Paper instructions:
Program Evaluation: Purpose and Usefulness

Program evaluation is both essential and useful for human services administrators. Conducting a program evaluation can serve multiple purposes for human services organizations. It is important for administrators to know how to use a program evaluation to appraise programs and services offered by their organizations. As you prepare for this Discussion, consider the purposes for conducting a program evaluation in a human services organization of interest to you. Exploring program evaluation provides you with valuable information about how evaluation is useful in human services administration.

With these thoughts in mind:

The Assignment
Write a one and a half page, well organized description of a human services organization of interest to you. Then explain one specific purpose for conducting a program evaluation in that organization. Provide one example that illustrates how program evaluation might be utilized for this purpose. Support your response with references to the Learning Resources. Finally, draw a conclusion about the usefulness of program evaluation in assessing human services programs and services.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

References should include the following materials (Learning Resources):

Learning Resources
Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week’s assignments.

Readings
Article: Bureau of Justice Assistance: Center for Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement (n.d.).Guide to program evaluation. Retrieved from https://www.bja.gov/evaluation/guide/

Article: Chen, Y.-M., Hedrick, S. C., & Young, H. M. (2010). A pilot evaluation of the family caregiver support program. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33(2), 113–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Science Direct database.

Article: McNamara, C. (n.d.). Basic guide to program evaluation. Free Management Library. Retrieved May 19, 2011, from http://managementhelp.org/evaluation/program-evaluation-guide.htm

Article: Ross, M. E. (2010). Designing and using program evaluation as a tool for reform. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 5(12.7), 481–506.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ERIC database.

Article: Sridharan, S., & Nakaima, A. (2011). Ten steps to making evaluation matter. Evaluation and Program Planning, 34(2), 135–146.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Science Direct database.

Article: Stake, R. E. (2011). Program evaluation particularly responsive evaluation. Journal of Multidisciplinary Evaluation, 7(15), 180–201.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Directory of Open Access Journals database.