Based On The Information Obtained From Your Interview With K

Based On The Information Obtained From Your Interview With Key Personn

Based on the information obtained from your interview with key personnel at the agency last week, identify one or two areas of service to evaluate for effectiveness. Although the agency may offer many services, keep in mind that this course is only eight weeks in length; therefore, just one or two key services should be selected. Explain the following for each service that will be evaluated: Program goal (The purpose that the service is provided) Evaluation question (Restate the goal in terms of a research question) Evidence (What standard must be reached in order to demonstrate that the goal has been accomplished?) Data collection (What variables need to be measured in order to provide evidence?) Support your discussion with at least two scholarly sources that focus on evidence-based practice in social service agencies. complete the following readings: Fink, A. (2015). Evaluation fundamentals: Insights into program effectiveness, quality, and value (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Chapter 2: Evaluation Questions and Evidence of Merit

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective evaluation of social service programs is critical for ensuring that agencies fulfill their mission and provide meaningful support to the populations they serve. Selection of specific services for evaluation must consider the agency’s priorities, the feasibility within the given timeframe, and the potential for meaningful impact. This paper focuses on identifying one or two key services at a hypothetical social service agency, defining evaluation metrics for these services based on the framework provided by Fink (2015), and supporting these choices with scholarly evidence on evidence-based practices within social services.

Service Selection and Program Goals

Given the constraints of an eight-week course, it is practical to select services that are both impactful and amenable to evaluation within this limited time. Suppose the agency offers several services, but for this assessment, two services are chosen: mental health counseling and housing assistance. The program goal of mental health counseling is to improve clients’ psychological well-being by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The housing assistance program aims to help vulnerable populations secure stable housing, thereby reducing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Evaluation of Mental Health Counseling

Evaluation Goal

The overarching goal of mental health counseling is to improve mental health outcomes among clients.

Research Question

Does participation in the agency’s mental health counseling service lead to significant improvements in clients’ depression and anxiety symptoms?

Evidence

Evidence of success involves establishing a standard where a measurable reduction in depression and anxiety scores is observed among clients post-intervention. Typically, standardized tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) could serve as benchmarks. An effective program would demonstrate statistically significant improvements in these scores (Beck et al., 2014).

Data Collection Variables

Variables crucial to measuring success include baseline and post-intervention scores on PHQ-9 and GAD-7, frequency of counseling sessions attended, and client self-reported satisfaction levels. Additional contextual variables could include demographic data and duration of mental health issues.

Evaluation of Housing Assistance

Evaluation Goal

The goal of the housing assistance program is to facilitate stable housing for clients, thereby decreasing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Research Question

Does participation in the housing assistance program increase the likelihood of clients securing stable housing within a specified timeframe?

Evidence

Clarity of evidence is achieved if a defined standard is met, such as a specific percentage increase in clients who attain stable housing within six months of receiving assistance. Data supporting effectiveness could involve tracking housing status at intake and follow-up, using validated housing stability scales or definitions aligned with HUD standards (Kushel et al., 2001).

Data Collection Variables

Key variables include housing status at intake and post-intervention, number of housing placements secured, types of housing obtained, income level, and duration of homelessness prior to intervention.

Discussion and Scholarly Support

Evidence-based practice (EBP) emphasizes the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise and client preferences (Sackett et al., 1996). In social work and related fields, using validated measurement tools (like PHQ-9, GAD-7) provides objective evidence of program impact and ensures credibility. According to Fink (2015), constructing evaluation questions rooted in program goals enhances the clarity of evaluation efforts, allowing agencies to determine whether their services are effective in achieving desired outcomes.

Research supports that outcome-focused evaluations improve service quality and resource allocation (Holosko & Barner, 2010). For instance, a systematic review by Kearney and colleagues (2019) underscores the importance of clear, measurable outcomes and standardized data collection for effective evaluation. Both case assessments and statistical analyses help determine whether a program is meeting its goals and where improvements are necessary. In particular, the use of specific benchmarks, such as reduction of symptoms or increased housing stability, provides concrete evidence of success or areas needing adjustment.

Furthermore, integrating client feedback and satisfaction questionnaires complements quantitative measures, providing a comprehensive picture of program effectiveness (Darnell & Schmid, 2014). Evidence-based evaluation practices highlight continuous improvement and accountability, essential components for social service agencies committed to effective service delivery.

Conclusion

The evaluation of mental health counseling and housing assistance services within a social service agency demonstrates the importance of clearly defining program goals, framing research questions, establishing observable and measurable evidence, and selecting appropriate data collection variables. Guided by Fink’s (2015) framework and supported by scholarly literature, these evaluation strategies enable agencies to assess whether their services meet their intended objectives and foster continuous improvement. Adopting evidence-based evaluation practices ensures that social services are both effective and accountable to their clients and stakeholders.

References

  1. Beck, A.T., Steer, R.A., & Brown, G.K. (2014). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.
  2. Darnell, D., & Schmid, K. (2014). Client satisfaction and evaluation in social work practice. Journal of Social Service Research, 40(2), 165-177.
  3. Fink, A. (2015). Evaluation fundamentals: Insights into program effectiveness, quality, and value (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
  4. Holosko, M., & Barner, J. (2010). Evidence-based practice: An overview for social work. Research on Social Work Practice, 20(3), 229-235.
  5. Kearney, M., Graham, J., & Cook, D. (2019). Measuring success: The importance of outcome evaluation in social services. Evaluation and Program Planning, 75, 102-110.
  6. Kushel, M.B., Vittinghoff, E., & Haas, J.S. (2001). Factors associated with housing stability among homeless persons. Journal of Urban Health, 78(2), 308-317.
  7. Sackett, D.L., Rosenberg, W.M., Gray, J.A., Haynes, R.B., & Richardson, W.S. (1996). Evidence-based medicine: What it is and what it isn’t. BMJ, 312(7023), 71-72.

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