Hsm_270_Program_Planning_and_Evaluation

Assignment: Program Planning and Evaluation Paper Kayla Wilson 03/06/2011 Cylenthia Hoyrd HSM/270 As you read this paper you will find that it is going to be about a fictional program scenario that I have chosen to work with. The scenario that I have chosen is scenario three PEACE Domestic Violence Agency. Also it will be comparing program planning with program evaluation in human services organizations and how the components are related. It will be identifying specific examples of how program planning and evaluation interrelate in the scenario that was chosen. Last it will be identifying technical and political aspects of program planning and evaluation that may be encountered in the scenario and how the aspects could affect the planning and evaluation process. After reviewing the material provided about program planning and program evaluation in human service organizations it seems as though they do compare to each other. According to the reading it states that “When planned carefully, these two set of activities can be integrated into an organized set of ongoing operations that promote and support each other” (Mika, 1996, p. 6). “Program planning and evaluation are both the process and the product of the political and economic environments” (Yuen, F., Terao, K., 2003). So from what can be understood they both are a process, but they do differ in how they process things in an organization. They way that both of the components are related is once one has his or her plan in order then he or she has to evaluate it to see for sure if the plan in motion is working. Also one would need to know the area that needs to be worked on as well as what the cause of the problem is and how they can resolve those problems. From what I could find out in the reading the way that program planning and program evaluation interrelate is because there is a need for the program or a program. How they interrelate to the chosen scenario that was chosen is as said before there is always a need for a program and there are a large number of domestic violence victims who are in need of desperate help as well as the one who is abusing them are in need of help. The main goal is to stop the abuse somehow. However in order to stop the abuse one must identify what the issue is and why or how it is causing the problem. The technical aspect of program planning that one may encounter in the program scenario that was chosen is to have someone who is qualified or a qualified counselor on hand for the people who are the victims of domestic violence. The counselor would be able to talk to the victim or victims to find out exactly what they need or what their needs are. Also what areas do the victim or victims need help in for example child care, schooling, housing, counseling and any other needs that the victim or victims may need. The political aspect of program planning and program evaluation of the chosen scenario would be going to a higher authority. For example going to congress and fighting to get better laws against domestic violence. Or even coming up with a better law that will protect the person or person’s being abused. It also needs to be made so the person who is doing the abuse will take full responsibility for their actions. Issues that could affect the planning and evaluation process of the domestic violence scenario is the person’s housing. For example he or she may not be able to get to a safe house for protection. They also may not be able to get in contact with someone who can put them in a witness protection program, so the person who is abusing them will not be able to find them and hurt them again. One will also have to look at the situation and wonder if he or she the person being abused will go back to the abuser. This is always something to take into consideration when one is being abused. Also if he or she will go fourth and press charges against the abuser. If he or she chooses to do so then will they keep those charges pending against the abuser or decide to drop them in the future. These are just some of the many things that could affect the program planning and program evaluation process. Overall there are many aspects that could affect the program planning and program evaluation process in the chosen scenario. It is good to know that there are many different program planning and program evaluation processes that one can choose from. Everyone’s program planning and program evaluation process may be different than someone else’s. I suppose that is the good thing about it, is that everyone has different ideas and different ways of solving things. References Mika, K. (1996). Program outcome evaluation: A step-by-step handbook. Milwaukee, WI: Families International, Inc. Yuen, F. & Terao, K. (2003). Practical grant writing & program evaluation. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole—Thomson Learning.