Module 04 Flashcards
Chapter 12 and 13
What is a process evaluation?
A process evaluation examines how a program operates and delivers its services to clients.
When should process evaluations occur?
Process evaluations should occur before or at the same time as outcome evaluations.
What are the two major categories of program processes?
- Client service delivery system
- Administrative support systems
What is the primary aim of a process evaluation?
To monitor a program’s services and assess client satisfaction.
True or False: Process evaluations focus solely on program outcomes.
False
What are the three main purposes of conducting a process evaluation?
- Improving a program’s operations
- Generating knowledge
- Estimating cost-efficiency
How can process evaluations improve program operations?
By fine-tuning the services delivered to clients and ensuring administrative support is effective.
What does generating knowledge through process evaluations typically inform?
Decisions about the further development of the program’s services.
What are the eight questions that can focus a process evaluation?
- What is the program’s background?
- What is the program’s client profile?
- What is the program’s staff profile?
- What is the amount of service provided to clients?
- What are the program’s interventions and activities?
- What administrative supports are in place?
- How satisfied are the program’s stakeholders?
- How efficient is the program?
Fill in the blank: Process evaluations are sometimes referred to as ______.
[formative evaluations]
What is a common challenge in describing program processes?
Achieving a level of precision in using consistent language across different disciplines.
What does monitoring interventions and activities imply?
That there are labels and definitions for what is done with clients, which increases communication.
What is meant by the term ‘black box’ in relation to client service delivery?
It reflects the notion that clients enter and exit a program with no clear understanding of the processes involved.
What is the significance of a program’s client profile?
It informs how the processes within the program are operationalized and monitored.
What type of data is important to gather in a client profile?
- Age
- Gender
- Income
- Education
- Race
- Socioeconomic status
What can the program’s history reveal?
Critical insights into its day-to-day operations and the political and social context it operates within.
What role does stakeholder satisfaction play in a process evaluation?
It helps assess the effectiveness and reception of the program’s services.
What is the significance of worker qualifications in a program?
Monitoring worker qualifications helps establish minimum-level qualifications for job advertisements and provides insight into the effectiveness of service delivery.
How do educational backgrounds influence program approaches?
Different educational backgrounds can lead to varying philosophical approaches in programs addressing the same social issue, such as teenage pregnancy.
What sociodemographic data is typically used to describe workers?
Age, gender, and marital status are commonly used sociodemographic features.
In what ways can worker time be categorized?
Worker time can be divided into face-to-face contact, telephone contact, report writing, advocacy, supervision, and consultation.
What is the importance of tracking service intensity?
Tracking service intensity helps determine how much time is spent on various client interactions and can guide program decisions.
True or False: Programs always have clear-cut intake and termination dates.
False
What is a process evaluation?
A process evaluation assesses whether actual services delivered match the original design and logic model of a program.
What are administrative supports in a program?
Administrative supports include fixed conditions of employment and operations designed to assist workers in delivering client services.
What factors can affect worker effectiveness in a program?
Worker pay, caseloads, availability of support staff, and working conditions can significantly impact effectiveness.
Fill in the blank: The primary objective of a literacy program visit is to _______.
[increase literacy skills of children]
What are the two main objectives of the Rural Family Literacy Program?
- To increase literacy skills of children
- To increase parents’ abilities to assist their children in developing literacy skills
What is the role of stakeholder satisfaction in process evaluation?
Stakeholder satisfaction assesses how well the program meets the needs and expectations of those involved.
What can be inferred from a program’s efficiency?
Efficiency reflects the amount of resources expended versus the achievement of program objectives.
How can data from home visits influence program decisions?
Data can provide insights into the effectiveness of interventions and help adjust strategies to enhance client engagement.
What is one example of how administrative decisions can change service delivery?
Switching from group care settings to providing interventions in less intrusive environments, like clients’ homes.
True or False: Individual client success rates should be used to evaluate social workers.
False
What data collection method was used by workers in the Rural Family Literacy Program?
Workers completed a Daily Family Visit Log to monitor fidelity and effectiveness of their visits.
What impacts can high caseloads have on social workers?
High caseloads can lead to decreased effectiveness in responding to clients’ needs.
What key aspect must be monitored to assess program fidelity?
The actual services delivered must align with the original program design and objectives.
What is the purpose of stakeholder satisfaction in program evaluation?
Stakeholder satisfaction assesses the programs services from the stakeholders’ perspective.
It is crucial for understanding how well the program meets the needs of its clients.
What is a common method for collecting client satisfaction data?
Client satisfaction surveys conducted at program termination.
These surveys can provide valuable insights into client experiences and perceptions.
True or False: Client satisfaction data is relevant to outcome evaluations.
False.
Client satisfaction is specifically relevant to process evaluations.
What are the four issues to address when developing data-collection instruments for process evaluation?
- Easy to use
- Flow with a program’s operations
- Designed with user input
- Comprehensive data-collection system
These criteria ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of data collection.
Fill in the blank: Data-collection instruments for process evaluation should be _______.
easy to use.
Why is it important for data-collection instruments to flow with a program’s operations?
They need to fit within the context of the program and provide useful data for improving client service delivery.
This alignment ensures that data collection does not disrupt the program’s workflow.
What should be included in a client intake form?
- Client characteristics
- Reasons for referral
- Service history
This information is essential for both case-level and program-level evaluations.
What is the role of user input in developing data-collection instruments?
User input, especially from line-level workers, ensures the relevance and accuracy of the data collected.
Workers are more likely to record accurate data if they see the relevance of the instruments.
What are the three considerations for developing a data-collection system for process evaluation?
- Determining the number of cases to include
- Determining times to collect data
- Selecting a data-collection method
These considerations help in structuring the evaluation process effectively.
How can a program ensure random sampling for client satisfaction surveys?
By randomly selecting clients to participate as close to the intake meeting as possible.
This method helps in generalizing results to all clients within the program.
What is a potential issue with lengthy client intake forms?
They may become overly detailed and burdensome for both clients and workers.
Short and long forms can be developed to balance the depth of data collected.
What is meant by ‘case-level interventions’ in the context of data collection?
Specific actions taken by workers to address individual client needs.
These interventions can be tracked to assess client progress.
What are some examples of data that might be collected at different times during the evaluation process?
- Basic client demographics at intake
- Sensitive information after rapport is established
Collecting data at appropriate times can improve the quality of the information gathered.
Why is it important to monitor process data for reliability and validity?
To ensure that the data collected accurately reflects the program’s operations and client experiences.
Poor data quality can lead to incorrect conclusions about program effectiveness.
Fill in the blank: Data collection should balance _______ and _______.
breadth; depth.
What type of data should be collected from all clients for case-level evaluations?
Intake forms and assessment data.
These forms are critical for planning client treatment interventions.
What is the primary purpose of recording workers’ activities?
To document and evaluate worker-client interactions and interventions
This process is often time-consuming and may raise questions about the reliability of self-reported data.
What are some fixed client characteristics that can be recorded?
- Race
- Gender
- Service history
- Problem history
Why might the reliability of data collected by workers be questioned?
Because the data is often self-reported by the workers themselves.
What is a recommended practice for supervisors regarding worker-client interactions?
Supervisors should observe worker-client interactions to assess the reliability of self-reports.
What is interrater reliability?
The extent of agreement between the workers’ perceptions and the supervisors’ perceptions of worker-client interactions.
What issue can arise when workers administer client satisfaction questionnaires?
Social desirability bias, leading to less honest ratings from clients.
What should be done to ensure client responses to satisfaction questions are confidential?
Clients should be informed that their responses are confidential and will be pooled with others’ responses.
What is the importance of summarizing process evaluation data?
To ensure that the conclusions drawn from the evaluation are directly based on the gathered data.
What can happen if data is collected inconsistently?
It will be difficult to summarize and may produce inaccurate information.
What is one potential outcome of a backlog in data summarization?
It may indicate that too much data is being collected.
How does the timing of data recording impact the evaluation process?
Initial diligence may wane, leading to incomplete data that misrepresents the program’s effectiveness.
What key questions can be asked regarding outcome data collected?
- Is the time spent with a family related to success?
- What interventions are associated with successful outcomes?
Why is it important to communicate findings from process evaluations?
To ensure results are used for program improvement and to foster discussions among workers.
What is a program audit sheet?
A tool that lists all necessary data to be recorded for each client.
What should be included in program development meetings following a process evaluation?
Data summaries and discussions on individual worker feedback.
What is the black box in the context of program evaluations?
The unknown aspects of how workers function on a day-to-day basis.
Fill in the blank: The final step in a process evaluation is the _______.
[dissemination and communication of findings]
What components should a process evaluation consider?
- Preparation
- Intake
- Screening
- Assessment
- Termination
- Follow-up
What type of data can process evaluations provide regarding interventions?
Clues about which interventions work with specific client problems.
True or False: Process evaluations only focus on client outcomes.
False. They also focus on the inner workings of a program.
What is the role of program administrators in process evaluations?
To review client records and ensure necessary data is captured.
What should be done if clients are hesitant to provide honest feedback?
Use a neutral person to administer satisfaction questionnaires.
What is the significance of using visual data in evaluations?
It provides a forum for discussion and helps illustrate program effectiveness.
What should be tracked to assess client participation in counseling sessions?
Attendance and quality of participation.
What documents are typically involved in the intake process?
- Screening Form
- Intake Form
- Social History
- Data Entry Forms
What is the purpose of the Individual Rehabilitation Plan (IRP)?
To assist clients in developing a plan to meet individual and program objectives.
What is the purpose of process evaluations?
To improve services to clients
Process evaluations focus on collecting data to make informed decisions regarding program operations.
What must program staff decide when designing a process evaluation?
They must decide on the following:
* Questions to ask
* Data collection methods
* Responsibilities for monitoring data
* Data analysis methods
* Dissemination of results
These decisions are crucial for effective evaluation of program processes.
What does IRP stand for?
Individual Rehabilitation Plan
An IRP outlines the goals and objectives for an individual in a rehabilitation program.
What is the first step for a client seeking job placement?
Client meets with a job placement counselor
This meeting is to identify available job slots that fit with the client’s training.
What document is used for job placement referrals?
Job Placement Referral Form
This form is essential for tracking job placement efforts.
What is the objective of the IRP that clients must achieve?
Clients must demonstrate readiness to function independently in the community
This involves planning for termination from programs like Safe Haven.
What is involved in the follow-up process after a client achieves their IRP objective?
Case manager makes telephone contacts at agreed-on times
Follow-up is critical for ensuring continued support and assessment.
What happens during the exit phase for a client?
Follow-up contacts end by mutual agreement
This indicates a formal closure of the case.
What forms are used during the client termination process?
The following forms are used:
* Victims to Victors Termination Form
* Safe Haven Termination Form
* Data Entry Form
These forms help document the termination process and client outcomes.
Fill in the blank: Data is collected on many program dimensions to make _______ decisions about a program’s operations.
informed
Informed decisions are based on accurate and relevant data collected through evaluations.