Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Analytics

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• Guaranteed Income as a Prevention Strategy in Child Welfare

  Evaluation of the Family Income for Empowerment Program (FIEP)

  The Family Income for Empowerment Program is a lottery-based, guaranteed income pilot led by the Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) Child and Family Well-Being department and implemented with Jewish Family Service of San Diego. The program provides direct cash payments to 452 low-income families who have had prior involvement with the County’s child welfare system. The evaluation includes a causal impact study on future child welfare involvement and well-being outcomes, a process evaluation to inform improvements, and a cost analysis to assess fiscal implications for the County.

  What we will learn: This study will assess whether guaranteed income reduces recurrence of child abuse or neglect, improves quality of life for participating families, and offers a cost-effective model for prevention. 

  Report expected 2027.

• Collaborative Governance Models to Build Trust and Advance Climate Efforts

  Evaluation of the Environmental Justice Workgroup 

  The Environmental Justice Workgroup was launched in 2025 by the Land Use and Environmental Group’s (LUEG) Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice. The group was created to build trust between community members and local government by fostering authentic relationships and shared leadership in addressing climate injustices. The group includes 21 members representing Tribal communities, youth, academics, residents, and community-based organizations from across the region. Through ongoing collaboration, shared learning, and co-developed strategies, the Workgroup aims to create a foundation for more inclusive and equitable environmental decision-making.

  What we will learn: This evaluation will explore how well the Environmental Justice Workgroup model fosters trust, supports sustained and meaningful collaboration, and contributes to more equitable outcomes in environmental governance throughout San Diego County. 

  Report expected 2026.

• Rental Subsidies as a Homeless Prevention Tool for Older Adults

  Evaluation of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Program (SRSP) 

  This study evaluates the causal impact of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Program, a pilot offering $500 per month rent subsidies and light-touch case management to low-income older adults who struggle to pay rent. Among 1,133 eligible households, 382 were selected through a random lottery to receive the subsidy for 18 to 30 months. This pilot is being implemented in collaboration with the HHSA’s Office of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Social Solutions.

  What we will learn: Through this study, we will learn whether this type of intervention reduces homelessness risk and improves housing stability, especially for low-income older adults. Subsidies are set to conclude by June 2026.

  Report expected 2026-2027.

• Unconditional Cash Payments on Housing Stability and Well-Being

  Evaluation of the Recovery Action Fund for Tomorrow (RAFT)

  This evaluation of the Recovery Action Fund for Tomorrow program explores the effects of a one-time $4,000 cash transfer provided to 2,250 low-income families and seniors in areas hit hardest by COVID-19. In collaboration with HHSA’s Self Sufficiency Services, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, and academic researchers, the evaluation focuses on changes in economic security, well-being, and—among high-risk participants—homelessness prevention outcomes. 

  What we will learn: This study will provide insights into the effectiveness of cash assistance as a tool for homelessness prevention and economic resilience, helping inform future County investments in economic support programs. 

  Report expected 2025.

• Shared Housing as a Strategy to Reduce Isolation Among Older Adults

  Evaluation of the Shared Housing for Older Adults Program 

  The Shared Housing for Older Adults Program is a pilot program designed to match low-income older adults looking for housing with other residents who have available rooms in their homes. Operated by HHSA’s Housing and Community Development Services and ElderHelp of San Diego, the program includes assessments, matchmaking, and ongoing support for up to 25 shared housing arrangements. 

  What we will learn: The evaluation will help us understand strengths and weaknesses of program design and implementation, and whether, how, and for whom shared housing improves housing stability, supports aging in place, and helps reduce loneliness and social isolation among older adults in the region. If the pilot shows promising results, it could provide evidence to recommend expanding it. If it does not, the evaluation will provide insights for future program development. 

  Report expected 2025-2026.

• Testing an Equity-Centered Evaluation Framework in County Practice

  The County is piloting a new evaluation framework to better understand how equity is incorporated into programs and services. This effort is led by the Finance and General Government Group’s (FG3) Office of Equity and Racial Justice. The framework will assess how well programs adapt to meet the needs of different groups. It will recommend ways to apply an equity lens to evaluation, such as centering the stories of people impacted by a program or providing opportunities for community members and the County to partner on evaluations. This effort is part of a larger collaborative with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and is being co-created with 23 other local jurisdictions. 

  What we will learn: This project will assess whether the County’s new approach helps departments apply an “equity lens” to more meaningfully plan and evaluate their work. If successful, the framework will enable stronger integration of community knowledge and power-sharing to make programs effective for the communities they serve.

  Report expected 2025.

• Systemwide Alternatives to Jail for Low-Level and Behavioral Health Cases

  Evaluation of the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Initiative

  The Alternatives to Incarceration initiative is led by the Public Safety Group (PSG). It seeks to keep people who do not pose a public safety threat from going to or returning to jail. The initiative does this by expanding the use of community-based services and transitional supports for people reentering communities after being in jail. The evaluation focuses on how the collaborative initiative is designed and implemented. It assesses utilization and effectiveness of services across different groups of people, with special attention equity in service delivery.

  What we will learn: This Learning Activity will help determine whether Alternatives to Incarceration efforts are appropriately designed, equitably implemented, and if they are effective in addressing the needs of the focus population and reducing recidivism rates. The study will also lay the groundwork for future impact studies.

  First report expected 2025, then ongoing updates.

• Countywide Strategy to Evaluate Gun Violence Reduction Efforts

  Evaluation of the Gun Violence Reduction Initiative 

  Following a comprehensive 2024 needs assessment led by Health Assessment and Research for Communities, the County is launching a 17-item, “Gun Violence Reduction implementation plan,” coordinated by PSG. OEPA and PSG will work together to conduct performance measurement and evaluation to track and assess the performance and impact of the implementation plan to support continuous learning.

  What we will learn: This effort will clarify two important items. First, which strategies are most effective in reducing gun violence. And second, how a collaborative infrastructure can support successful, sustained, data-informed action.

  Report tentatively expected 2027-2028.

• Evaluation of Climate Action Plan Strategies

  OEPA is partnering with the County of San Diego’s Planning and Development Services, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, and the University of California San Diego to design and implement randomized experiments to evaluate one or more strategies in the County’s Climate Action Plan. 

  What we will learn: Using a rigorous randomized evaluation design, we will be able to better understand the causal relationship between certain Climate Action Plan efforts, such as installation of electric vehicle charging stations, on greenhouse gas reduction, air quality improvement, green job creation, and equity advancement. 

  Report tentatively expected 2028.