NCJ Number
50681
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM EVALUATION FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS ARE DETAILED, ALONG WITH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAM EVALUATION.
Abstract
TWO TASKS OF MANAGEMENT RELATE DIRECTLY TO THE EVALUATIVE PROCESS: (1) INSURING THE FULFILLMENT OF LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS OF A PROGRAM TO ITS CONSTITUENTS, AND (2) MANAGEMENT OF ASPIRATIONS RELATED TO PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THESE OBLIGATIONS. ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CONDUCT OF PROGRAMS EVOLVES FROM THE NOTION OF DELEGATION BY A FINDER AND ACCEPTANCE BY A LOCAL BODY OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIRES CONSENSUS ON CRITERIA BY WHICH PERFORMANCE IS JUDGED. EVALUATION IS A TOOL FOR MANAGING ASPIRATIONS PERTINENT TO PROGRAM EXCELLENCE ONCE ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER DECISIONMAKING OCCURS IN FOUR BASIC AREAS RELATED TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT: INTERNAL OPERATIONS AND CENTER MANAGEMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY FUNCTIONS, TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION FUNCTIONS, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT EFFORTS. IN EACH AREA, OPERATIONAL STANDARDS ARE CREATED AND RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MEET PROGRAM COMMITMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS. THE NEED FOR EVALUATION IS RELATED TO THE CRUCIAL REQUIREMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION AND THE USE OF DATA IS EFFECTIVE DECISIONMAKING. DIMENSIONS OF PROGRAM EVALUATION INCLUDE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, CLIENT UTILIZATION MONITORING, INTERVENTION OUTCOMES, AND THE COMMUNITY IMPACT OF A PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE OF EVALUATORS, INCLUDING STATISTICAL STAFF, CLINICAL RESEARCH STAFF, TECNICAL/EVALUATIVE SPECIALISTS, AND COORDINATIVE DECISIONMAKERS, IS DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)