You are to identify a human service program,, one which addresses a particular social condition or problem, and complete an evaluation design proposal that incorporates the following:
a. Describe how you would go about verifying whether the program is based on a thorough needs assessment. Be sure to: (i) address how you would determine the extent to which this particular social problem or condition exists;
(ii) define the target population and target boundaries;
(iii) identify pertinent stakeholders (including beneficiaries/impactees); and (iv) broadly describe the service needs.
b. Describe the program theory (mission, goals, objectives), identifying its critical components and specific functions. Be sure to explain how you would assess the program’s (i) impact theory,
(ii) its service utilization plan, (
iii) its organizational plan, and
(iv) formulate a draft logic model for your program (including both a diagram and textual description) that specifies inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes (short, medium and long-term).
c. Design a strategy for assessing your program processes (implementation). In other words, what strategy would you use to determine how well the program is delivering its services? Emphasis should be placed on strategies or methods for monitoring target population coverage.
d. Identify, define, and operationalize (i.e., explain how do you propose to measure) specific program outcomes. The program impact theory and logic model you develop in item (b) above will be especially helpful in this task.
e. Design a strategy (methodology) for assessing your program’s impact – e.g., randomized field experiment versus non-random quasi experimental methods. Be sure to discuss the strengths and limitations of your impact assessment strategy as it relates to potential sources of bias and threats to internal validity.
f. The evaluation design proposal should be 10-12 pages (excluding cover page, reference page and attachments).