NCJ Number
165142
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the 1992 evaluations of 15 Florida local substance abuse treatment projects funded through the Florida Department of Community Affairs through the Federal Anti- drug Abuse Act.
Abstract
A descriptive evaluation methodology was prepared by the evaluation team and adapted to the unique characteristics of each of the 15 programs. New data were collected and analyzed when possible; necessary existing data were assessed; and project staff and community stakeholders were interviewed for their perceptions of program strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation framework provided for the review of five basic aspects of project performance: program design, program management, service area coverage accountability, service delivery accountability, and program outcomes. This report summarizes the overall observations and conclusions of the evaluation in each of the aforementioned areas. Overall, program staff and community respondents estimated that approximately half of the clients served benefited from treatment. Although observations were based on personal experience over time, there was apparently a consensus that this level of "success" is acceptable program performance. Most of the projects evaluated were perceived by staff and community key informants as "successful." The evaluation team advises that post hoc descriptive evaluations provide only a limited, cross-sectional glance at a dynamic service delivery process. Carefully designed and controlled longitudinal evaluations will provide more information about ongoing program operations and will be sufficiently robust to support more definitive conclusions on program design and efficacy. 16 figures