NCJ Number
54736
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A TAXONOMY OF TYPES OF SERVICE DELIVERY FOR SOCIAL AGENCIES IS DEVELOPED, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS OF OUTPUTS TO ANTICIPATED CLIENT OUTCOMES, COST ALLOCATION, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE TAXONOMY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FOUR TYPES: ONE TIME, SHORT-TERM SERVICES (SUCH AS CRISIS COUNSELING); LONG-TERM SERVICES OF STIPULATED DURATION (SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS); LONG-TERM SERVICES OF UNSPECIFIED DURATION WITH BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES (MENTAL HEALTH AND CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS); AND TERMINAL SERVICES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE RECIPIENT (METHADONE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS). EACH TYPE OF SERVICE HAS VASTLY DIFFERENT GOALS FOR THE CLIENT OUTCOME, AND EVALUATION EFFORTS SHOULD REFLECT THESE DIFFERING EXPECTATIONS. EVALUATION STANDARDS ARE DISCUSSED FOR THREE OUTPUT-OUTCOME RELATIONSHIPS: (1) THE VOLUME OF OUTPUT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE 1 UNIT OF OUTCOME OR 'PROPORTIONALITY'; (2) THE 'DETERMINACY' OF OUTPUT-OUTCOME RELATIONSHIPS; AND (3) THE TIME LAPSE BETWEEN OUTPUT AND EVIDENCE OF OUTCOME OR IMPACT. A TABLE SUMMARIZES THESE RELATIONSHIPS TO PROGRAM TYPE AND ANTICIPATED PROGRAM BENEFIT. METHODS OF ALLOCATING COSTS FOR THE DIFFERENT PROGRAM TYPES ARE DISCUSSED. THE FINAL SECTON EXAMINES THE TYPICAL CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM, A LONG-TERM SERVICE OF UNSPECIFIED DURATION WITH BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES. THESE ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE. THE ROLE OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS SOCIAL CHANGE AGENTS IS BRIEFLY DEBATED. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)