Week #13: Reading Blog - Twylaa

Kirst-Ashman: Evaluating Macro Practice

The chapter Evaluating Macro Practice, focused on the importance of Evaluation at a macro level for social workers. The chapter broke down the learning content revolved around program evaluation. This was done by explaining how to recognize the context of program evaluation; how to utilize the concepts that are important in the process; using program evaluation research to inform practice; successfully identifying barriers and problems in completing evaluations; ways to describe and analyze different models of evaluation; utilizing the stages and steps in performing an evaluation; demonstrating effective professional communication when presenting data; and best ways to make ethical decisions in evaluation that are based upon the values and ethics of the NASW Code of Ethics.

Evaluation is a process that is essential in determining whether a given change effort was worthwhile. The evaluation process measures a variety of factors within a program, such as: finances, time spent serving clients, number of clients served, who uses the services and when, who is being affected by the services, how the program is being ran, and outcomes. The key purpose of program evaluation is to ensure continued funding, services to clients and employment for self and staff. Performing evaluations helps us determine if any improvements need to be made within the program and if so were. It also allows us to know if the program is doing what it set forth to do, and which services within the program produces the best outcomes. Each year’s evaluation allows you to build support for continuing to provide clients with an effective program.

There are two types of evaluations, formative and summative. Formative evaluations focus on monitoring the process and summative evaluations focus on the impact. Evaluations can either be used to measure the effectiveness of an intervention or its efficiency. The type of evaluation one chooses is usually determined by the program being evaluated. This also corresponds with the kinds of research and research tools used to gather data. Evaluation at the macro level can be viewed from different perspectives; one can look at the effectiveness of specific programs. Another evaluation could be evaluating your own success as a macro practice social worker. Last but not least an evaluation may also focus on outcome explanation. When explaining how the outcome was achieved the evaluation is geared towards the process rather than the outcome. It does not matter which evaluation you may be performing, they all come to a conclusion about what we are doing. The end conclusion may concern the effectiveness, cost, relationships between events, or several other factors.

Although, conducting an evaluation on your program is the key to keeping it up and going, it does not come easy. As a social worker you will run into problems and barriers in program evaluation. In this chapter six common problems and barriers are discussed; which include: failure to plan for evaluation, lack of program stability, relationships between evaluation results that are not accepted, and evaluations that are not worth the effort.

Knowing the stages and steps to follow in evaluating a macro intervention can stop you from running into so many problems and barriers. The seven steps discussed are: conceptualization and goal setting, measurement, sampling, design, data gathering, data analysis, and data presentation. Following these steps is ones guide to successfully performing and evaluation. Last but not least the chapter focused on the Ethics and Values in evaluation. One factor that stood out to me was that as a social worker you should be well versed with the NASW Code of Ethics when conducted an evaluation.

Looking at the JVL community and thinking about the possible interventions that can be put into place to address the issues and concerns the community faces; I now know just how important it will be to evaluate the programs. If we plan to bring about any small change that can help the community we must plan to collect data on the program to determine its effectiveness as well as its efficiency.  This information can determine whether a program continues or is abandoned. 

Week #12: Class Reading/News Article - Susanna

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/8/chris-schaefer-ferguson-protester-supporter-beaten/


This article is about Chris Schaefer, a senior at UMSL, and his run in with Ferguson protestors. Schaefer was attending a church meeting to discuss what to do for future protests as an advocate of the Ferguson community. Unfortunately, despite his initiative to brainstorm future demonstration plans, five "fellow protestors" jumped Schaefer and attacked him. They did this while outside of the church where the meeting was held and video taped it for live streaming. They eventually pointed to the street and told him to run. He ran in to a Walgreens, where they called 911. The protestors are supposedly from a group called "Lost Voices." It is not clear if Schaefer provoked any of them.


​This article interests me for two particular reasons:
1. - This story reminds us of the difference between organized advocacy and disorderly conduct.
I like to think of the protestors in Ferguson in a positive light, as I think a large majority of them would like to see that justice be done and want the best for their city. I think the protestors have been viewed in a really poor light and projected in the media only as troublemakers, which is such a shame during a season bolstered with self-advocacy and civil rights. As a white American, I think it is my duty to remain empathetic and humble to what black Americans go through every day.
However, there is a stark difference between positive activism and harming another. From an outsiders point of view, seeing as how Schaefer seemed concerned for the needs of the city by being at this meeting, he should have been considered on the same side of justice as the ones who attacked him. However in this specific situation, the five "protestors" are concerned less with justice and more with their own anger. These kinds of actions produce negative consequences and could make it more difficult for individuals like Schaefer to have empathy. Fortunately, I was pleased to see his understanding that not all protestors are unified and that these five do not necessarily represent the majority.


2. - Schaefer is from UMSL. This is significant for me as someone who also goes there and is studying the community of Ferguson. It is a good reminder that while I make efforts to open up my heart to the city and continue to exemplify empathy for them, that I should also remain safe. Being radical in our serving as social workers does not always mean letting our guard down completely. It is always important for us to maintain a balance -- free from stereotype, but cautious and careful.

Week #12: News Article Blog - Ali

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_5c4bf2a6-656e-11e4-8e1e-7f1a0a77fbca.html​

This article stood out to me because I did not know that this “open enrollment” for Medicare existed. This open enrollment allows for the aged and people with disabilities to reevaluate their Medicare plan to ensure that it still fits the needs that they have. They can review what has been changed (plan costs or coverage) to make sure that they are choosing the right plan. This article says that Medicare has a “star rating” that allows people to compare plans and then decide what is best for them.

 This article also is informing readers that the Medicare Advantage Plan and Part D (prescription drug plan) are being higher rated. This higher rate increases the level of care and better customer service to their enrollees. I think this is a great thing because people’s needs change all of the time. If this open enrollment did not exist people would be stuck with the same help regardless of their challenges or issues. This gives people and families a way to compare what different plans are, the cost, and coverage options and revaluate the help that they need.

Week #11: News Article - Kylee

http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/10/28/359323899/some-st-louis-teachers-address-ferguson-with-lessons-on-race

 

Some St. Louis Teachers Address Ferguson With Lessons On Race

 

I first heard about this series as it was discussed on National Public Radio.  We have all discussed and thought about the concerns and present movement within the Ferguson area surrounding the death of Michael Brown.  I found myself thinking each time I read a news article or heard a news report, what are children thinking? What is being said at school?  I thought this article was a great answer to those questions.  Some teachers are using this tragedy as an open forum to discuss and teach about race in a different more meaningful way.  Flewell, one of the teachers quoted in this transcript talks about a disturbing incident that he endured while on his way to an event to assist teachers in discussing racial understanding and healing.  On his way to the event an older white male pulled up next to his vehicle and makes a gun shape with his hand and points it at Flewell and said, bang, bang, seven times.  This made me cringe when I heard and read this. Flewell was frustrated.  But this did not stop him from attending the night’s event.  Flewell has been openly discussing racial and class concerns in his classroom.   Other individuals have different thoughts about discussing uncomfortable issues with school aged children.  I really agreed with what the Riverview Gardens High School has implemented.  They have a nonviolent training that some of the teenagers at the school have attended.  This was an opportunity not only for the children to discuss difficult racial conversations, but it also allowed them to begin to process the impending verdict.   These conversations are difficult but I’ve said in other blogs that I really feel open communication and education is the first step in beginning to process racial divides.  I’m glad there are schools and teachers out their discussing difficult issues in the world.  Any thoughts?  

Week #11: Reading Blog - Kylee

Spiraling Up- Mapping Community Transformations with Community Capitals Framework

 

​This article was very interesting to me as I currently live in a rural community.  The article began by discussing the National Rural Funders Collaboration (NRFC) in 2001 call for “reversingthe pattern of neglect and disinvestments in rural America.” This call to action brought together three not for profitorganizations to collaborate as the Home Town Competitiveness(HTC). HTC was one of five collaborations formed and funded by the NRFC to work on rural development.  The three organizations that made up the HTC were Heartland Center for Community Leadership Development, RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, and Nebraska Community Foundation.  While each of the organizations brought different skills to the plan they worked collaboratively toward common goals.  The organization’s leaders had connections to Nebraska, had worked with one another in the past, and had reputations of being effective.  As the three groups became one under HTC they had already established high levels of bonding and bridging their own social capital.

​The HTC formulated a four part plan to aid in the area of rural community development.  They wanted to increases philanthropy by directing rural wealth transfers to community foundations, include community youth in roles of leadership, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, increases local leadership in the community and strengthen local economies by building on local assets.  The NRFC began the funding for the project.  NRFC as well as the HTC, used the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) to document and analyze how community capitals were used in transforming a community that was spiraling downward toward a “spiraling-up” in the community.  Spiraling down and Spiraling up are situations that correspondto the theory of cumulative causation.  Basically, if things are going downhill then they will continue to decline.  Vice Versa spiraling up, represents the idea that if assets are gained and growth occurs it will affect other areas of life and continue to positively change.  

​The CCF offers a way to analyze community and economic developments from a systems perspective and allows for an understanding of how different capitals interact and effect one another.  The NRFC analysis includes seven capitals including: natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial, and built capitals.  This article focused on human, social and financialcapitals and how they affected one another in one of the first rurally explored communities of Valley County, Nebraska.

​Through the analysis of the CCF, HTC identified social capital as a starting point for community change in Valley County, Nebraska.  Before jumping right in HTC reviewed data and identified that the Valley community had population decreases and concerns of underemployment of individuals in the area over the years.  The community had established an economic growth council but little growth was happening.  The community welcomed the chance to work with HTC.  HTC worked with the community and community leaders.  Together they established strategies they wanted to work toward to improve their community.  They agreed that they would worktoward leadership development, entrepreneurship, youth, and wealth transfer.

​As HTC and the community worked toward their established goals through training and education the community began to witness an increase in social, human, financial and cultural capitals.   As leadership grew and expanded they were building their social capital in their community.  This in turn also began bridging the human capital with others in the community including youth.  Youth were encouraged to participate and programs were created with the local high school to sustain this growth in the community.   As community involvement increased and people became interested, moreinvolved, and attached to the community their cultural capitalincreased.  Local business and community stake holders began investing in the community, increasing the financial capital.  The financial and social capital was also affected by investors and relationships that were formed with businesses outside of the community to assist in sustainability.  While the focus was on increasing social, human, financial and cultural capitals the positive outcome from increasing each area affected other areas of capital as well.  This assisted in growth for the community as a whole. 

​Two main impacts came from the analysis of this project using the CCF.  The first is HTC facilitated the growth of the social capital to engage the community and form partnerships.  The CCF also uncovered the importance of transforming the community’s perception in to a more positive view.   

​The CCF allows for communities to be studied in a more systematic and holistic way.  It enables us to see the interactions of different capitals that the CCF established and how they affect one another.  This information also assists in providing and problem solving strategies for change.  Through the study of HTC we can see that the flow of assets positively affected theinvolvement and commitment in the community.  

I thought this study was interesting.  I think it definitely shows the correlation and link between different areas of the community.  It was also a good example of how each aspect of a community can directly affect one another for better or worse.  

   

Week #10: News Article - Twylaa

“Governor Nixon creates Ferguson Commission to ‘strengthen region’”

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_8db99672-5966-11e4-a30a-0fab54bfb73a.html

This article highlights, what I thought of as a very positive change to address the socioeconomic issues revealed in the Ferguson community following the killing of Michael Brown. Govener Nixon has planned to create a Ferguson Commission to study these issues and aim towards effectively addressing them. As many people are well aware of the killing of Michael Brown is not the key issue in this community, his death only sparked the many challenges surrounding social injustice faced by African Americans all over the world.

Nixon’s goal is to bring together a commission of 15 members from “all walks of life.” The members focus will be to serve their fellow Missouri citizens, when they need them the most. The Ferguson Commission would include, your everyday citizens, as well as empowered leaders in business, education, public safety and faith communities. The commission would be responsible for looking into socioeconomic factors; education, population trends and other data to successfully unveil the issues and implement positive change in the future. Governor Nixon says the work of the commission will take time but ultimately changes within our society will be made, and people will be angry and their will be conflict as well as fear and distrust. These emotions are expected considering the fact that change is not easily accepted especially when things have been the same for so long.

What I valued most about this article and Nixon’s effort to make a change, was his concern with reaching the youth and getting their view on issues and hearing their voices in the process of creating a more united region.

However, some have suggested that Governor Nixon’s action to strengthen the region is only a way to “pacify” the African-American community if Wilson were not to be indicted. Ferguson protestors are also not too convinced by Nixon’s actions to bring about change within their community. They question his motive and whose needs is he really claiming to address. Some have even expressed that they are far from hopeful.

I am not too familiar with Governor Nixon’s ability to carry out the promises made, so I cannot say that I understand the concerns of the Ferguson protestors. However, I can say that if Nixon does put together a commission and announce the names next month; I feel that he is putting forth an effort to support the African-American community in Ferguson, and we should try to be open minded to the idea. 

Week #10: Reading Blog - Ali

The Role of Community- Based Organizations

​This article discusses the differences in between different types of community- based organizations (CBOs). This article discusses community development corporations (CDCs) and local development corporations (LDCs) and how they operate and have effect and outcomes within a community. It also talks about how neighborhood associations, youth organizations, and faith-based organizations and how they help maintain quality and improve communities. This article first discusses how CBOs are more effective in regards to community action. These authors say how they create power, provide continuity, help develop expertise, and improve ability for residents to respond more quickly to problems. One large advantage that these authors discuss about CBOs is that they have the advantage of local social networks. The networks provide resources and information in order for programs can take off and run smoothly. Having social networks within the community definitely seem like it would be a huge advantage because you are getting the inside scoop of what the community wants/needs.

​CDCs primary goal according to these authors is to serve low-income communities and empower residents. CDCs specifically deal with housing projects and building houses for low-income areas. This article discusses the three generations of CDCs. These three generations include the Activist Organizations (1960s), Specialization (1970s), and Professionalization (1980s and 1990s). Although there are three generations these three all focus on housing projects. Although in the third generation the authors discussed more the organizations having more of a professional staff than the activists that were in the original generation. There are debates over CDCs as well though. Even though they are doing great things, they are not without flaws. These authors say they rely too heavily on external sources for financing. This being said their focus then shifts from the needs of the community and itsresidents to focusing on that financial gain. Another criticism is they focus too heavily on housing projects. Yes, this is a need, but there are plenty more areas at this point in time that need to be addressed. Some of those things that the authors said were workforce development and social service deliveries. These things are what are in more demand now. 

​LDCs make it easier to conduct economic development activities over local governments. These authors talk about three main advantages of LDCs over local governments. 1) Provide a one-stop shop for businesses unlike local governments. 2) Provide stronger and longer lasting relationships in which will help develop policies that have more of a reflection of the communities interests rather than outsiders. 3) Provide more in order to promote development of the community. “LCDs are simply a legal device to accomplish many of these goals for communities.”

​When these authors discussed the neighborhood associations I immediately thought of North Grand Neighborhood Services. They defined neighborhood associations as, “a civic organization oriented toward maintaining or improving the quality of life in a geographically delimited residential area.” I think that these are great ways to get the community involved especially on the issues the residents deem the most important. This article discusses why residents become involved in neighborhood associations and one was the longevity of the residents living in the neighborhood and wanting to protect the value of their homes. After attending the JVL block meeting this factor makes even more sense to me. Seeing the people at the meeting who have lived their there whole lives want the best for where they live, not just for themselves but for their neighbors as well.  

​Youth organizations and faith-based organizations were the last two items in this article. I think that after reading both of these sections it strengthened what I already knew about youth organizations but not the faith-based organizations. This article reveals that participation in youth organizations increases success in their lives (academic, life skills, etc.). The shocking part to me was that this article says less than 15% of CDCs are faith-based. This was surprising to me because of all the work of the churches in JVL that I have witnessed. JVL’s faith-based organizations show great accomplishment and I was surprised to see that the percentage was not higher.