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One of the questions I get asked most often—sometimes even by family and friends—is, “What exactly does LeCroy & Milligan Associates do?” It’s a fair question. Phrases like program evaluation, technical assistance, and data-driven decision-making can sound abstract or overly technical. But at the heart of our work is something deeply human: helping organizations make informed decisions that strengthen communities and improve lives. At LMA, we partner with the people and organ

One of the most interesting comments I’ve ever heard at a conference came from someone who casually said, “I have no problem with research—I just don’t want to listen to anyone talk about it.” As someone who has spent decades in research and program evaluation, that statement stuck with me. And honestly? I understand it. Too often, research is wrapped in jargon, overloaded with technical language, or presented in ways that feel disconnected from everyday life and real communi

Perhaps you've wondered what it's actually like to do our work. Maybe you picture us as data geeks, crunching numbers behind computer screens with a bag of chips nearby—like some strange form of adult video gaming, except the outcomes have real-world consequences. Or maybe you think of us as journalists, writing (or perhaps spinning?) stories for public and government audiences. Or perhaps we're the academic type, tucked away in offices surrounded by books, producing knowledg

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned working in behavioral health and program evaluation is this: data alone rarely creates change. Stories do. Of course, data matters. Outcomes matter. Evidence matters. In behavioral health especially, we need strong evaluation, thoughtful measurement, and reliable information to understand whether programs are truly helping people heal, stabilize, and thrive. But over the years, I’ve also learned that data without human connection can f

Human Intelligence in an AI-Supported World: Why Evaluation Still Needs People Organizations are working with more information than ever before. Program data, survey responses, administrative records, stakeholder feedback, grant reports, dashboards, and research summaries all compete for attention. At the same time, new AI-supported tools are changing how quickly information can be organized, summarized, and analyzed. For organizations working in health, behavioral health, ju