Social work education cswe, educational policy and accreditation standards epas 9 core competencies and 29 practice behaviors rooted in essential knowledge, values and skills of social. If program evaluation is, theoretically, seen as important, why do so few organizations engage in it. The school of social work offers graduate work leading to the master of social work degree. Second, social programs operate in a socially, economically, and politically dynamic. If program evaluation is, theoretically, seen as important, why do so. By developing a plausible model of how the program is supposed to work, the.
Since social service programs are heavily funded by public resources, the gatekeepers. Evaluation is the system used to assess the worth or merit of a program. Social work practitioners and practice evaluation uncg. What is evaluation back to determining the evaluation question. It is important to note that in this evaluation, the program will only be evaluating a narrow segment of this. Sowk 6347 evaluation of social work practice our lady of. The evaluations contained 99 questions with 5point likert scale responses, with higher scores indicating the program exceeded. How social work practitioners evaluate their practice. Evaluation is a process that critically examines a program. Functions of science and research in social work although some aspects of social work practice are an art, science and research comprise an. Program theory explains why a program is expected to work and a logic model. The national association of social workers nasw code of ethics charges practitioners to monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs. Engaging in evidencebased research to support the viability of any program is acknowledged by funders to be vitally important to address such issues as accountability, credibility and, of course, sustainability. This course is the second of two program evaluation courses, and is designed to be taken concurrently with swks 652.
All human service programs are designed to make a difference in the lives of people or to improve our society. September 17, 2014 by chris ingrao explore the history of social work through this interactive slideshow documenting some of the greatest milestones in the social services profession. The reasons for employing evaluation procedures include meeting. Providing those answers is the work of persons in the program evaluation field. The information helps program staff improve and refine the program early and keep it on track. Program theory and logic models evaluation resources from wilder research.
Client outcomes and costs in human services organizations. Students will examine the evaluation of social work programs with particular attention to dimensions of diversity ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender. By developing a plausible model of how the program is supposed to work, the evaluator can consider social science theories related to the program as well as program resources. As a basis for understanding monitoring and evaluation responsibilities in. Smiths handbook of program evaluation for social work and health professions. If there is no such social work practice assessment, then social workers can reflect on the. Monitoring and evaluating social programs in developing countries. Reid 1997 articulated three major functions for social work practice. A program evaluation can improve staffs frontline practice with participants.
Social scientists engaged in assessments of delinquency prevention programs, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological treatments, public housing programs, educational activities, community organization initiatives, and numerous other initiatives. A study by rubio and subbarao 2001 found that among a sample of social protection projects supported by the world bank in 1999, just over 20 percent had welldeveloped evaluation plans, and. A program evaluation can find out what works and what does not work. Nimh 1976, a working manual of simple program evaluation techniques for community mental. Implementation resource guide for social service programs. The authors wish to acknowledge and thank members of the employee assistance program eap evaluation steering. In 1980 when tom first began teaching a graduate level class in program evaluation, he asked the students to give him their perspective on why there is so much resistance to program evaluation of human service. Evaluation development and use in social work practice sfu. At different points in your program cycle, you may need to use different types of evaluation designs. Evaluation as a tool in the development of social work. One way to do this is for the evaluator and program people to develop a very good description of. Your intended evaluation design should be based on and aligned with the following. The purpose of the evaluation was to measure relevance, effectiveness, and impact of the cdrp program.
An introduction to evidencebased programming this report focuses on factors that lead to the success or failure of an evidencebased. Conversely, key informant and social indicator approaches have. A process and outcome evaluation was conducted using a mixedmethods approach of. By the end of the 1950s, program evaluation was commonplace. Reviews there could have been no better time than now for michael j. The future of program evaluation within the social work profession is also discussed along with various trends. The need to understand what works in current social work practice is vital if we are to understand the effectiveness of social work models of intervention and develop an evidence base that helps raise the quality of social work. In this nuts and bolts handbook, social work and health care professionals are shown how evaluations should be done, taking the intimidation and guesswork out of this essential task. Types of evaluation centers for disease control and. Pdf evaluation of quality in socialwork practice researchgate. Baker, frederick stephens, laurel hitchcock practice evaluation is an important component of evidencebased social work practice. Students will examine the evaluation of social work programs with particular attention to dimensions of diversity ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender including gender identity and gender expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and. The evaluation process described below is designed to give. This entry discusses how four types of program evaluations can be used in social service programs.
This general definition, however, does not take into account descriptive studies, implementation analyses, and formative evaluations. Social work programs core competencies it is the expectation that the student graduating from the bloomsburg. In social services, evaluation is primarily guided via the framework of decisionmaking, but also includes the aspects of costeffectiveness and costbenefit analysis. Evaluation is crucial for determining the effectiveness of social programs and interventions. In sowk 6347, you will gain a foundation in evaluation. Handbook of program evaluation for social work and health. As standards of social work practice and the increased recognition of. Social justiceoriented evaluation seeks to increase understanding of the interdependency of individual, community, and society using a more judicious democratic process. Context evaluation input evaluation process evaluation product evaluation these components are or can be viewed as separate forms of evaluation, but they can also be viewed as steps or stages in a comprehensive evaluation. A good program evaluation should test some part of your theory of change. Code of ethics of the national association of social workers.
We present here a participatory model of evaluation that responds to the distinct challenges. Foundations of evidencebased programs 6th edition grinnell, richard m. Evaluation research is a means of supplying valid and reliable evidence regarding the operation of social. The evaluation process described below is designed to give you good information on your program and what it is doing for students, clients, the community and society. It is important to note that in this evaluation, the program will only be evaluating a narrow segment of this theory of change. The report preparation was assisted by jennifer jones, atlantic evaluation group. Challenges for evaluating effectiveness in social work.
Its purpose is to make judgments about a program, to improve its effectiveness, andor to inform programming decisions patton, 1987. Exploratory evaluation study designs can help you at the beginning of your program to. Toolkit december 2018 formative evaluation toolkit. Foundations of evidencebased programs grinnell, richard m. Anna haleylock, society for social work and research nancy hooyman, american academy of social work and social welfare dwight hymans, association of social work boards jennifer henkel, association of social work boards peter maramaldi, group for the advancement of doctoral education julie rhoads, committee chair, council on social work education. Context evaluation input evaluation process evaluation product evaluation these components are or. Formative evaluation ensures that a program or program activity is feasible, appropriate, and acceptable before it is fully implemented. Collect information about the types of program evaluation that are currently being used. Engaging in evidencebased research to support the viability of any program is acknowledged by funders to be vitally important to address.
The evaluations contained 99 questions with 5point likert scale responses, with higher scores indicating the program exceeded their expectations of preparation, capturing a variety of aspects of the social work program and the field experience. A program evaluation can showcase the effectiveness of a program to the community and to funders. An overview of program evaluation chapter outline what is program evaluation. The evaluation theory and practices programme is the most strategic one.
It involves collecting and analyzing information about a programs activities, characteristics, and outcomes. In this second course, basedon the program evaluation proposal developed in swks 624a, students will carry out the evaluation plan. A brief history of evaluation evaluation research as a social science activity the boom period in evaluation research social policy and public administration movements development of policy and public administration specialists. The first section, preamble, summarizes the social work professions mission and core values. Your programs logic model can serve as a framework for your evaluation plan by helping you make informed. Demonstrate sensitivity for ethical and cultural issues in designing, implementing and use of social work research, including research with hispanic children and families. Evaluation can identify ways to improve the quality of the program, structure it more effectively, and make it more responsive to the needs of its users.
How social work practitioners evaluate their practice sophia st. A bet tersuited definition would incorporate the information processing and feedback role of evaluation. Effective program evaluation is a carefully planned and systematic approach to documenting the nature and results of program implementation. The evaluation assessment phase identifies the main issues and. Your intended evaluation design should be based on and. Conceptualize, design and deliver both a practice evaluation and a program evaluation. Discuss the result of agency survey program evaluation data and form evaluation groups. Program evaluation is important not only because it informs decision makers about whether the program is successful, but also because it is a major tool for learning. As standards of social work practice and the increased recognition of the field of social work in the mental health profession continue to gain. It is a practical, nonprescriptive tool, designed to.
Evaluation of social work practice is a fundamental aspect of providing social care and delivering services to society members. The council on social work education was formed in 1952. Lyn romeo, chief social worker adults, page 3 of the report. Evaluation of social work practice is a fundamental aspect of providing social care and. Code of ethics of the national association of social workers overview the nasw code of ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers. Effective program evaluation is a systematic way to improve and account for public health actions by involving procedures that are useful, feasible, ethical, and accurate.
You can think of evaluation designs in three main categories. Over thirtyfive years ago there was recognition of the need for good program evaluation and good outcome evaluation for human service programs. Your programs theory of change and logic model primary purpose of the evaluation and key research. Evaluation design is the structure that provides the information needed to answer each of your evaluation questions. Rick csiernik, professor of social work at the university of western ontario special advisor on best practices in eap programs in canada.
Social work intervention was developed using the evaluation results, as reflected against the context and programme theory. There are several types of evaluations that can be conducted. This resource guide discusses program theory and logic models. The national association of social workers was created in 1955 to further the professional status of social work. In addition, students will explore the role of evaluators, funders, program. Previous research in this area has concluded that even though social workers receive evaluation training, it remains underutilized in. The framework for evaluation in public health 1 guides public health professionals in their use of program evaluation. Percentages are of those who entered positions as social workers, including positions not requiring a social work degree or license. In this second course, basedon the program evaluation proposal developed in swks. Social work education cswe, educational policy and accreditation standards epas 9 core competencies and 29 practice behaviors rooted in essential knowledge, values and skills of social work practice cswe, 2015, pp. Evaluation of efficiency in social work practice and supervision.
128 1407 738 774 39 1204 193 1387 319 741 79 981 1440 727 361 1206 1092 1474 1420 929 1084 958 31 686 1134 1330 473 985 1092 434 1098 1117 847 171 737 617 539 1407 1457 1326 1288 279 449 1379 744 489 1495 445 301