It human services, there are many people who will say that there is no way to measure “what we do” or explain in other general and qualitative fashions how we assist and empower people. This is not to say that we do see changes in people we are working with and appreciate a feeling of intrinsic reward. Unfortunately it is to say, that has little benefit or merit to funding sources, your board, volunteers/donors or community members.
The human services field in many ways is quickly moving toward a system that looks more like a business model. For example, the technology of participant data tracking systems are becoming the norm for the purposes of better understanding community need, trends and outcomes.
In order to make informed decisions, we need as much information and data as possible. Funding sources are now requiring the same level of detailed information to be shared when applying for funds. As you can review, by example, on p. 43 in the text where Brody talks about looking at goals as “if-then” statements, all outcomes must be measurable.
Please list three different outcomes, using the [3] categories below, of how you could measure outcomes in a community health center, listing an immediate/short term, intermediate/medium term, and long-term goal for each.
1. Create an outcome to measure patient health
2. Create an outcome to measure patient education or health knowledge
3. Create an outcome to measure patient satisfaction
Required Text
Brody, R.& Nair, M. (2014). Effectively Managing and Leading Human Service Organizations. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
