This week, you will begin by selecting an agency, interviewing key personnel at the agency regarding the programs they provide, and developing a logic m

All of the discussions and written assignments in this course will focus on a program evaluation of one specific non-profit agency.  Each week’s discussion thread will focus on the issues that will be relevant to that week’s written assignment.  Use the discussion as a means to clarify your understanding of the issues related to the topics each week.  This week, you will begin by selecting an agency, interviewing key personnel at the agency regarding the programs they provide, and developing a logic model that provides a graphic overview of the program’s purpose, services, inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes that will be evaluated. 

Please note that, due to the very short duration of this course, it will likely not be possible to actually collect and analyze data from that agency.  You will have the option to collect agency data (with the permission of the agency, of course) or to create data files using hypothetical data in future weeks.

Review the PowerPoint presentation of a program evaluation conducted at Program Evaluation for Broward Partnership for the Homeless.pptx

In this discussion thread, please identify the following. Items 1, 2, and 3 are due by Wednesday; item 4 is due by Sunday.

1. The name of the agency that you will be evaluating in this course NOTE: If the agency prefers, you may use a pseudonym for confidentiality purposes. The agency should provide psychological and/or social services and be a not-for-profit agency. 
2. Discuss the ethical issues involved with being a consultant for a social services agency.  How will the confidentiality of the clients be maintained throughout your program evaluation project?  Are there other ethical or legal issues that need to be considered?
3. By the end of the week, you will need to interview at least one key personnel at the agency.  When deciding who to interview, consider the following:
   • Who can provide the best information about the services delivered by the agency?
   • Who can provide the best information about how the agency currently measures outcomes related to effectiveness of their programs?
   • Review the components that are required for your logic model.  The person(s) interviewed should be able to explain the inputs, activities, outputs, and desired short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term outcomes.