NCJ Number
59682
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A WILDERNESS THERAPEUTIC CAMPING PROGRAM SERVING OVER 200 YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN EAST TEXAS WAS EVALUATED BY A TEAM FROM THE STEPHEN AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY.
Abstract
THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION PROJECT WAS TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA RELATING TO STAFF SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT, CLIENT PROGRESS, AND PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS. OUTCOMES SHOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE CAMP'S ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL SO THEY CAN STRENGTHEN WEAK AREAS OF PROGRAM FUNCTIONING. THE EVALUATION WAS SEGMENTED INTO FOUR STAGES: OBSERVATION AND CONSULTATION, INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT, DATA COLLECTION, AND ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. DURING THE OBSERVATION AND CONSULTATION PHASE, A METHODOLOGY FOR THE EVALUATION OF CURRENT PROGRAM FUNCTIONING WAS DESIGNED AND A MANUAL DEVELOPED DETAILING THE ISSUES, METHODS, AND INSTRUMENTATION FOR CONTINUING EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM. THE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT PHASE INVOLVED REFINEMENT OF EXISTING TECHNIQUES USING PROCESS MEASUREMENT, OUTCOME ASSESSMENT, COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND OTHER EVALUATION TECHNIQUES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTS AND DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES. DIRECT OBSERVATION, ASSESSMENT, AND INTERACTION WITH PROGRAM STAFF WERE USED TO COLLECT DATA WHICH WERE THEN ANALYZED USING PEARSON CORRELATION COEFFIEIENTS, CROSS COMPARISONS OF OVER 200 VARIABLES, AND FACTOR ANALYSIS. SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTS USED IN AND DEVELOPED FOR THE EVALUATION ARE THE CAMP OBSERVATION SURVEY, A PROGRAM AUDIT OF THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CARE OF CLIENTS, BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT, MATERIAL NEEDS, AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT; THE JOB QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STAFF SELF-REPORTING ON ADMINISTRATIVE, TRAINING, AND MANAGERIAL PROBLEMS; THE WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT-EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATING TO MOTIVATIONAL REWARDS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES, FLOW OF INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, AND ROLE OF CONTROL FUNCTIONS; THE PERSONNEL CHARACTERISTICS EVALUATION FORM; THE WILDERNESS STAFF EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR FOLLOWUP SURVEY OF STAFF, AND THE PSCYCHOSOCIAL MATURITY INDEX FOR USE WITH CLIENTEL. EVALUATION OUTCOMES WERE HELPFUL IN POINTING OUT PROGRAM WEAKNESSES AND PRESCRIBING NEEDED CHANGES. THE RESEARCH PROJECT ALSO RESULTED IN THE PRODUCTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION MANUAL. AN OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAM EVALUATION IS INCLUDED. (MJW)