I need help with this assignment. The questions relate to the case study below.
-Develop one process evaluation measure and one outcome evaluation measure that you would suggest to display the program's effectiveness and efficiency.
-What are the scope and purpose of your process evaluation measure and outcome evaluation measure and how did they influence your design?
-What issues and challenges may arise from evaluating the Greenby Community Mental Health Center?
-Explain why an evaluation may be helpful to the Consultation and Education Department director's situation.
Case 10. Evaluating the Consultation and Education Department
At the Greenby Community Mental Health Center, the Consultation and Education Department was about to go under. Although consultation and education are required for all community mental health centers, not all centers have fully staffed and active departments. Instead, they implement consultation and education as a percentage of each professional’s work. That was what Henry McDonald, the executive director, was suggesting for Greenby.
“You have to understand my position,” he exclaimed to a distraught consultation and education director. “Our funding has been cut back. We’re more dependent than ever on fees for service and third-party payments. Consultation and education are luxuries we really can’t afford. They don’t bring in the funds we need, and we’ve got to put our resources into programs that carry their weight.”
“But you know that C and E programs are a high priority. Every center has to have one to keep up its funding,” Andy Cutler replied.
“Andy, let’s not play games here. You know we don’t have to have a C and E department with a full-time director. We only have to provide the service. The real issue is whether your program stays in operation the way it is now, and I’m saying it can’t. Now, stop worrying. Your job isn’t in jeopardy. You’ll be able to move over to the clinical program.”
“Henry, believe it or not, it’s not my own job that I’m concerned about. No matter what kind of measurement you use, you have to see that the C and E department does pull its weight. We’ve developed liaisons with every major employer in the area, we’ve got preventive programs going in the schools, and our divorce and family workshops are attracting more people every time we put them on. Word is getting around in the community.”
“Sure, the workshops attract people. At five dollars a head, why shouldn’t they? The program is self-supporting, I’ll grant you that, but it’s not pulling in enough capital to pull its weight with the center as a whole. There’s no way it can.”
“But what you’re not recognizing, Henry, is that this program is supporting the other programs. You’ve had an increase in the number of people referring themselves for alcohol and drug abuse programs. I’m telling you that this is because of the preventive programs we’ve been doing at the factory. You’ve had an increase in self-referrals for family therapy. I think they’re coming from our workshops. The programs we offer help people recognize their problems, and when they recognize them, they start to come in for more help.”
“That’s very possible, Andy. But I’ve got a board of directors to deal with, and I don’t know whether they’re going to buy that line of reasoning. They’re not professionals, you know, and they don’t necessarily see those relationships that way. What they can see is the difference between what a person pays to participate in a workshop and what the same person would pay for one of the other programs. It’s a good thought to say that you’re feeding into the other services, but we don’t really know that. We don’t really know anything about the impact you’re having. Give me something I can tell the board. Give me something I can tell the state. Just give me something.”
How would you like us to help you?
Can you tell me a process and outcome evaluation measure that would be beneficial for this case?
To develop process and outcome evaluation measures for the Consultation and Education Department at the Greenby Community Mental Health Center, you should consider the following steps:
1. Process evaluation measure:
Process evaluation measures assess how well the program is implemented and delivered. A suggested measure for the Consultation and Education Department could be the number of community partnerships or collaborations established by the department. This could include liaisons with major employers, schools, or other organizations in the community.
To calculate this measure, you can:
- Keep track of the number of partnerships formed by the department.
- Monitor the level of engagement and collaboration with each partner.
- Assess the effectiveness of each partnership in achieving the department's goals.
2. Outcome evaluation measure:
Outcome evaluation measures measure the changes or impacts brought about by the program. For the Consultation and Education Department, a suggested measure could be the increase in self-referrals for alcohol and drug abuse programs and family therapy sessions.
To calculate this measure, you can:
- Collect data on the number of self-referrals specifically mentioning the department's programs as the reason for seeking additional help.
- Track the change in self-referrals over time to determine if there is a positive trend.
- Analyze the data to identify potential correlations between the department's programs and the increase in self-referrals.
The scope and purpose of these evaluation measures are as follows:
- Process evaluation measure: The purpose of this measure is to assess the department's effectiveness in establishing partnerships and collaborations within the community. By tracking the number of partnerships and evaluating their level of engagement, it can provide insights into the department's ability to effectively deliver consultation and education services.
- Outcome evaluation measure: The purpose of this measure is to evaluate the impact of the department's programs on the community. By measuring the increase in self-referrals for alcohol and drug abuse programs and family therapy sessions, it can help determine if the department's programs are having a positive effect on individuals seeking help.
These measures were influenced by the need to assess both the implementation of the program (process evaluation) and its effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes (outcome evaluation). By using these measures, the evaluation can provide a comprehensive understanding of the Consultation and Education Department's performance.
However, there may be some issues and challenges when evaluating the Greenby Community Mental Health Center:
1. Data collection: Obtaining accurate and reliable data can be a challenge, especially if the center lacks a systematic data collection and management system. It is important to establish mechanisms for consistently collecting and tracking the necessary data for the evaluation.
2. Measurement validity: Ensuring that the selected measures accurately capture the intended outcomes and impacts can be challenging. It is crucial to design measures that are valid, reliable, and aligned with the goals and objectives of the Consultation and Education Department.
3. Resource constraints: Limited resources, such as personnel, time, and funding, can impact the evaluation process. It is important to consider these constraints when designing the evaluation plan and allocate resources effectively to ensure the evaluation is feasible and meaningful.
Now, let's explain why an evaluation may be helpful to the Consultation and Education Department director's situation:
An evaluation can be helpful to the Consultation and Education Department director's situation for several reasons:
1. Justification to the board: By conducting an evaluation and presenting the findings, the director can provide evidence to support the department's role and effectiveness in supporting the center's overall mission. An evaluation can demonstrate the value and impact of the programs, making it easier to justify the need for continued funding and resources.
2. Strategic decision-making: Evaluation findings can inform strategic decision-making by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement within the department. This information can be used to guide resource allocation, program development, and program adjustments to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.
3. Accountability and transparency: An evaluation can enhance accountability by providing an objective assessment of the department's performance. By sharing evaluation findings with stakeholders, including the board, state authorities, and the community, the director can demonstrate transparency and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Overall, an evaluation can provide objective evidence of the Consultation and Education Department's impact, help inform decision-making processes, and strengthen the director's position when advocating for the department's importance and resources.