Assignment Task:
This is a good start. One point to clarify: you mention that the PHQ-A is already part of the TFS intake process, but this isn't explained or linked to any specific program procedure. If the PHQ-A is indeed used at intake within the particular program you're evaluating, be sure to state where this comes from (e.g., agency policy, program manual, existing workflow). If it is not explicitly part of the program's intake process, you'll want to revise that claim so the evaluation plan remains accurate. Need Assignment Help?
Program Evaluation Method (Tides Family Services)
Barbara Marclure
Keiser University
Dr. Kelly
Method
The Program
The Tides Family Services (TFS) EOS program aims to provide home and community-based behavioral health services to children and adolescents aged 6-21 in Rhode Island, with the aim of reducing depressive symptoms while maintaining youth safety at different settings. The services are delivered to schools, homes, and other community settings with 24/7 availability. The program offers individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), 24/7 crisis response, family-centered interventions, school-based support, and PHQ-A screenings (Tides Family Services, 2025). Clients receive at least one planned contact per week and phone support with additional sessions.
Definitions:
The programs target all youth aged 6-21 and must be enrolled in the TFS program between 1st of January and June 30th, 2026, for issues such as depressive symptoms, risk of self-harming, family instability, or related psychosocial concerns. The primary outcome that will be evaluated is clinically meaningful improvement or change in depressive symptoms between intake and six months of participation in the program, measured by a reliable decrease in PHQ-A scores from throughout the six months. Clients are expected to participate in weekly individual sessions, as well as engage in school-based or alternative education support if crucial to their condition.
Design
The evaluation will employ a self-controlled pre-post design, which is appropriate for Tides Family Services, and will involve comparing each youth's PHQ-A score at intake to their score at six months. This design evaluates and allows assessment of individual change in depressive symptoms over time without altering the program's delivery. One limitation of this design is maturation, meaning some of the participants' symptoms might improve naturally over time without treatment, making it hard to determine which improvement is due to TFS services. All enrolled clients during the selected period will be included in the evaluation to provide a complete assessment of program effectiveness.
Reference:
Tides Family Services. (2025). Home.