This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Green, B. L. Articles by Woratschek, F. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Integrating Program and Evaluation Values: A Family Support Approach to Program Evaluation

Green • 317 Cramer Hall, Department of Psychology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97207-075

Laurie Mulvey

ACSW, University of Pittsburgh

Heather A. Fisher

MA, University of Pittsburgh

Flora Woratschek

MA, University of Pittsburgh

In the past several years, models of social service provision that are based on principles of "family support" have been implemented nationwide. Development of evaluation methods to adequately reflect the multifaceted nature of these programs, however, has lagged behind program development. It is particularly difficult (especially within the context of traditional evaluation paradigms) to develop evaluations that do not in and of themselves violate the principles of family support, which advocate for services that are strengths-based, collaborative, family-centered, comprehensive, and flexible. To this end, we have been collaborating with local agency directors, family support staff, and parents to develop an evaluation approach that is based on the general principles of family support. The work that we describe draws techniques from participatory, empowerment, and utilization-focused evaluation approaches, but operationalizes evaluation activities based on the guiding program value system. By tailoring the evaluation to the service philosophy, we contend that the evaluation process can become more thoroughly integrated with the service program, and thus provide a more useful and accurate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the program.

American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 17, No. 3, 261-272 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/109821409601700306


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?