Southern New Hampshire University Comprehensive Anti Gang Initiative Evaluation

  discussion

 post your answers about the evaluation methods and data to be collected. This discussion will help you formulate Section VI of Capstone Component 2: Human Services Program Proposal.

For your initial post, review the following links: Step 3: Set Goals and Indicators and Step 4: Choose Design and Tool. After reviewing these two websites (and any optional resources), identify how you will conduct the evaluation that will determine effectiveness for the program or intervention.

Consider the following questions while you are composing your initial post:

• What measurement tool will be used to collect the data, and who will be responsible for collecting the data?
• How will you determine what data need to be collected and what your rationale is for this particular data?

Consider that measurement tools should be validated and tested on diverse populations.

Finally, evaluate the program for compliance and application to appropriate legal and ethical standards for human services organizations.

In response to your peers provide suggestions for improvement or alternative ideas.

Peer 1: The program I will evaluate is the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH). This is a program that helps those who have mental illness and are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. PATH, part of the first major federal legislative response to homelessness, is administered by the SAMHSA  (2021).

For this evaluation, the best course of action and data collection would be a mixed method approach. By gathering both qualitative and quantitative data, the evaluation will be in-depth and thorough. The quantitative research can be done by volunteers who are experienced in searching data bases and gathering statistics from reputable sources. Questionnaires can be distributed and interviews conducted by HHS professionals to obtain qualitative information that will explain how the program is beneficial or where improvement is needed from the perspective of those directly involved with PATH, both clients and professionals.

Quantitative data such how many have been served, what are their age, gender, and economic status, will be needed to determine if there are any biases. What are the recidivism rates of those served (numbers who found themselves back on the streets)?  Qualitative data will be collected based on the results of the quantitative research. Answers will be found to questions, such as, why is the need higher in some areas compared to others? Are there biases, perceived or otherwise? Why did the program work for some but not others? How do clients think the program could be improved? What does PATH see as the future of the program?

Projects for Assistance in Transition From Homelessness, SAMHSA, 2021.                                                                                                  https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/grant-programs-services/path 

Peer 2:

Hi class,

My topic is concerning the special education teacher shortage in my city of Charlotte. I will be evaluating the studies done at UNCC in the article by White (2004). I will use a mixed methods approach to collect and evaluate this data and present the information to the funder. The number of paraeducators that apply and are chosen will be conveyed as well as the number of ethnically diverse applicants that are chosen and apply. These quantitative numbers will be cross-referenced with the qualitative data of determining factors used, participant experiences, and how the program operates. I will determine what data need to be collected based on the goals and objectives set forth to solve the social issue as best as possible. Finding applicants interested in the paraeducator program is the first criteria and finding diverse teachers is another important criteria. The rationale is to recruit as many educators as possible and that we need to employ diverse teachers because both of these categories are very low in special education. To comply with ethical and legal standards for human services organizations, the applicants must sign a waiver to allow use of the information collected. No names will be shared. “Paraeducator recruitment is portrayed as an effective response to the problems of teacher shortages in special education and the problem of inadequate diversity of students in teacher education (White, 2004).”

White, R. (2004). The Recruitment of Paraeducators Into the Special Education Profession: A Review of Progress, Select Evaluation Outcomes, and New Initiatives. Remedial and Special Education, 25(4), 214–218. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1177/07419325040250040401