Devise a strategy for evaluating the effectiveness of any of the three community-level interventions discussed in this chapter.
What will be an ideal response?
Below some information is summarized on options for evaluating program effectiveness:
Purposes of Evaluation: To gather valid and reliable information on program planning, program implementation, program operations, program and practice effectiveness, the efficiency of administrative operations
Types of Evaluation Research
Formative evaluation focuses on program planning, development, and implementation
• Gather data on target populations (census data)
• Collect data to enhance awareness of the functions of existing services
• Determine intervention needs
• Determine staff skill needs
• Assesses program feasibility (including cost/benefit analysis)
• Types of formative research include needs assessments, pretests or program trials, and time reporting systems
• Issues in program monitoring: Is the target population being served? Are the intended services being delivered? Is service quality adequate?
Summative evaluations provide information about program effects
• Evaluability assessment: Can the program be evaluated?
• Assess goal clarity
• Establish linkages between inputs and goals
• Construct a model of causal linkages (inputs, interventions, outcomes)
• Determine which parts of the program to evaluate
• Variables, when used, must be specifiable and include both short-term versus long-term goals
• Variables, when used, must be measurable: Consider multiple indicators of effects
• and use existing indicators when possible
• Sources of data may include program records, clients, staff, significant others, evaluator observations, community data
Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Direct costs: It is difficult to “monetize” abstract goals, concrete goals, and outcomes
• (For example, “improved mental health” is difficult; “reduced domestic violence” is still difficult; “income effects on day care availability” is easier
• Cost-effective analysis compares dollar costs with outcomes; it is most useful in considering competing programs
• Controversies in cost/benefit analysis: Whose costs and whose benefits are taken into account in decision-making? (Clients, funding sources, agency staff, administrators, society as a whole)
• Benefits and costs do not accrue at the same time
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b. advises clients of the type of information they are entitled to know. c. informs clients that services will be terminated if they file a complaint. d. tells clients that they will be referred to another agency if they aredissatisfied with services offered.
Which of the following is accurate regarding faith-based social services?
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a) counseling b) financial aid c) mutual aid or mutual support d) assistance with living
Social work with ______ combines micro and mezzo practices.
A. therapy groups B. families C. couples D. students