PSY FPX 5140 Assessment 1 Needs Assessment Document: OutReach Community Program

PSY FPX 5140 Assessment 1 Needs Assessment Document: OutReach Community Program

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 5140 Program Evaluation

Prof. Name:

Date

Needs Analysis

Needs Assessment Document: OutReach Community Program

This document proposes a needs assessment for the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, which serves Dane County, Wisconsin. Conducting a needs assessment is essential for identifying potential gaps that may prevent the organization from achieving its goals. This paper outlines the participant stakeholders, suggests evaluation procedures, provides a cost/benefit analysis, and addresses ethical considerations.

Program Stakeholders and Outcomes

The OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center is a non-profit organization committed to promoting equity and improving the quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals (OutReach, n.d.). The center offers community-building resources, health and human services, and advocates for social justice. Their programs range from HIV prevention to domestic violence support, and they have established partnerships with local and federal nonprofit organizations such as Diverse & Resilient and NAMI. Key stakeholders include service recipients, staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and the board of directors. Successful outcomes are evaluated based on service utilization, advocacy achievements, and community support.

Program Procedures

A logic model is proposed to analyze the procedures of the OutReach program, which includes inputs (resources), activities, outputs, and outcomes (Royse et al., 2016). Inputs consist of financial and human resources, while activities include event planning, counseling sessions, and advocacy efforts. Outputs refer to program materials and events, while outcomes pertain to participants’ health and community engagement.

Proposed Program Evaluation

The evaluation aims to assess program promotion, alignment with mission values, and participant satisfaction. Evaluation points will include the effectiveness of self-promotion, alignment between staff and board, and the perceived value of services. The findings will guide program improvements and ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations.

Cost/Benefit Analysis of Proposed Program Evaluation

Financial data sourced from ProPublica (2021) provides insights into OutReach’s revenue sources, expenses, and program costs. Major expense categories include health services, outreach, senior advocacy, and HIV prevention. A comparison with similar organizations can yield insights into cost efficiency.

Ethical Considerations

Program evaluators must address potential conflicts of interest and ethical considerations. Strategies to mitigate risks include maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring data protection, and adhering to ethical guidelines established by the American Evaluation Association (2018) and the American Psychological Association (2017).

Conclusion

The OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center is crucial in promoting equality and delivering essential services to the LGBTQ+ community in Dane County. Conducting a comprehensive evaluation will support ongoing improvement and ensure the program’s continued success in meeting the needs of its stakeholders.

References

American Evaluation Association. (2018). Guiding principles. https://www.eval.org/About/Guiding-Principles

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.html

PSY FPX 5140 Assessment 1 Needs Assessment Document: OutReach Community Program

King, J. A., & Stevahn, L. A. (2014). Interactive evaluation practice: Mastering the interpersonal dynamics of program evaluation (1st ed.). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452269979

OutReach. (n.d.). Home. OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center. https://www.outreachmadisonlgbt.org/home

Royse, D., Thyer, B. A., & Padgett, D. K. (2016). Program evaluation: An introduction to an evidence-based approach (6th ed.). Cengage.

Appendix: Stakeholder Analysis

The LGBTQ+ Community Center, as described by OutReach (n.d.), encompasses a variety of stakeholders, each with unique interests and expectations. This analysis categorizes stakeholders into four primary groups, each with its specific concerns and priorities.

Recipients of Services

This group primarily consists of youth and adults within the LGBTQ+ community, who expect timely, informative, and supportive services from the organization. Privacy and anonymity are essential considerations for these stakeholders, necessitating careful safeguarding by the organization.

Staff and Volunteers

This group is responsible for administrative duties, logistics, event planning, and fundraising. They are committed to providing care to participants, organizing events, and securing donations. Their focus is on maintaining the organization’s operations and ensuring the delivery of quality services.

Donors and Sponsors

Comprising businesses, corporations, governmental entities, and individual community donors, this group provides financial support to the organization. Their interest lies in the organization’s ongoing success and the appropriate use of funds to achieve its mission.

Board of Directors

The board consists of six individuals responsible for guiding the organization and strategic planning. They are invested in the long-term vision of the organization, ensuring ethical practices, and aligning with the mission of the OutReach Community Center. However, potential conflicts may arise, both between staff and the board and within the board itself, particularly when faced with controversial decisions.

To commence the information-gathering phase of the program evaluation, an in-person meeting at a neutral location, such as a hotel or public library, is recommended. During this meeting, an interactive strategy that encourages stakeholders to voice their viewpoints and beliefs will be employed, allowing for discussion, interpretation, and questioning of various aspects of the program (King & Stevahn, 2014). This approach fosters an inclusive environment and facilitates direct interaction among all key stakeholders.

PSY FPX 5140 Assessment 1 Needs Assessment Document: OutReach Community Program

Additionally, a cooperative interview strategy will be utilized to uncover any concerns stakeholders may have, thereby promoting positive relationships, shared understandings, and progress assessment (King & Stevahn, 2014). The voicing variables strategy, which involves identifying potential barriers based on specific variables, will also facilitate discussion and provide a visual reference for all participants.

By conducting this in-person meeting, comprehensive insights from each stakeholder group can be documented. This documentation can highlight commonalities for progress or identify potential obstacles that may lead to conflicts.