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Program Evaluation

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Program evaluation is a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer basic questions about a program. While there are many types of program evaluations, and many terms used to describe them, evaluations are typically divided into two major categories: process evaluations and outcome evaluations.
Process evaluations assess whether an intervention or program model was implemented as planned, whether the intended target population was reached, and the major challenges and successful strategies associated with program implementation.
Outcome evaluations determine whether, and to what extent, the expected changes in a public health or not-for- profit company’s outcomes occur and whether these changes can be attributed to the program or program activities.

Five reason to conduct a program evaluation in the public health and not- for- profits sectors. #1 A program evaluation can find out what works and doesn’t work. A process or outcome evaluation enables program managers to answer basic questions about a program’s effectiveness, including: Are participants benefiting from the program services? Are strategic implementations working? Are employees satisfied with the changes, and so.
#2 A program evaluation can showcase the effectiveness of a program to the community and funders. #3 A program evaluation can improve staff’s frontline practice with participants. #4 A program evaluation can increase a program’s capacity to conduct a critical self-assessment and plan for the future. #5 A program evaluation is a tool to build knowledge for the entire organization.
Common Concerns about Program evaluations
-Evaluation will divert resources away from the actual implemented program. Lets face it, evaluating any program in any organization can be costly. In the healthcare field cost seems to be going up every minute, so one of the most common concerns is always funds.
-Evaluation will be too complicated. Evaluations can get very complex in nature. The complexity of any situation in healthcare can often times raise red flags as to moving forward with evaluations.
-Evaluations can be an additional burden on employees.
-Evaluations might produce negative results. Organizations are sometimes fearful to what an evaluation discovers.
-Evaluations is just another form of program monitoring
While conducting an evaluation may seem complicated, expensive, or even overwhelming, it is important to remember that program evaluations serve as tools to improve organizations. Simply put, program evaluations are conducted to make programs better. Evaluations benefit programs at every stage of implementation. For start-up programs, evaluation can provide process data on the successes and challenges of early implementation; and, for more mature programs, the information obtained from a program evaluation can help to streamline and target program resources in the most cost-effective way by focusing time and money on delivering these services effectively. Data on program outcomes can also help secure fund for the future.

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