Order Number |
636738393092 |
Type of Project |
ESSAY |
Writer Level |
PHD VERIFIED |
Format |
APA |
Academic Sources |
10 |
Page Count |
3-12 PAGES |
Dudley (2020) points out that social work practice is usually embedded in programs. While you looked at practice evaluation using single-subject design in Week 3, this week, you shift focus to program evaluation. Program evaluation serves many purposes, including accountability to funders and to the public. Often, funding sources such as government agencies or private foundations requires periodic program evaluations. These evaluations can help provide answers to many different questions, and can contribute to improvement of services. There are a variety of program evaluation models that are appropriate for addressing different questions as well as facilitating the collection and analysis of many different types of data.
To prepare for this Discussion, identify a program within an agency with which you are familiar, which could benefit from process evaluation and outcome evaluation. You do not need to identify the agency in your post. Also, review the different evaluation models highlighted in this week’s resources (needs assessment, program monitoring, client satisfaction study, outcome evaluation, or cost benefit study).
BY DAY 3
Post a brief summary of the program that you selected. Recommend a program evaluation model that would answer a question relevant to the program. Explain the potential benefits of the program evaluation that you proposed (both process and outcome). Identify 2–3 concerns that stakeholders might have about your proposed evaluation and how you would address those concerns. Then explain 2–3 concerns that stakeholders may have about your proposed program evaluation and how you would address those concerns.
BY DAY 5
Respond to a colleague by doing all of the following:
Identify the stage or stages of the program to which your colleague’s selected question relates.
Suggest an additional question or concern that stakeholders may have about program evaluation.
Recommend an alternative model for the evaluation.
Colleague 1: Katherine
RE: Discussion – Week 6
Post a brief summary of the program that you selected.
A brief summary of the program that I selected is a day treatment program for adults with mental illness in the state of Arkansas.
Recommend a program evaluation model that would answer a question relevant to the program.
A program evaluation model that I would use to answer a relevant question to the program I selected is program monitoring. This is used to monitor how a program is functioning that already exists.
Explain the potential benefits of the program evaluation that you proposed (both process and outcome).
The potential benefits of the program evaluation, program monitoring, that I proposed would be the ability to track program information, improve future activities, or any behavior changes.
“What makes a process evaluation so important is that researchers often have relied only on selected program outcome indicators such as termination and graduation rates or number of rearrests to determine effectiveness” (Logan & Royse, p 225).
“Outcome or impact evaluation focuses on the targeted objectives of the program, often looking at variables such as behavior change” (Logan & Royse, p 226).
Identify 2–3 concerns that stakeholders might have about your proposed evaluation and how you would address those concerns.
Some concerns that stakeholder might have about the proposed evaluation, which is program monitoring, would be, 1. It does not identify effectiveness. 2. It does not identify the overall outcomes.
Then explain 2–3 concerns that stakeholders may have about your proposed program evaluation and how you would address those concerns.
Some concerns that stakeholders might have about the proposed program evaluation, a day treatment program for mentally ill adults, are 1. The cost-benefit of the program, 2. The need for that program.
References
Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social Work Evaluation (3rd Edition). Oxford University Press Academic US.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780190916…
Logan, T. K., & Royse, D. (2010). Program evaluation studies. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social
work research methods (2nd ed., pp. 221-240). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF). https://content.waldenu.edu/content/dam/laureate/laureate-academics/wal/ms-socw/socw-6311/artifacts/USW1_SOCW_6311_Week06_programEvaluationStudies.pdf
Colleague 2: Keshia Davis
RE: Discussion – Week 6
1.) Post a brief Summary of the program you selected.
The program/agency that I chose for this discussion would be one I am very familiar with, and worked at for over five years. This program is Tri-Development Center of Aiken County. This agency is recognized across the stat as one of the leaders in provision of services and support to individuals with disabilities. This agency advocates for resources and oppoerunities made available to people with disabilities in the Aiken County area, and in ohter areas of the state. This agency also provides residential and independently living services, work crew teams and day services for consumer, that promotes independence and good work ethics for those consumers whom are higher functioning.
2.) Recommend a program evaluation model that would answer a question relevant to the program.
My recommended evaluation model for this program would be client satisfaction studies. According to the text are crucial when evaluating the implementation of interventions (Dudley, 2020). A client satisfaction interview can be conducted with adults who have dual diagnosis of mental illness or mental retardation (Dudley, 2020). I think this model would be appropriate for the clients at Tri-Development particularly the higher functioning ones, and especially those living in the residential homes and out in the community who receive TDC services. I would ask questions such as Do you like staying in the residential or community homes? Do the staff take care of your needs and listen to your concerns?
3.)Explain the potential benefits of the program evaluation that you proposed (both process and out come).
The results of client satisfaction studies can provide helpful insights and other useful ideas about improving a program of clearing up clients misperceptions of programs, and results can offer several chances for service providers to engage in informal conversations with clients on topics for which they may have unclear views (Dudley, 2020). When I was the residential support manager for one of the residential homes I always met and conversed with my clients and staff to make sure everyone was comfortable interacting with one another or if there were any major concerns within the home that I needed to assist with or make changes to. I think this is very important to do especially working in an residential setting.
Identify 2-3 concerns that stakeholders might have about your proposed evaluation and how you would address those concerns.
Some concerns could be regarding clients not being objective about the individuals providing services for them, and could possibly blame the staff for problems that were their own. I had several situations such as this while working for this agency. Often times you had clients who would blame the staff for everything and vice versa. Therefore Upper management and higher ups would often think some staff were incompetent with working with intellectually disabled clients when issues such as this happen in the agency and residential homes, which could cause problems. I always strived to have a good rapport with my clients and staff. Therefore when issues arouse I would meet with both clients and staff, and sometimes privately just depending on the situation to figure out ways to improve the working relationships, and if it could not be resolved that way, I would seek guidance from upper management regarding the situation. In some cases I would transfer clients or staff to other residential homes day programs if the problems or concerns could not be resolved.
4.) Explain 2-3 concerns stakeholders may have about your proposed program evaluation and how you would address those concerns.
Other concerns regarding client satisfaction could be the client is fearful of disapproval from staff members, and clients may not be knowledgeable or understand certain questions ( Dudley, 2020). Again working in agencies such as this I encountered these type of situations, but I always informed my clients and staff if they ever felt afraid about an issues or person that they should always report it to me or any management personnel they were comfortable with.
References
Dudley, J.R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed). Oxford University Press. Chapter 4, “Common Type of Evaluations” (pp. 78-95).