Defining and Measuring Program Effectiveness at a Mental Health/ Social Services Agency

Abstract

Defining and measuring outcome effectiveness is key to understanding whether a service makes a difference. The Village for Families & Children in Hartford, Connecticut, has promoted the use of outcome effectiveness studies for more than a decade. The authors describe the outcome effectiveness process used by this agency, beginning with the formation of a team, consisting of both program staff and evaluators. Going beyond written material to unwritten philosophies and accepted practice, the team then carefully defines effectiveness. Multiple sources of information are then identified to answer the efficacy question. The article concludes with a description of the definition and measures used to assess the effectiveness of an intensive family preservation program.