Introduction
The Roof Over Our Heads shelter has made great achievements in combating the widespread drug and alcohol abuse among its clientele by implementing several effective programs. One of the three primary components of these programs is an 8-week preventative education program delivered through clinician-facilitated drug addiction groups. Second, there is the 12-step program, founded on faith-based principles, with a consistent number of participants because of its positive outlook on recovery.
The third component is a state-funded peer support program that matches clients with others in recovery to go to appointments with them and help them reintegrate into society. The fundamental goal of this multifaceted approach is to help clients as a whole by fixing the many problems they have. While the organization has largely achieved much in terms of higher client retention and more permanent housing placements, it has also encountered obstacles such as increasing workloads for clinicians that have reduced its services’ efficiency.
Outcome Measures
Roof Over Our Heads uses both practice and functional outcomes to assess the efficacy of its programs. Measuring these two outcome categories is crucial for thoroughly evaluating the program’s effectiveness. The practice outcome primarily focuses on patients’ well-being. The positive outcomes that clients in clinician-led drug addiction groups report include increased satisfaction with the program, enhanced ability to cope, and decreased substance use. López et al. (2021) establish that group-based therapy enhances drug use outcomes and coping ability.
Further possible positive outcomes of the faith-based 12-step program are clients’ spiritual development, improved self-efficacy, and sobriety. Research shows that 12-step programs help people get sober and develop their spirituality (Arenas, 2021). Last, for the state-funded peer support program, practice outcomes could include clients’ perceived peer support, greater recovery motivation, and treatment involvement. Peer support programs improve clients’ participation in therapy and drive them to recover.
On the other hand, functional outcomes involve how the treatments have impacted the clients’ everyday lives and the larger community. One possible functional benefit of clinician-led drug addiction groups is that participants can better find and maintain long-term housing, expand their social support systems, and repair strained family connections. Wang et al. (2019) in their studies establish that those who take part in groups to address substance misuse are more likely to maintain their homes and have better social lives.
Among the possible functional consequences of the 12-step program include clients’ reintegration into society, advancement in the workplace, and fewer legal concerns stemming from substance abuse. Research has proven that participation in 12-step programs has been linked to more successful reintegration into society and fewer legal issues, according to research (Majer et al., 2022). Therefore, the peer support program’s functional objective encompasses clients’ greater use of community services, lower hospitalizations, and improved community impression of the shelter. Peer support programs lead to reductions in hospitalization rates and increases in the use of other available community services.
The selected outcome measures for each deployed program were chosen because they would allow for an all-encompassing comprehension of the program’s efficacy. In addition, the organization can better understand how its services affect customers’ lives and the larger community if it measures practice and functional outcomes (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2017). Kirst-Ashman and Hull (2017) further argue that evaluating a program is more informative, considering both practice and functional outcomes. Therefore, it is important to consider both process and product outcomes when assessing Roof Over Our Heads’ program effectiveness. As a result, the organization can make smarter choices regarding its future direction and objectives.
Summative Evaluation
In its first year of operation, Roof Over Our Heads’ drug abuse prevention initiatives have met with varying degrees of success. Half of the clients who enter the shelter stay for at least 90 days, a good indicator of the services’ ability to meet the requirements of those with a dual illness. In addition, the organization and the community can take heart from the fact that around a quarter of its clients have been put in permanent homes.
Even with their achievements, the programs have faced challenges. A significant obstacle has been the increasing workload of doctors facilitating drug addiction support groups. While some employees are thrilled to be in charge of these sessions, others have voiced their displeasure, claiming they were not hired for group projects. This has prompted concerns about employees’ morale and their influence on service quality.
In addition, some clients have complained about the 12-step program’s religious components and the associated literature and signage at the facility, which presents a new challenge. As a result, some participants’ involvement could decline, reducing the program’s overall efficacy. Furthermore, the peer support program’s credibility has been compromised because a peer was caught bringing drugs into the shelter and providing them to clients. This incident may have lasting effects on clients’ faith in the program and its ability to help them.
Generally, these initiatives have had far-reaching effects on the community, drawing widespread support and sharp condemnation. Some locals have complained that the shelter is bringing in more homeless persons. In contrast, others have praised its success and devotion to meeting the facility’s customers’ varied and often complicated requirements. Addressing the problems will allow the organization to keep moving forward and fulfilling its objective of helping clients achieve recovery and independence.
Qualitative Evaluation
A qualitative evaluation, including semi-structured interviews and focus groups with clients, staff, and community stakeholders, is necessary to understand the programs’ efficacy. This approach facilitates the collection of comprehensive data that better illustrates the effects of these initiatives on the persons involved. Patients who participated in clinician-led drug misuse support groups reported feeling valued and understood in this evaluation of their group experience. The curriculum was useful for learning about the origins of addiction and developing effective methods of dealing with the condition. Some clients, however, have asked for additional one-on-one sessions in addition to the group sessions.
The 12-step program’s religious underpinnings encountered mixed responses, prompting a reevaluation of the program’s strengths and weaknesses. Even though it is evident that many people enjoyed the program’s spiritual component and the sense of community it fostered, its religious overtones displeased others. In addition, many people regarded and appreciated the peer support program for its ability to connect people with peers who had already gone through similar situations and could provide advice and comfort.
Further, the fact that a peer was able to bring narcotics into the facility highlights the need for more competitive criteria and more thorough screening methods. While staff members mostly concurred that the programs improved clients’ lives, they also recognized the need for increased funding to meet the increasing demand for services. Finally, many local leaders acknowledged the organization’s successes and praised its efforts, while some voiced alarm over the growing homeless population.
The qualitative analysis reveals that the initiatives have benefited participants, workers, and the neighborhood. Nonetheless, some issues need to be addressed, such as expanding access to the 12-step program, providing more tailored assistance, and guaranteeing the safety and efficacy of the peer support program. By making these adjustments, the organization can expand on its current success and serve its clientele and the community more effectively.
Goals and Action Steps
Roof Over Our Heads can increase the efficacy and impact of its substance use prevention programs by implementing numerous recommendations obtained from a review of the first year of the programs. As a first step, it is crucial to keep running the clinician-led substance abuse groups that have successfully retained clients. Clinicians who are uncomfortable leading groups should have the option of receiving additional training and support from the organization, and the organization should consider expanding the pool of employees and volunteers who are responsible for leading groups (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2017). This approach will assist in keeping the program running well and keeping employees happy in their jobs.
Second, the organization must accommodate the conventional 12-step program for people who find its religious underpinnings offensive. Cooperation with religious organizations can develop a more accommodating, secular version that respects various faiths. In addition, offering secular programs in addition to the 12-step program will give clients greater autonomy. To improve the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process for its diverse clientele, the organization must address these issues and ensure access to various forms of help.
Third, the effectiveness of the peer assistance program depends on the organization improving its monitoring and assessment processes. One approach would be to demand higher standards for the training and screening of potential peer support workers. Kirst-Ashman and Hull (2017) suggest writing down the program’s rules and regulations in detail. The safety and efficacy of the services provided to clients depend on regular peer support worker monitoring and assessment.
Furthermore, adapting the 12-step program to the client’s religious beliefs and sensitivity is crucial. By collaborating with faith-based groups to establish a secular version of the 12-step program or providing extra secular programs in addition to the 12-step program, it is feasible to provide choices to clients that respect their beliefs and preferences. As a result, clients can select a service that better aligns with their values and needs. It is also important that the organization considers other financing options, such as grants, to obtain enough funds for its activities. Creating robust grant bids highlighting the programs’ positive results is one option, as is reaching out to other groups in the community that might be willing to contribute either monetarily or in kind.
Finally, the organization’s leadership should maintain an open line of communication with locals to address their concerns and increase their knowledge of the organization’s goals and achievements. Community gatherings, collaboration with local companies and groups, and social media and other communication channels can help achieve this goal. By encouraging open lines of communication and teamwork with the local community, Roof Over Our Heads can better serve its customers and the area.
Conclusion
While the program’s first year of implementation improved client retention and housing placements, issues with staff workload, client dissatisfaction, and the peer support program remain. Among the suggested modifications are new approaches to clinician-facilitated groups, new approaches to the 12-step program, tighter control of the peer support program, increased money, and more opportunities for community discussion. The company can expand its good effects on customers and the neighborhood by making these adjustments. This analysis and recommendations for improvement provide a road map for sustained development that will help Roof Over Our Heads fulfill its objective to alleviate homelessness and addiction.
References
Arenas, J. A. (2021). Alcohol and the Brain: Recovery Benefits of 12 Step Facilitation (Doctoral dissertation, California Southern University). Web.
Kirst-Ashman, K. and Hull, G. (2017). Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities, (7th ed). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
López, G., Orchowski, L. M., Reddy, M. K., Nargiso, J., & Johnson, J. E. (2021). A review of research-supported group treatments for drug use disorders. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 16(1), 1-21. Web.
Majer, J. M., Jason, L. A., & Bobak, T. J. (2022). Understanding recovery Capital in relation to categorical 12-Step involvement and abstinence social support. Addiction Research & Theory, 30(3), 207-212. Web.