BETHESDA, MD—The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has retained Abt Associates to evaluate the performance of the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative—an initiative to encourage economic stabilization and recovery in six economically distressed cities in the U.S.

“Our work will ensure that the most effective practices will be used in future efforts to help revitalize economically troubled communities,” said Mary Joel Holin, vice president of Abt’s Social and Economic Policy Division.

Holin said that Abt is assessing what worked and what didn’t in the implementation of the initiative by the Community Solutions Team (CST) in the six cities.  CST, she explained, is comprised of agency staff from across the federal government working to achieve the goals of the initiative.

“Abt’s efforts involve evaluating the CST’s work to build local assets, strengthen regional economies, develp transportation infrastructure, improve job training programs and support neighborhood revitalization,” Holin said.  She pointed to the CST’s technical assistance in helping Fresno, California, re-route its planned Bus Rapid Transit line as an example of the work Abt will be assessing.  In this case, Holin said, the goal of the CST’s work was to help Fresno maximize its economic and planning impact while better leveraging multiple federal investments.

The six pilot communities that are part of this initiative are Chester, Pennsylvania; Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Fresno, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Abt is partnering with Mt. Auburn Associates, RW Ventures and consultant Christopher Walker, on this project.  Abt’s project lead is Amy Minzner, associate.

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2012 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators.  The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.

Contact:

Sandy Cogan
sandy_cogan@abtassoc.com
301-347-5913