research, Policy, & Practice (IDRPP) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services announces the creation of the Tailored Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement (TRECI) team. TRECI is a combined consulting and program services group dedicated to providing well-designed evaluation and other research-related services. The group partners with researchers, project leaders, faculty, nonprofits, and governmental and non-governmental organizations in Utah and beyond to design and carry out effective research, evaluation, and quality improvement work. TRECI’s team of Ph.D.-level professionals consists of Alyson Ward, Heather Kelley, Alex Schiwal, and Audrey Juhasz.

The TRECI team works on a wide range of projects for clients, which have included public health programs, K-12 education agencies, higher education projects, and nonprofits. TRECI helps organizations gather and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, said TRECI team lead Alyson Ward. “If the right research design and evaluation plan is set up from the beginning, it really ends up saving the organization a lot of time, effort, and frustration.”

As part of its collaborative approach, TRECI also works closely with the IDRPP’s Partners in Disability Research Board, which includes individuals with disabilities and their family members. Alex Schiwal explains that organizations can use the TRECI accessibility evaluation to ensure their buildings and services are more accessible to people with disabilities.

TRECI’s services span continuous quality improvement, evaluation, and research. Continuous improvement uses small-scale tests of change, referred to as Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles, to examine processes and strengthen outcomes. For example, Ward worked with a health care provider to reduce no-show appointments—which cost the facility millions per year—through small-scale interventions such as providing Uber rides or medical taxis to improve appointment attendance. “It’s doing these small tests of change to build confidence that whatever you’re testing works, before you move to full implementation,” Ward said.

Evaluation services help organizations determine whether program goals are met, including tool development, data collection, analysis, and reporting. “Especially in times when budgets are tight, people want to know that programs are worth investing in,” said TRECI member Audrey Juhasz. “Being able to showcase the impact of your program and continuously improve your services are essential for long-term success.” TRECI also conducts rigorous research, including power analysis, sampling, and statistical methods designed to build generalizable knowledge.

In addition to collecting data and ensuring strong research design, the team can analyze results and present information in easy-to-digest formats such as dashboards and infographics. TRECI also provides needs assessments, SWOT analyses, environmental scans, accessibility evaluations, training, and grant-writing assistance.

Visit the TRECI website to learn more about its services. To request a training, schedule an accessibility evaluation, explore collaboration on upcoming grants, or book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss program evaluation, email the TRECI team.