Social programs have been an essential part of national prosperity, and it significantly improved standards of living. Although numerous programs aim to solve difficult problems and assist citizens with their issues, the social program’s success is not guaranteed. Evaluation types and methodologies are necessary instruments to categorize and analyze the effectiveness of social programs (Rossi, Lipsey, & Freeman, 2003).
Historically, the United States did not actively implement social programs into governmental practices until 1960 due to the unpopularity of it. However, during Kennedy and Johnson presidencies, there was a rapid rise of social programs because those presidents advocated for policies and acts that encouraged an active use of the given programs, such as War on Poverty (Rossi et al., 2003). The boom period in the 1960s happened due to a significant increase in social program initiatives and implementations. Subsequently, it led to a high need for policy analysis and evaluation methodologies, which are crucial in measuring and determining the social program’s effectiveness.
Program evaluation is a tool to systematically apply the techniques and concepts of social science disciplines in order to investigate the efficiency of social intervention programs. Numerous professionals and experts emerged in the field of program evaluation after an increase of social policy and public administration movements. The evaluation methodologies aim to accurately describe the social program’s performance and assess it according to the main five domains: need, design, delivery, outcome, and effectiveness (Rossi et al., 2003).
Each domain strictly follows the social intervention program from the beginning to the results. The given process accompanied by interested parties or stakeholders, who might fund, supervise, and evaluate the program. Stakeholders can be represented as individuals, groups, or organizations with a great deal of involvement in the performance of the social intervention program. For example, they can be decision-making authority, sponsor, administrator, and personnel (Rossi et al., 2003).
All social programs have a target unit, who can be an individual, family, or community. The program directly focuses on solving and assisting the target population, therefore, every social intervention program requires an assessment and process evaluation from both service providing and receiving parties.
Finally, there are a number of approaches for social program evaluation, including cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, empowerment evaluation, and program monitoring (Rossi et al., 2003). Each evaluation method assesses the effectiveness of the program from various angles, thus making the program monitoring process strategically precise and clear. On the other hand, program theory is a tactical approach in making a set of calculated assumptions and predictions, which can propel and induce goal achievement.
The given theory includes the impact theory that focuses on studying and analyzing social condition changes due to the program. In addition, process theory is a crucial evaluation instrument, which serves as a representation of utilization and organizational plans (Rossi et al., 2003). All of the mentioned methodologies are used for creating a precise picture in order to monitor and assess the social intervention program efficiency.
Reference
Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2003). Evaluation: A systematic approach (7th ed.). ‎Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.