The purpose of this presentation is to share the experience of the evaluation process in a local health department social service program, which has incorporated research findings into practice, as well as integrated best practices into research methodology. To date, the presentation represents five annual evaluations dating from 1994 to 1999, and the purposes of each evaluation are; 1) to identify the characteristics of the client population served; 2) to identify the services provided to the client families; 3) to assess program outcomes in the areas of child placement and safety, family and child functioning and well-being, family empowerment, and client satisfaction; 4) to identify the characteristics of families for whom the services worked best; 5) to determine whether the primary short-term objectives were met; and 6) to provide recommendations for program improvement based on the findings of the evaluation. The evaluations were based on specific program goals and the research findings were used to recommend program procedural changes; e.g., identified characteristics of clients that may benefit most from the program become carefully examined criteria during the screening process. At the same time, steps taken to enhance the evaluation have been initiated by the best practice principles of program staff and administrators; e,g., the ability of direct-service providers to establish trusting relationships with their clients has resulted in more valid data provided by the client. Successess and challenges will be discussed in regard to improving evaluation criteria, research tools, outcomes, and effectively measuring implementation and practice.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to; 1. Discuss comprehensive ideas as to develop a public health social work research agenda including data collection and available data sets, software use, technical assistance, and grant and contract writing. 2. Do curriculum building for public health social work practice as a result of research implications. 3. Identify how public health social work through research and its implications can build community coalitions with public health organizations.
Keywords: Social Services, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The City of Long Beach (California)
Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Families and Youth
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.