SOCW Wk 10 Discussion: Assessing Outcomes — How Do You Deter
Socw Wk 10 Discussion Assessing Outcomeshow Do You Determine The Suc
Socw Wk 10 Discussion: Assessing Outcomes How do you determine the “success” of a human services program? Part of your role as an administrator is to collaborate with your staff to determine how a particular program’s effectiveness will be measured. The outcomes must be clear, realistic, and feasible, and how the outcomes will be assessed must be clear also. For this Discussion, you will address the “Social Work Research: Program Evaluation” case study in Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year. Assume the role of an administrator in the case study to evaluate what has occurred in the program and how you might improve it.
Paper For Above instruction
Evaluating the success of a human services program, such as CALWORKS, requires a comprehensive understanding of its objectives, outcomes, and impact on participants. As an administrator assessing the program based on the presented case study from Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year, it is crucial to first define what success entails within the specific context of CALWORKS. Success, in this case, can be conceptualized as the program effectively supporting participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency, increasing employment rates, and improving overall well-being, while maintaining participant satisfaction and program sustainability.
The core goals of CALWORKS involve helping recipients secure stable employment, reducing dependency on welfare, and fostering self-sufficiency (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). To evaluate whether these goals are met, a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures is necessary. Quantitative data, such as employment rates, income levels, and participation retention, provide tangible benchmarks to assess tangible outcomes (Furman & Swain, 2019). Qualitative measures, including participant satisfaction and perceived improvements in quality of life, offer insights into the program's holistic impact.
In the case study, the initial assessment reveals that although many participants have obtained employment, sustaining these positions remains challenging. Additionally, some recipients report feeling overwhelmed by the program requirements, which influences their engagement and success rates. Based on these findings, success can be measured by not only employment acquisition but also by employment retention over a specified period, improvements in income, and participants' perceived competence and confidence in managing their lives independently.
As an administrator, to evaluate whether success has been achieved, I would establish clear, measurable objectives aligned with program goals. These could include increasing the employment retention rate by a certain percentage within six months, tracking income stability, and conducting surveys to gauge participant satisfaction. Data collection would involve regular monitoring of these metrics and ongoing feedback from staff and participants. Additionally, comparing pre- and post-program assessments can provide insights into the program's overall effectiveness.
To improve CALWORKS' effectiveness, I recommend integrating targeted supportive services such as job coaching, mental health support, and child-care assistance, which address barriers to sustained employment noted in the case study (Bassett et al., 2013). These enhancements could help participants overcome challenges that impede their ability to retain employment and achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Continuous program evaluation, based on predefined outcomes and participant feedback, will facilitate adjustments that increase the program’s overall impact.
In conclusion, success for CALWORKS involves more than immediate employment; it encompasses sustained self-sufficiency, improved quality of life, and participant satisfaction. As an administrator, selecting appropriate measures and continuously monitoring outcomes enables the program to evolve and better serve its participants.
References
Bassett, R. M., Fitzpatrick, K. M., LaGory, M., & Kelling, B. (2013). The impact of social support and program participation on employment retention among welfare recipients. Journal of Social Service Research, 39(3), 319–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2013.776644
Furman, R., & Swain, J. (2019). Program evaluation in social work practice. Social Work, 64(1), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swz022
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Welfare-to-work: Program goals and evaluation. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/