What process and outcome evaluation could be used to display the effectiveness and efficiency of the following program?
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
This sounds very much like the psychobabble one hears on Dr Phil.
I would never evaluate a program on its own, but as an alternative, then evaluate them all on the same criteria: cost, performance objectives.
It is most uncertain what the performance objectives of C and E are from reading this, surely there are some objective measures of satisfactory performance, in which alternatives could be ranked.
To display the effectiveness and efficiency of the Consultation and Education (C and E) program at the Greenby Community Mental Health Center, you can use process and outcome evaluation.
Process Evaluation:
1. Define the objectives and goals of the C and E program: Start by clearly outlining the intended outcomes and objectives of the program. This will help in evaluating if the program is being implemented as intended.
2. Measure program activities and outputs: Collect data on the activities and services provided by the C and E department. This may include the number of consultations conducted, the number of educational workshops held, the number of participants, and the extent to which preventive programs are being implemented in schools and factories.
3. Assess program delivery and fidelity: Evaluate how well the program is being delivered according to established protocols and procedures. This may involve monitoring the availability of resources, staff expertise, and adherence to best practices.
4. Collect data on program reach and engagement: Determine the extent to which the C and E program is reaching its target audience and engaging community members. This could be measured through attendance rates, feedback from participants, and gauging public awareness and perception of the program.
Outcome Evaluation:
1. Identify desired program outcomes: Clearly define the desired outcomes of the C and E program, such as improved mental health knowledge, increased referrals for other services, or changes in behavior related to mental health.
2. Measure the impact of the program: Collect data to evaluate the impact of the C and E program on the desired outcomes. This may involve surveys, interviews, or other assessment tools to measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among program participants.
3. Assess cost-effectiveness and efficiency: Analyze the resources invested in the C and E program and compare them with the achieved outcomes. This could include calculating the cost per participant, cost per referral, or cost per change in behavior. It's important to demonstrate that the program is utilizing resources effectively and efficiently.
By conducting a comprehensive process and outcome evaluation, the Greenby Community Mental Health Center can demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the C and E program. This evaluation will provide data and evidence to support the program's impact on the community and its value in terms of the overall goals of the center.