SOCW 6311 Week 7 Discussion: Using a Logic Model to Focus Interventions and Achieve Desired Outcomes

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Logic models are valuable tools both for practice and for program evaluation. They enhance purpose and focus in social work, and they help social workers examine assumptions about what clients need, how to address those needs, and what may change if those needs are fulfilled.

This week, you practice creating a logic model and using that model to help in the developmental stages of a program. You develop a number of models: one for a program with which you are familiar and models at both the practice and program levels for a case study.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Create a logic model for a practitioner-level social work intervention

· Generate a theory of change for a practitioner-level social work intervention

· Create a logic model for a social work program

· Generate a theory of change for a social work program

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.) Oxford University Press.

· Chapter 6, “Needs Assessments” (pp. 115–143)

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Read the following section:

· “The Petrakis Family”

Document: Randolph, K. A. (2010). Logic models. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp. 547–562). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF)

Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

United Way of America. (1996). Excerpts from Measuring program outcomes: A practical approach. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20130514153340/http://www.unitedwayslo.org/ComImpacFund/10/Excerpts_Outcomes.pdf

Document: Week 7: Developing A Logic Model Outline Assignment Handout (Word document)

Optional Resources

Donorfio, L. K. M., Vetter, R., & Vracevic, M. (2010). Effects of three caregiver interventions: Support, educational literature, and creative movement. Journal of Women & Aging, 22(1), 61–75

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Larsen, M., Tax, C., & Botuck, S. (2009). Standardizing practice at a victim services organization: A case analysis illustrating the role of evaluation. Administration in Social Work, 33(4), 439–449.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Discussion: Using a Logic Model to Focus Interventions and Achieve Desired Outcomes

In social work practice and in program development, it is possible to make faulty assumptions about what clients need and what social work activities will lead to. Consider the following:

A team of social workers meets to discuss their services to low-income young mothers. One social worker states that what the young mothers need most is information about community resources. She proposes that the social workers’ activities consist of making referrals to programs for public assistance for income support, food stamps, medical insurance, employment agencies, and educational resources. However, another team member points out that most clients are referred to their program from the public welfare office and health care programs. This suggests that the clients tend to possess knowledge of these common resources and have been able to access them.

How might the team explore what problems bring the clients to their agency? What might the team learn from client assessments? How can the team verify the desired outcomes of their services? Developing a logic model will help the team see a logical connection between problems, needs, intervention activities, and corresponding outcomes. This series of logical connections leads to formulating a theory of change, that is, a theory about how our work leads to the outcomes for clients.

To prepare for this Discussion, imagine that you are part of a work group charged with creating a logic model and generating a theory of change. Select a practitioner-level intervention for which you are interested in analyzing connections. Consider how a logic model might be applied to that practice.

Provide a 500-word Discussion Post: 

· A logic model and theory of change for a practitioner-level intervention.

· Describe the types of problems, the client needs, and the underlying causes of problems and unmet needs.

· Identify the short- and long-term outcomes that you think would represent an improved condition.

· Then describe interventions that would lead to a change in the presenting conditions.

·

Must contain at least 3 references and citations sources from this week’s Reading Requirements being sure to search for and cite resources that inform your views.