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Listen to thisHello,
I am looking for advice/suggestions etc. regarding the steps, process and what aspects to keep in mind when starting a program from scratch.
I have just been hired by an established non-profit agency to set up a new counselling program that will meet the needs of the city's LGBTQ+ population.
I have never started a program before, and the agency knows this. I am to create a program logic model and program evaluation. Does anyone know where I can learn how to do this?
My deliverables are:
Direct service delivery to 80+ service users
in 1 year.
Creation of a well running program, with evaluations in place.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Brandy
...
Good luck on an excellent enterprise.
Dawne MacKay-Chiddenton
...
Does your local United Way or other granting body have resources, training and samples to follow? Is there a nearby University you could connect with to pick their brains?
One example....(I would Google others)….
https://apps.publichealth.arizona.edu/CHWToolkit/PDFs/Logicmod/chapter2.pdf
Barring that you need:
Needs survey.....both qualitative (focus groups)
and quantitative (use surveys and questionnaires).
A reference group or steering committee to run your developing ideas and
questions past.
Questions should address not only the needs for service but also how
people want service delivered e.g accessibility, location, model (peer
run or professional or hybrid).
At a certain point when you have enough data you want to draft your program model and then present this to your focus groups and steering committee and get feedback.
Evaluation should also have items collected that are simple data aspects....who, how many, how long re service.....and qualitative aspects. Also you want to measure if what you have provided is making a difference in terms of request for service and presenting issues/needs/ problems.
Throughout you want to use the SMART framework for goal setting:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timed
Hope this helps!
Rick Kelly
…
Hello Brandy,
I am a Child and Youth Care student and am currently learning about the characteristics of an effective program, if you think it could help with understanding some aspects to keep in mind, I can send you the power point. I myself do have experience with program planning. If you have any questions I am also experienced with using the logic model if you’re unsure about it.
Contact me if you have any queries.
Cheers :)
Cody Demings
…
Hi Brandy,
There's a book you can get from Ryerson University that is based on program development. When I did a mock assignment you need to identify the goals and needs that are being met, what you will need to run the program and who your stakeholders are going to be.
You need to implement activities, and questionnaires as to how you are going to know if it has been successful and if it’s meeting your clients’ needs.
If I think of anything else I will let you know.
Ann Violatzis
…
Another helpful resource:
http://www.theoryofchange.org/what-is-theory-of-change/
Rick Kelly
...
Hi Brandy,
In a previous position I was required to use logic model templates to support planning and evaluating project outcomes. The guidance document below was helpful in understanding the process and choosing templates to identify and evaluate outcomes.
http://www.epa.gov/evaluate/pdf/eval-guides/logic-model-development-guide.pdf
Hope this helps,
Catherine Byrne
Ireland
