Program Design

Program Design

As with each of the other assignments, this section requires a good deal of thoughtful and careful planning. Based on the program hypothesis, goal, objectives, and activities, you will need to determine what data elements will need to be collected in order to answer the questions that need to be answered for performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation purposes. This section should include the following content:

1.         Introduction

Write your introduction last! Once the remainder of the assignment is completed, then you can explain in your intro (1-2 paragraphs) what this section will cover. As with the previous sections, explain

2.         Program Components

            This sub-section will itemize all the data elements to be included in your data         collection system.  They will be organized around the basic components of a system:  Inputs, Throughputs, Outputs, and Outcomes.

1. Inputs – Refer to “Input Variables Table” provided in E-Learning or Table 8.1 in the book. List the variables to be used for clients, staff, material resources, facilities, and equipment based off your intended program.
   1. Clients– select a minimum of two variables and then describe the criteria of those variables selected. Example: Eligibility is a client variable, but explain what things make a client eligible or not. Is this age, income etc. Explain the purpose of the variables as it relates to the program.
   1. Staff– must include the variable of demographic and accreditation/licensing as it relates to staff. For each variable, select a criterion. Explain the purpose of the variables as it relates to the program.
   1. Physical Resources– select a minimum of two variables and then describe the criteria of those variables selected. Explain the purpose of the variables as it relates to the program.

• Throughputs – this is the definition of your program service to be provided. Most of you should just have one single service in your program. For that single service explain the following in this section:
  • Service Definition– keep to one to two sentences. For guidance, you may use the “Service Definitions” link in E-Learning. Your definition should narrow down what service you are providing and help provide an understanding of who the program is designed for and what service will be provided.
  • Service Tasks– explain what tasks make up your service in chronological order that will take place for a client. Identify between 3-5 tasks total. These tasks should support what your service definition intends to provide. For example, if the service is academic coaching, you would identify what tasks must occur with a client for them to receive and participate in services. For guidance, see figure 8.2 on page 137 of the book.
  • Method of Intervention– this is the way in which the service is going to be delivered. Your method should be based off best practice or a proven method of delivery. For example, counseling one on one vs. group for someone experiencing suicidal ideation. Include a brief description of your method of intervention (no more than one paragraph), why you chose this method, and support the method with one journal article.

• Intermediate Outputs – List and define units of service for the service to be provided.You will need one sentence to explain the unit and one sentence to explain the unit’s purpose. For this section, you must discuss each of the following units-
  • Episode or contact unit- This type of unit is defined as contact between worker and client. Your program may have more than one type of contact unit, butonly select one. For example, if you have a referral and an intake with clients, those are two separate contact units. You need only to describe one of those units. After describing the unit, explain what the purpose of the unit it.
  • Material unit- This type of unit is described as a tangible item that is provided to a client. Your program may have more than one type of material unit, but only select one. For example, your program may provide study guides to a student in a drop out prevention program. The study guide counts as one unit.After describing the unit, explain what the purpose of the unit it.
  • Time unit- This type of unit is described as minutes, hours, days, months etc. Your program may have more that one type of time unit, but only select one. For example, a one-hour tutoring session for a student in a drop out prevention program. After describing the unit, explain what the purpose of the unit it.
• Final Outputs – Define a service completion for the service to be provided. This is one very simple sentence based off the service you are providing. You are basically answering the question “When is a client finished with the program?” For example, you would write “A client completed 12 parenting class sessions with no absences”.

• Intermediate Outcomes–These outcomes are defined as ones that change the quality of life for a client, measured at the point of termination of services/service completion. Select at least two of the four measures (numerical, standardized, level of functioning, or client satisfaction) and explain why you chose these measures. Hint: the measures you choose will relate to what you selected for a unit or units with your intermediate outputs.

• Final Outcomes–These outcomes are defined as ones that change the quality of life for a client, measured at a designated follow up point with a client. Select at least two of the four measures (numerical, standardized, level of functioning, or client satisfaction) and explain why you chose these measures. Hint: the measures you choose will related to what you defined as being a completion of a services with your final outputs.