Program Evaluation

Question 1

Purpose of Program Evaluation:

Answer 1

• Used to determine the effectiveness of a program.

Question 2

Step 1: Identify the goals of the program

Answer 2

The social worker may speak with the agency Executive Director and/or program staff to identify the goals of the program

Question 3

Step 2: Describe the characteristics of the organization

Answer 3

Describe the types of clients served by the program, the
interventions and practice techniques used by staff, the
organizational structure of the agency and program

These things will help understand how the program services are delivered as well as possible hindrances to goal achievement

Question 4

Step 3: Engage in process evaluation

Answer 4

Process evaluation examines how services are being carried out

Example: If a goal is to respond to client inquiries within 12 hours, you would need to determine ways to find out if staff members are achieving this goal.

Question 5

Step 4: Define outcomes to be measured

Answer 5

Involve key program staff, the Executive Director, and others who were involved in setting the project’s goals

Outcome goals are comprised of data that the agency already keeps track of

Example: Number of client’s served, satisfaction with
services, change in symptoms/diagnoses, number of service hours utilized

Measurable outcomes must be determined to identify whether the projects’ goals are being met.

A baseline of what clients were experiencing before the program was enacted must be established.

Question 6

Step 5: Measure the outcomes of the program

Answer 6

Outcomes can be measured with two types of data: qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative measurements: Information that is not in
numerical form. Ex. Open-ended surveys, unstructured interviews, observations

Quantitative measurements: collecting data involving
numbers that can be statistically manipulated. Ex. Number of clients, Survey with a Likert scale gauging client satisfaction.

Question 7

Step 6: Report and disseminate findings

Answer 7

Findings should be clear and concise and may include suggestions for change/improvement

Positive and negative feedback should both help organizations improve their programs