Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T22:12:56.781Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Program evaluation for child and family services: What can be done?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Abstract

This article is about program evaluation for child and family services. It sets out to offer some basic frameworks for thinking about program evaluation and about the issue of program effectiveness. A rationale for the emphasis on effectiveness is identified and then linked to three areas of possible measurement. These areas, changes in user/client condition, quality of services provided and user/client satisfaction, are then considered in more detail. Finally, it is argued that service users/clients will gain from program evaluation exercises. The evaluation of services contributes potentially to an improvement in the effectiveness of child and family services so service users/clients obtain benefit from such evaluations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ainsworth, F. 1991, ‘The development of a residential program for adolescents’. The Child and Youth Care Administrator, 3, 2, 2124.Google Scholar
Ainsworth, F. 1994, ‘Contracting arrangements in children’s services’, Children Australia, 19, 2, 1114.Google Scholar
Ainsworth, F. 1996, ‘Surviving and thriving in a contracting environment’, Children Australia, 21, 1, 2326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ainsworth, F. 1997, Family centred group care: Model building, Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing.Google Scholar
Cross, T. & McDonald, E. 1995, Evaluating the outcome of children’s mental health services: A guide for the use of available child and family outcome measures, Boston, MA: Judge Baker Children’s Center.Google Scholar
Faul, A C., Hanekom, A. J. & van Niekerk, C. 1997, Workshop manual, Perspective Training College, Silverton.Google Scholar
Fisher, J. & Corcoran, K. (eds), 1994a, Measures for clinical practice. Vol 1. Couples, families and children, (2nd edn.), New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Fisher, J. & Corcoran, K. (eds), 1994b, Measures for clinical practice. Vol 2. Adults, (2nd edn.), New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Fulcher, L. C. & Ainsworth, F. 1981, ‘Planned care and treatment: The notion of programme’, in Ainsworth, F. & Fulcher, L. C., Group care for Children: Concept and issues, London: Tavistock Publications.Google Scholar
Hudson, W. 1996, Walmyr assessment scales scoring manual, Tampe. AZ: Walmyr Publishing Company. (Available from Measures, PO Box 58, Osborne Park, W. Australia 6917).Google Scholar
McCroskey, J. & Meezan, W. 1997, Family preservation and family functioning, Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.Google Scholar
McCubbin, H., Thompson, A. I. & McCubbin, M. A. 1996, Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaptation, Madison. WI: University of Wisconsin Publishers.Google Scholar
Owen, J. M. 1993, Program evaluation. Forms and approaches, Sydney: Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Jacobs, F. H. 1988, ‘The five tiered approach to evaluation: Context and implementation’, in Weiss, H. B. & Jacobs, F. H. (eds), Evaluating family programs. New York, Aldine de Gruyter.Google Scholar
Kinney, J., Haapala, D., Booth, C. & Leavitt, S. 1990, ‘The Homebuilders model’, in Whittaker, J. K., Kinney, J., Tracy, E, M., & Booth, C. (eds), Reaching high risk families: Intensive family preservation services. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.Google Scholar
Patti, R. J. 1987, ‘Managing for service effectiveness in social welfare: Toward a performance model’, in Patti, R. J., Poertner, J. & Rapp, C. A. (eds), Managing for service effectiveness in social welfare organisations, New York: Haworth Press.Google Scholar
Pecora, P. J., Seelig, W. R., Zirps, F. A. & Davis, S. M. (eds) 1996, Quality improvements and evaluation in child and family services, Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.Google Scholar
Pecora, P. J. & Seelig, W. R. 1996, ‘Selected quality improvement implementation issues’, in Pecora, P. J., Seelig, W. R., Zirps, F. A. & Davis, S. M. (eds), Quality improvements and evaluation in child and family services, Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.Google Scholar
Pedazur, E. J. & Pedazur Schmelkin, L. 1991, Measurement, design and analysis, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Pietrzak, J., Ramler, M., Rentier, T., Ford, L. & Gilbert, N. 1990, Practical program evaluation: Examples from child abuse prevention programs, Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Schalock, R. L. 1995, Outcome based evaluation, New York: Plenum Press.Google Scholar