04 Apr Dudley (2020) points out that social work practice is usually embedded in programs. While you looked at practice evaluation usi
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.
Agency Summary
A community center mental and behavioral health agency in Detroit, Michigan implementing a program involving supervised family visitations. The community center agency has partnered with the courts in the county to implement the visitation program. The families are required to complete 10 supervised visits with their children in the case which may involve divorce battles, custody battles, or abuse & neglect cases. Depending on the financial situation of the family they pay the agency, or the court pays the agency. This program has just recently been implemented, a year to be exact. The community center agency offers the families several therapy rooms that have toys and books in them. There is a room for video games, a kitchen for snacks and hot food, and a balcony space to enjoy the outdoor weather. A social worker or social work intern supervises the visits. Families can’t be alone so there are cameras throughout the community center agency. A security officer is located at the front door, the officer does sign in checks and checks bags to make sure no weapons are brought in. The visits are held twice a week, working around the families’ schedules. Due to the covid-19 Pandemic, four families can be accommodated in the agency at a time. When the social distancing rules go away hopefully the agency can expand how many families they accommodate.
