Evaluation Of A Program Evaluation

Program planning is a process to achieve a particular goal and/or mission. Program planning is an organized process through which a set of coordinated activities or interventions is developed to address and facilitate change in some or all of the identified problems. Program evaluation provides useful information for improving the programs and the service delivery systems. Program evaluation is to improve the program planning, effectiveness, design, and efficiency. The two are different processes, but ideally they hold the same goals and/or mission. The evaluation process takes place after the planning of a

First, would look at my measurement method to make sure that it is reliable and valid. Making sure that the measurements are representing the people and the program accurately, enough sample size is use to represent the program, and make sure there is no participants contamination. Second, the time from when the program started and when the evaluation process starts can also show that the program have no impact. It takes a long time for programs to work out the kink and bumps along the way and sometimes having an evaluation conducted within a year will not show the program at its full potential. There is also the sleeper effect where the program will not show impact until a much later time. Having an open and clear communication with the stakeholders will let me know what they are looking in the program evaluation so that I can focus on those aspects to make sure I use accurate

Clegg and Smart (2010) noted that the term outcome measurement process is often interchangeable with achievement, goal, objective and indicator. Furthermore, Clegg and Smart (2010) went on to identify these terms, goals, outcomes present as essential elements to assist in identification of relevant data for program evaluation. Definitions of terms recognizes that goals are a broad statement of the ultimate aims of the program, outcomes are the changes in the lives of recipients, organization communities and those impacted by the program, and indicators indentifies specific, measurable information that can be collected or tracked to show that outcomes have occurred (Clegg & Smart, 2010).

Utilizing the CDC’s framework for evaluation will allow the program design to be tailored for implementation.

To help program directors meet these challenges, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families developed a series of evaluations that explain program evaluation-where the teacher evaluates each child that enters into the Head Start. Good program evaluations help to improve program operations, measure program performance and effects and document important lessons for other programs. With this information, program managers are better able to direct limited resources to where they are most needed and most effective.

In order to implement a program evaluation to determine client gains, there will be a team consisting of myself as the lead consultant, 3-4 program evaluation support staff members who will assist in the evaluation process and one staff member from the center being included to provide relevant center information. Key staff from the center will be asked to form an advisory group where all evaluation measures, outcomes and processes will be discussed, approved and presented.

Health promotion program evaluation is a process of judging the worth of the activity or the program. The evaluation process could be influenced by many factors. These factors as undefined program goals and outcome measures or objectives, lack of the program plan or logical model, lack of accurate documentation, the interest and concerns of the program’s stakeholders, the program complexity, the available resources for evaluation, method of measuring, etc. (Public Health Ontario, 2016)

The outcome evaluation process consists of a six stage model. The first stage is to build agency commitment and to clarify expectations. The second stage is to build agency capacity to measure the outcomes. The third stage is to identify the outcomes, indicators, and data collection methods. The fourth stage is to collect and analyze the outcome data. The fifth stage consists of improving the outcome measurement system. The sixth and final stage consists of using and communicating the outcome information.

Program Evaluation   There are many different types of evaluations and reasons to conduct program evaluations. For example, cost/benefit analysis, assessment needs, effectiveness, and outcomes. Program evaluations is a complex but an integral component of a nursing program. Also, program evaluations is an ongoing process of collecting and describing data which provides the basis for decision making. Specifically, evaluation data can be used to prepare for accreditation visits, develop faculty and staff, examine the planned and actual

Process evaluation is used to determine if the program activities have been implemented as intended. Outcome evaluation is used to measure effects of a program in the target population by estimating the progress in the outcome objectives that the program is to achieve (CDC, n.d.).

While several aspects of the program can be evaluated, given the newness of the program, many outcome shave not been evaluated. Additionally, some outcomes have yet to actually occur. Nonetheless,

A process evaluation is a tool utilized to identify the key components of intervention that are effective and under what conditions. Additionally it also evaluates the extent to which a program is being implemented as planned. A process evaluation can be broken down into six steps which are depicted in the diagram below. In order to engage stake holders the process must begin at the evaluation cycle. Stakeholders in regards to our program include those who are directly involved with program operations. This includes the staff utilized to procure supplies and equipment, those involved in the delivery of supplies equipment, those who distribute educational materials, those that perform diabetic testing and those that interact with the target

3. The third key point that I took away from the evaluation was the importance of developing a performance evaluation system. The evaluation system is a key component that assists to “assess both short-term and long-term outcomes for participants in the program, including educational and social outcomes” (Bania et al., 2014, p. 5). I learned that when the system is implemented effectively, it ensures accountability and promotes growth.

Purpose of the evaluation: What aspect of the program would you assess? How does this complement the larger group evaluation? (5 points)

In the words of Bryan Rayner, “We always have to be on our toes and be alert and ready,”(n.d). Since Utilization-focused evaluation does not operate under textbook conditions but can be complex the evaluator has an obligation to make changes when necessary. Change can mean stepping out of your comfort zone and into the discomfort of uncertainty. But an evaluator goal and mission is to provide accurate and credible findings. If goals and intended outcome of Utilization-focused evaluation is the focus then the evaluators and primary intended users will determine those goals to be evaluated. But not all goals-based evaluation will be useful for every program. Some programs merit formative and summative evaluation, but others seek alternatives