Discussion Post: Program Evaluation: Benefits and Concerns of Stakeholders
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).
Provide Responses to Original Discussion Postsby doing all of the following:
1) Identify the stage or stages of the program to which your colleague's selected question relates.
2) Suggest an additional question or concern that stakeholders may have about program evaluation.
3) Recommend an alternative model for the evaluation.
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.