Effective Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Human Service Professionals

by Francis K. O. Yuen (California State University, Sacramento ); Kenneth L. Terao (JBS International, Inc., Burlingame, CA ); Anna Marie Schmidt (JBS International, Inc., Burlingame, CA )

• ISBN13: 9780470564431
• ISBN10: 0470564431
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Effective Grant Writingand Program Evaluation for Human ServiceProfessionalsFrancis K. O. YuenKenneth L. TeraoAnna Marie SchmidtA state-of-the-art guide for developing grants witha strong emphasis on using program outcome measurementto underscore need and accountabilityBased on the authors' many years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, Effective Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Human Service Professionals integrates the topics of grant proposal writing and program evaluation, offering grant seekers the practical guidance they need to develop quality proposals, obtain funding, and demonstrate service results and accountability.The authors clearly and succinctly illustrate and describe each stage of the grant writing and evaluation process. Problems or issues that arise frequently are highlighted and followed by specific advice. In addition, numerous real-world examples and exercises are included throughout the book to give readers the opportunity for reflection and practice.This timely reference incorporates a strengths perspective, providing:An inside look at the grant writing and evaluation processes, with insights from experienced grant writers, agency administrators, foundation program managers, and grant reviewersSpecific examples of successful grant proposals and evaluation plans and instruments serving as models for learning and practiceField-tested individual and group exercises that facilitate the development of grant writing and evaluation skillsDiscussion of electronic technology in grant writing and evaluation, including writing and submitting grant proposals online, and identifying funding sourcesThis grant writing and program evaluation guide follows a needs-driven, evidence-based, result-oriented, and client-centered perspective. Its authoritative discussion equips human service professionals to effectively develop grants with a strong emphasis on measuring program outcomes.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Contributors

Introduction

Purpose of This Book

The Organization and Approaches Used for This Book

Grant Writing and Program Evaluation: Outcomes and Evidence

Grant Proposal and Performance Measures

Evidence-Based Practice

Defining Program and Program Planning

What Is a Program?

What Is Program Planning?

The Ethics and Secret Handshake of Grant Writing and Program Evaluation

Community and Target Population, Service Providers, and Funding Sources

The Good Idea Program

What Is a Community?

Macro Practice, Grant Writing, and Program Evaluations

Target Populations and Needs

Service Providers

Professional Insight 2.1: Agency Administrator to Get Support for Service Projects

Funding Sources

Government

Professional Insight 2.2: Important Suggestions Related to State or Federal Grant Funds

Foundations

Professional Insight 2.3: Ten Tips on Successful Grant Seeking

Basic Research Methods and Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation: A Practice of Social Research

Research Question

Developing a Research Question

Ethical Considerations

Research Designs

Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Inductive and Deductive Learning

Four Major Types of Research Designs

Exploratory Designs

Descriptive Designs

Experimental Designs

Evaluative Research Design

A Mixed Approach

Validity and Reliability

Professional Insight 3.1: What Is "Self-Determination" All About?

Validity

Internal and External Validity

Reliability

The Relationship between Validity and Reliability

Causation and Correlation

Correlation and Association

Sampling

Probability Sampling (Random Sampling)

Nonprobability Sampling (Nonrandom Sampling)

Sample Size: How Many Is Needed?

Data Collection and Instruments

Data Analysis

Four Levels of Measurement

Dependent and Independent Variables

Statistics

Program Planning and Evaluation

Needs Assessment

Define Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation

Purpose of the Needs Assessment

Key Steps in Designing a Needs Assessment

Program Planning Formula

Why, Who/Whom, What, Where, When

How and How Much

Evaluation

Logic Model as a Tool for Planning and Evaluation and Theory of Change

Theory of Change

Logic Model

Grant Proposal Writing: Beginning with the End in Mind

Grant and Contract

Request for Proposal, Request for Application, and Program Announcement

Letter of Intent/Letter of Inquiry

Getting Ready, Logic Model, and Program Planning and Evaluation Worksheet

Key Components of a Grant Proposal

Abstract: Write Last, Read First, Most Frequently Used

Table of Contents: A Roadmap for Your Proposal

Specific Aims: A Summary of Purpose and Results

Target Population: To Whom It May Concern

Approaches and Methods: What, Why, When, Where, Who, and How

Agency Capacities and Project Management: The Service Providers and Program Management

Budget and Budget Justifications: Program Plan in Dollars and Cents

Evaluation Plan: Tell the Stories-Successes and Challenges

Proposal Reviews

Professional Insight 5.1: A Reviewer's Perspective on Preparing Proposals

Program Evaluation

The Level of Rigor

Outcome-Focused Evaluation

Empowerment Evaluation

Outcome-Focused Empowerment Evaluation

Indicators

Data Source

Instrument Type and Method of Evaluation

Bringing Together the Indicator, Data Source, and Instrument Type

Evaluation Section of a Proposal

Evaluation Questions

Methodology

Targets for Success

Evaluation Worksheet and Evaluation Plan

Beyond the Grant Proposal

Select/Develop Instruments

Professional Insight 6.1: Tips for Anticipating Criticism and Planning Accordingly

Getting Prepared for Data Collection

Planning for Data Analysis

Reporting Evaluation Results

Turning Your Data into an Evaluation Report

Learning by Doing: Exercises, Templates, Samples, Checklists, and Training Ideas

Samples and Self-Help Materials

Needs Assessment

Results Terminology and Logic Model

Grant Application

Program Planning and Evaluation

Instrument Development

Evaluation Plan

Interactive Group Activities

Professional Insight 7.1: Program Improvement

Real-Life Samples

Grant Proposals

A Coordinated Approach to Youth: Prevention and Intervention Services in Sun Town

Mandarin Chinese Class in Your School's Proposals

Evaluation Plans

Evaluation Plan Sample

Domestic Violence Prevention Program: Together with Services (TWS)

Application of Information Technology

Information Technology

Funding Sources

Grant Applications: Going Green

Referencing Information Technology Sources

Evaluation Methods and Technology

Electronic Surveys

Database Software

Finding the Information Technology

Author Index

Subject Index

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