# Evidence to Policy Evaluation Center for Veterans (EPEC-Vet)

> **NIH VA I50** · EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL · 2024 · —

## Abstract

There is growing need for the conduct of national evaluations that will inform government
agencies regarding the value of their programs and policies. In 2018 the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (aka: Evidence Act, P.L. 115-435) was enacted that requires
Veterans Affairs (VA), and all other cabinet level agencies, to confirm that their budgets are
justified and supported by evidence and evaluation.
The Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) program facilitates the implementation of
the Evidence Act in VA by identifying high priority areas for which evaluation is needed to inform
policies. The high demand for these evaluations has led to the call for QUERI evidence-based
policy evaluation centers to address this growing need.
The HSR&D Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Care in Chicago is poised to conduct
evaluations of high priority programs and policies through the establishment of the Evidence to
Practice Evaluation Center for Veterans (EPEC-Vet). The EPEC-Vet will: 1) conduct rigorous
evaluations of high priority programs and policies that support implementation and/or ongoing
policies and practice, 2) disseminate findings to key operations partners and other stakeholders,
decision makers, researchers and veterans using a multi-pronged strategy of dissemination that
addresses the elements of the QUERI ACTION impact framework; and 3) be responsive to
stakeholder needs through the operation of an evaluation center that is flexible and has the
complement of expertise and experience. This is addressed through a team of co-investigators,
experienced program staff, a contract with our affiliated university to provide additional methods
experience, and a group of subject matter `experts on call' that are knowledgeable about several
of the priority areas identified in the RFA.
Our center's co-principal investigators, core leaders and co-investigators represent a seasoned
group of health services and QUERI investigators and methodologists who have experience
working with a variety of VA operations partners. To supplement our methodological needs, we
will contract with our university affiliate using evaluation-specific task orders. EPEC-Vet will be
led by two principal investigators (Weaver & Stroupe) who will oversee three cores: operations,
methods and knowledge translation. An advisory panel will provide regular review and feedback
on center progress and direction. We anticipate developing and executing at least two
evaluations each year.
Using a conceptual model modified from the Center for Disease Control's evaluation framework,
supplemented with implementation frameworks, our evaluation work will involve a cyclical
process of stakeholder engagement, development of evaluation plans, conduct of evaluations
and dissemination of findings. Our evaluations will provide evidence needed to support or
modify VHA policies and practices to provide the best outcomes for Veterans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11144961
- **Project number:** 5I50HX003632-02
- **Recipient organization:** EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kevin T. Stroupe
- **Activity code:** I50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-10-01 → 2027-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11144961

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11144961, Evidence to Policy Evaluation Center for Veterans (EPEC-Vet) (5I50HX003632-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11144961. Licensed CC0.

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