This week we learned about Program Evaluation. The text outlines reason that evaluations are important, they help with working out the why, the who, and the how within the community. The evaluation process helps us see the needs of the community and make plans to fill those needs.

 First, we must look at all the needs and then start asking the questions to figure out what need interests us the most. Once we figure out what need we want to focus on we can go to those community members and families and ask how we can fill that need. What do they need from us so we can plan accordingly?

Second is to create a plan to get the program up and running by creating a team and a step by step plan to reach the goal. One big way to reach the goal of the program and to make it a success is having constant communication with the participants.

Third is to assess the end of the program. How many successes were there, how many participants went through the program from start to finish. What changes need to be made before starting another program or start the current program back up.

Logic Models are used as a suggested outline to create any program. They map out important steps to take like the communication piece with the participants. The other important step is to ask and talk with the people that will benefit and be affected the most by the program.

When we listen to the people that are going through the program and use their suggestions, we can improve the program we are working on and continue to make it better throughout the process and meeting the needs of the community.

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References:

Darling, C. A. (2014). Family life education: Working with families across the lifespan. In C. A. Darling, Family life education: Working with families across the lifespan. (p. 4). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press. ISBN 978-1478611431.

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