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Management of Human Service Programs
Judith A. Lewis , Michael D. Lewis , Thomas R. Packard , and Jr., Federico Souflee Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0534368867 |
Book Description
Covering the most important issues facing managers and administrators in human service agencies in the 21st Century, this thoroughly updated and revised edition is the most current text on the market. The authors provide an overview of the managerial and leadership functions that a successful manager or administrator in the human services needs to understand. Practical in its approach, the book introduces students to the theory and practice of managerial and leadership functions and provides important guidelines for working within agencies. This text is useful for readers already in the workforce as managers and administrators, as well as for students who will be entering human service agencies.
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Designing and Managing Programs: An Effectiveness-Based Approach (SAGE Sourcebooks for the Human Services)
Peter M. Kettner , Robert M. Moroney , and Larry Martin Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0803932618 |
Book Description
How can you design effective social programs, programs that successfully address the needs of those they serve? Designing and Managing Programs offers practitioners and administrators step-by-step instructions for designing, implementing, managing, and assessing social programs. Written in a clear and accessible style, the authors first address the problem of identifying the need for specific social programs (and how to make informed decisions as to whether or not a program is, in fact, needed). They thoroughly discuss program design, setting goals and objectives, developing and managing budgets, administration, service delivery processes, and program evaluation. In addition, they provide a useful case illustration of hypothetical private, nonprofit, mid-sized, and multiservice agencies. Designing and Managing Programs is an ideal resource for administrators and experienced practitioners looking to create an effective social program. "A well-organized discussion of an effectiveness-oriented approach to social service program design, management, and evaluation. Liberal use of examples, tables, and figures adds additional clarity to a precisely stated, straightforward exposition that walks the reader through all the basic steps of a highly systematic approach. . . . Provides guidance to the process of understanding social problems, assessing needs, selecting appropriate intervention strategies, setting goals and objectives, designing programs, creating an information system, calculating costs, quantitative monitoring, and evaluating program effectiveness. Since effectiveness is an extremely valuable program quality and the authors' descriptions are highly sensitive, the book represents a valuable resource. . . . Essentially, it is a cookbook approach in which Step A must be completed before Step B, and each of the remaining activities follow from completion to the previous one. This is a very good cookbook." --Community AlternativesCustomer Reviews:
think of the programs as experiments.......2007-06-11
Book review.......2006-03-23
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Foundations of Empowerment Evaluation
David M. Fetterman Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 080395669X |
Book Description
"This timely addition to a new genre of evaluation methodology eschews the objectivity of an external evaluation in favor of internal value-driven assessments that advance the goal of self-improvement through self-determination. Fetterman offers down-to-earth, clearly written descriptions and explanations of an approach that reconciles the contingencies of organizational practice with the standards and principles of evaluation accountability. He adroitly bridges the gap between the subjectivity of self-evaluation and the objectivity of external evaluation by showing with case examples and detailed methods, forms, and narrative why empowerment evaluation extends the reach of standard evaluation practice."
--Dennis Mithaug, Teacher’s College, Columbia University
What is empowerment evaluation? When is it the most appropriate approach to use in an evaluation? How can it best be implemented? Aimed at demystifying empowerment evaluation, the book shows readers when to use this form of evaluation and how to more effectively use its three steps (developing a mission statement; taking stock by identifying and prioritizing the most significant program activities; and, charting a course for future strategies to accomplish program goals). Fetterman also illustrates the steps with four case examples, ranging from hospital to educational settings. In addition, he covers: how to use empowerment evaluation to meet the standards developed by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation; the caveats and concerns about the use of empowerment evaluation; the relationship between collaborative, participatory, stakeholder, and utilization-focused evaluation with empowerment evaluation; the role of the Internet in disseminating empowerment evaluation; and, an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and conditions of empowerment evaluation. This book will guide evaluators exploration of their roles as coaches, facilitators and advocates as well as enable them to more effectively use this innovative evaluation technique.
Customer Reviews:
Empowerment Evaluation Need Empowerment.......2001-05-10
I also bring to Fetterman's book a growing discomfort with traditional, empiricist research and program evaluation. My colleagues have been working for several years with different Native American tribes and have learned first-hand why research is so often considered a dirty word in Indain Country. At best, positivist research and evaluation are usually irrelevant to the experience and concerns of Native peoples, at worst it contributes to their continued subjugation by reinforcing negative stereotypes. I therefore come to Fetterman's book with a keen interest in research and evaluation which in itself is a benefit to the participants.
Empowerment evaluation, as articulated by Fetterman, is located within "the larger context of emancipatory research" (Fetterman, 2001, p. 110) and specifically action research. Empowerment evaluation differs from action research, however, because it is "explicitly driven by the concept of self-determination" and collaboration at every level of the agency, program, or community being evaluated (p. 11). Within that framework, empowerment evaluation helps people analyze their programs using self-evaluation and self-reflection. In contrast with some program assessments conducted by outside evaluators, empowerment evaluation is not an endpoint but in integral part of program development and improvement (p. 3). As a result, empowerment evaluation "ideally helps organizations internalize evaluation principles and practices, making evaluation an integral part of program planning" (p. 35). Not surprisingly, Fetterman equates using empowerment evaluation with teaching participants to fish.
The methodology of empowerment evaluation is deceptively simple. First, gather everyone involved in the program together, from clients to workers, to administrators, to funders. The empowerment evaluator then acts as a coach or facilitator, who leads the group through three activities: 1) explicate the mission of vision of the program; 2) take stock of each program activity, rating how well each is doing; and 3) plan for the future by setting goals, strategies for reaching the goals, and documentation to be used to track progress. Because empowerment evaluation is ideally an ongoing process, the first time through these steps forms the baseline for monitoring future progress.
Methodologically, the obvious potential weakness of empowerment evaluation is the possibility of generating self-serving, `sugar-coated' results (p. 5-6). "An outside evaluator charged with monitoring the progress can help keep the effort credible, useful, and on track, providing additional rigor, reality checks, and quality controls throughout the evaluation" (Fetterman, 2001, p. 6). This task is operationalized during the ranking phase, for example, when the empowerment evaluator questions each individual's ranking of each activity, asking for specific documentation of why the rating is no higher and no lower than they have indicated. Additional rigor is gained, according to Fetterman, by indicating that people can change their ratings at any time. Mostly, however, Fetterman argues that trustworthiness flows from the nature of the group (the insistence on democratic participation of clients, workers, and administrators), and the group process itself which he claims comes to conclusions which are more realistic than the conclusions of external evaluators (pp. 32-33).
Unfortunately Fetterman's organization and writing of this volume does little to support his claim that empowerment evaluation is rigorous and inherently trustworthy. In terms of organization, note that the two quotes I used to locate empowerment evaluation within research and evaluation traditions were separated by 100 pages. Repeatedly, ideas and concepts are partially developed in one place, only to be modified or more fully defined/described much later. In many ways, this review has made Fetterman's book more comprehensible than it is. For example, I stated previously that when participants rank program activities they must provide documentation. Fetterman, however, discusses ranking on page 29, but waits 60 pages (almost half the book) to mention that "documentation is always required to support a high or low rating about a program assessment, and is scrutinized." (p. 93).
In addition, Fetterman's writing often confuses or obscures important points. The trustworthiness of empowerment evaluation rests in large part on including the perspective of every stakeholder and participant in the program, from clients to administrators. Fetterman, unfortunately, uses the term program participants variously, mostly to refer to paid employees, but occasionally also to include clients (e.g. pp. 3, 34, &146). As a result we are never sure who he is talking about participating in what aspect of the evaluation. Similarly, Fetterman refers to "outside evaluators" both as the `coaches' who help participants throughout the process and, in other places, as people not otherwise involved in any aspect of the evaluation. Consequently when Fetterman writes that "An outside evaluator charged ... can help keep the effort credible, useful, and on track" (2001, p. 6), I have no idea who is responsible for this crucial methodological function.
Finally, Fetterman states that the trustworthiness and utility of empowerment evaluation flow, in large measure, from use of baseline data and repeated empowerment evaluation sessions. Though Fetterman devotes more than a third of his book to case examples, every one of those examples is of an initial evaluation, never a follow-up session. Because Fetterman (belatedly) admits that empowerment evaluation "takes more time than most traditional evaluations (p. 145), I am left wondering if follow up is ever conducted.
The disorganization of the book unfortunately contributes to an impression that empowerment evaluation is methodologically less rigorous than I believe it really is. Fetterman thus undermines the very evaluation methodology which he passionately believes in and espouses.
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Empowerment Evaluation: Knowledge and Tools for Self-Assessment and Accountability
Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 076190025X Release Date: 1995-10-25 |
Book Description
"This valuable edited volume provides the foundations of empowerment evaluation by outlining its philosophy, theoretical frameworks, useful tools, basic steps, and lessons learned." --The Evaluation Exchange Short version of copy This outstanding group of evaluators from academia, government, nonprofits, and foundations explores empowerment evaluation, a method for using evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings to foster improvement and self-determination. Empowerment Evaluation begins with an in-depth examination of this type of evaluation as it has been adopted in academic and foundation settings. The book then highlights the role empowerment evaluation has played in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' substance abuse prevention programs. The contributors also provide down-to-earth tools and technical assistance needed to conduct empowerment evaluation. This volume concludes with themes that emerge from the chapters and recommendations concerning next steps. This serves to strengthen the links between empowerment evaluation and community capacity building. Long version of copy This outstanding group of evaluators from academia, government, nonprofits, and foundations explores empowerment evaluation, a method for using evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings to foster improvement and self-determination. Empowerment Evaluation begins with an in-depth examination of this type of evaluation as it has been adopted in academic and foundation settings. The book then focuses on the various contexts in which empowerment evaluation is conducted, ranging from resistant environments (in which significant effort is required to move from passive-compliance orientations) to responsive environments (that already have a tradition of self-determination and community organizing). Interesting highlights concerning the role empowerment evaluation has played in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' substance abuse prevention programs are detailed throughout the book. The contributors also provide down-to-earth tools and technical assistance needed to conduct empowerment evaluation. This volume concludes with themes that emerge from the chapters and recommendations concerning next steps. This serves to strengthen the links between empowerment evaluation and community capacity building. Empowerment Evaluation is of special interest to students and professionals in evaluation, research methods, education, sociology, psychology, marketing, educational administration, management, public health and substance abuse. This book gives readers down-to-earth tools and the technical assistance needed to conduct empowerment evaluation.
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Hearing Conservation Programs: Practical Guidelines for Success
Julia Royster , and Larry H. Royster Manufacturer: CRC ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items: ASIN: 0873713079 |
Book Description
Save your workers' hearing and save your company money by making your hearing conservation programs (HCPs) more effective. This unique, easy-to-read book provides the essentials for creating an effective hearing conservation program, details how to best organize your people to get the job done, and identifies the specific aspects within each phase of your program that spell the difference between success and failure. New procedures are described that allow management to identify problems and solve them to achieve a more cost-effective HCP. The book also discusses audiometric database analysis, presents valuable information for dealing with workers' compensation issues - both preventing claims and defending against them, and includes checklists and checklist summaries to assist you with a practical implementation of a hearing conservation program in your company. The ideas and information presented in this book are based on the authors' 35 years of combined experience in assisting industries implement effective HCPs, in addition to field studies at hundreds of industrial sites. This book will be especially valuable for management professionals, industrial hygienists, safety professionals, audiologists, plant engineers, company lawyers, personnel directors, occupational health nurses, occupational physicians, noise control engineers, workers, and others who are interested in hearing conservation in the workplace.
Customer Reviews:
Beginning a Hearing Conservation Program.......2000-05-13
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The Integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Life, and Wellness Services
Manufacturer: Haworth Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0789030624 |
Book Description
A state-of-the-art review of human services programs in the workplaceFrom their roots in the occupational alcohol programs in the 1940s, human services programs within organizations have grown exponentially. However, the seamless integration of each facet of those expanding programs into a cohesive whole has proven to be a major challenge. The Integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Life, and Wellness Services presents a comprehensive cross-section of experienced professionals who discuss their efforts to fully integrate employee assistance, work/life, and wellness services. This in-depth examination of concepts and practical application of integrated programs in sponsoring organizations provides practical strategies to make your own organization's human services more useful, and therefore help employees be more productive. The latest research is clearly presented, with a wide-ranging review of current program models in notable organizations that illustrates exactly what is most effective in the field of work-based human services.
The Integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Life, and Wellness Services provides a beneficial perspective on the present state of employee assistance, work/life and wellness services in the workplace, and then takes a detailed look at the economics of integration with a value-benefit analysis. Other chapters include program models at various organizations presented by the professionals fully involved in their implementation. Integration strategies are carefully described for academic settings; external service providers; internal programs; hybrid models; and the public sector. An in-depth critical analysis of integration, its effectiveness, and its real value is presented, along with a chapter on the future of the integration of work-based human services programs. The text is extensively referenced with helpful tables and diagrams to enhance clarity of ideas.
The Integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Life, and Wellness Services examines the unique aspects of integrated programs at:
University of Arizona
Johns Hopkins University
University of California-Berkeley
Motorola
Wells Fargo
Ceridian
Ernst and Young
Fairview Hospital
US House of Representatives, State of Minnesota EAP
Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe The Integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Life, and Wellness Services is essential reading for all Human Relations Professionals particularly those connected with their EAP, work/life, and wellness services, as well as students in related fields.
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The Encyclopedia Of Restaurant Training: A Complete Ready-to-Use Training Program for All Positions in the Food Service Industry
Douglas Robert Brown , and Lora Arduser Manufacturer: Atlantic Publishing Company (FL) ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0910627347 |
Book Description
Training is an investment for the future, the only foundation on which success can be built. Training delivers excellence in product and performance, elevating a good restaurant into a great one.Training will keep the skills of its employees and management sharp. But in no other industry is its absence or presence as obvious as it is in the food service industry. It is hard to find good, qualified employees, and even harder to keep them. In addition, unemployment levels are low, and competition for qualified workers is tough. What's the answer? Training!
Constant training and re-enforcement keeps employees and management sharp and focused, and demonstrates the company cares enough to spend time and subsequently money on them. And that's precisely what this new encyclopedic book will do for you - be your new training manager.
This is an encyclopedic out of the box employee training program for all positions in the food service industry. From orientating the new employee, maintaining performance standards, to detailed training outlines and checklists for all positions. This book will show you how to train your employees in all positions in the shortest amount of time, and lets you get back to your own job of running a profitable enterprise.
One of the best features of this book is that the companion CD ROM contains the training outline for all positions in MS word, so you can easily customize the text for your own use. In addition there are numerous training forms, checklists, and tests. The first part of the book will teach you how to develop training programs for food service employees, and how to train the trainer. The book is full of training tips, tactics and how tos that will show you proper presentation, and how to keep learners motivated both during and after the training. The second part of the book details specific job descriptions and detailed job performance skills for every position in a food service operation, from the general manager to dishwasher. There are study guides and tests for all positions. Some of the positions include General Manager, Kitchen Manager, Server, Dishwasher, Line Cook, Prep Cook, Bus Person, Host/Hostess, Bartender, Wine & Alcohol Service, Kitchen Steward, Food Safety, Employee Safety, Hotel Positions, etc. Specific instructions are provided for using equipment as well.
Customer Reviews:
Very useful material.......2007-09-15
Easily tailored forms and a must for any food service operation.......2007-03-16
Must-have for anyone preparing for a career in food service.......2005-02-03
A Complete package for the Food Service Industry.......2004-06-27
Review From Book News Inc........2004-06-18
This book/CD-ROM resource for new and veteran food service operators offers advice, practical guidelines, and ready-to-use forms, templates, checklists, and training aids for dealing with the issues, tasks, and situations that food service operators face everyday. The material may be used as is, or adapted for any food service application. Material is organized into 11 sections on food safety, kitchen management, bar and beverage management, general management, menu management, employee training, human resources, inventory control, financial management, catering and banquets, and hotel management. Forms contained in the book can be customized and printed from the companion CD-ROM.
Jane Erskine
Editor, Book News Inc.
5739 NE Sumner Street
Portland, OR 97218
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The Good Corporate Citizen: A Practical Guide
Doris Rubenstein Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0471475653 |
Book Description
Corporate citizenship refers to the way a company integrates basic social values with everyday business practices, operations and policies. A corporate citizenship company understands that its own success is intertwined with societal health and well being. Therefore, it takes into account its impact on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and the natural environment.This handbook draws from the authors experience crafting and implementing philanthropic and volunteer strategies with companies such as IBM, Exxon, Mobil, 3M, and General Mills. A step-by-step primer on creating a comprehensive corporate citizenship program, The Good Corporate Citizen lays out how companies can maximize this exciting new trend.
Doris Rubenstein (Minneapolis, MN) has worked for over 25 years with some of Americas most respected nonprofit organizations.
Download Description
Corporate citizenship refers to the way a company integrates basic social values with everyday business practices, operations and policies. A corporate citizenship company understands that its own success is intertwined with societal health and well being. Therefore, it takes into account its impact on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and the natural environment.This handbook draws from the author's experience crafting and implementing philanthropic and volunteer strategies with companies such as IBM, Exxon, Mobil, 3M, and General Mills. A step-by-step primer on creating a comprehensive corporate citizenship program, The Good Corporate Citizen lays out how companies can maximize this exciting new trend.
Doris Rubenstein (Minneapolis, MN) has worked for over 25 years with some of America's most respected nonprofit organizations.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing like It!.......2005-03-29
A Handbook to Keep.......2004-09-25
Navigating Your Corporate Philanthropy Journey.......2004-08-31
Multiple uses.......2004-08-27
Every executive and business owner should read this book!.......2004-07-04
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Measuring the Performance of Human Service Programs (SAGE Human Services Guides)
Larry Martin , and Peter M. Kettner Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0803971354 |
Book Description
Government and nongovernment human service providers are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that their programs work. As stakeholders demand accountability, providers are turning to performance measurement as a way of demonstrating the efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of their programs. Measuring the Performance of Human Service Programs examines the reasons why performance measurement is rapidly becoming an essential component of human service management today. The authors explain in detail how to measure and assess programs with special emphasis on the various types of outcome measures including numeric accounts, standardized measures, level of functioning scales, and client satisfaction. As a special feature, the authors include a detailed case study with exercises to illustrate the book's concepts. Offering guidance on how to assess client outcomes, this comprehensive volume will be ideal for social work researchers and administrators.
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Serving Those in Need : A Handbook for Managing Faith-Based Human Services Organizations
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0787942960 |
Book Description
Given the increased pressures and higher demand on social-service organizations, faith-based providers must find ways to increase their effectiveness while maintaining their religious distinctiveness. Serving Those in Need provides practical answers for those engaged in the delivery of human and social services. The editor and contributors draw from their deep commitment to faith, from a sense that religion plays a powerfully important role in people's lives and in our public life. For those who view service to others as a means of realizing their faith, this book will be tremendously useful.Customer Reviews:
Excellent resource.......2002-11-07
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