Consider This Scenario: You Are Head Of A Planning Team
Consider This Scenario You Are Head Of A Planning Team That Has Been
Consider this scenario. You are head of a planning team that has been asked to create a new drug treatment program. You ask your team to write a goal statement for the program. The following goal statements have been proposed: The goal of this drug treatment program is to serve clients’ needs and to educate clients about the harm that drugs cause. The goal of this drug treatment program is to assist our clients in reducing drug dependency and eventually ending it toward living drug-free lives.
Which goal statement do you think is more appropriate? Explain why you think the statement is suitable. Also provide an explanation as to why the other statement is not suitable. Do the four components mentioned in the book—a time frame, the targeted population, the anticipated result, and a criterion—suffice to create an objective statement? Why?
Consider the following objective statement for checking recidivism to crime: “The program will prevent inmates from committing crime, as measured by arrest or revocation of parole, for at least three years after they have been released back into the community.†In the objective statement example above, consider that some new components are to be included toward creating a more appropriate objective statement. Recommend at least two additional components that can be included to create an objective statement and provide a rationale for your recommendations.
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In designing effective programs, formulating precise mission and goal statements is crucial to guide implementation and evaluation. In the context of developing a new drug treatment program, selecting an appropriate goal statement hinges on clarity, specificity, and alignment with targeted outcomes. Comparing the two proposed goal statements, the second—“The goal of this drug treatment program is to assist our clients in reducing drug dependency and eventually ending it toward living drug-free lives”—is more appropriate due to its clarity and focus on tangible outcomes. The first statement, “to serve clients’ needs and to educate clients about the harm that drugs cause,” while important, is broader and more educational than outcome-oriented, making it less effective as a program goal intending to measure success.
A well-crafted goal statement should include key components such as a time frame, the targeted population, the anticipated result, and an explicit criterion. These components provide a concrete foundation for operational objectives and enable evaluation. For instance, a good goal might specify, “Within 12 months, 70% of enrolled clients will demonstrate a reduction in drug use, measured through self-reports and drug screenings.” Such specificity ensures clarity of purpose and measurement.
Turning to the example of evaluating recidivism prevention, the original objective, “The program will prevent inmates from committing crime, as measured by arrest or revocation of parole, for at least three years after they have been released back into the community,” sets a clear timeline and a measurable criterion. However, to enhance this objective, additional components such as a specific baseline level of recidivism and description of intervention activities could be included. For example, “The program will reduce recidivism rates among participating inmates by 25% within two years post-release, as measured by arrest records and parole revocations, through targeted rehabilitation and support services.” Incorporating a baseline or target percentage offers a clearer benchmark for success, and detailing intervention strategies aligns efforts with desired outcomes.
Including these additional components—namely, a baseline measurement and a detailed description of intervention activities—strengthens the goal’s clarity and evaluability. Establishing a baseline allows for measuring progress against the initial state, and specifying intervention strategies guides program implementation and accountability. Overall, comprehensive goal and objective statements must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) for effective planning and evaluation in public health initiatives.
References
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