Comparative Approaches to Program Planning

by Netting, F. Ellen; O'Connor, Mary Katherine; Fauri, David P.

• ISBN13: 9780470126417
• ISBN10: 0470126418
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-08
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

"As a practitioner in the field for over thirty years, I have been exposed to endless 'planning' sessions that are prescriptive to the point of being oppressive. Thistext 'gives permission' to the practitioner to allow for emergence, uncertainty, and ambiguity in the planning process. Comparative Approaches to Program Planning provides a guide for the manager, administrator, executive director, strategic planner, and CEO to embrace multiple planning strategies and the understanding of each. This is extremely worthwhile in a dynamic environment and an ever- changing landscape and worldview." -Paul D. McWhinney, ACSW, Director of Social Services City of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia "This is the book I've been waiting for. It provides not only a linear approach to program design, but gives language to the tacit knowledge many planners have of the circular nature of their work. Both linear and circular thinking are important to planning processes and now we have a resource for teaching." -Jon E. Singletary, PhD, MSW, MDiv, Baylor University, School of Social Work The first text on program planning to guide readers in selecting program planning approaches appropriate to setting, culture, and context Valuable for students and practitioners in the social work, public administration, nonprofit management, and community psychology fields, Comparative Approaches to Program Planning provides practical and creative ways to effectively conduct program planning within human service organizations. Written by leaders in the social work education community, this innovative book explores program planning as a multi-layered and complex process. It examines both a traditional linear problem-solving model as well as an alternative emergent approach to program planning, helping professionals to successfully develop and enact effective and culturally competent planning in organizations and communities.

Author Biography

F. Ellen Netting, PHD, is the Samuel S. Wurtzel Endowed Chair and Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches in the PhD, MSW, and BSW programs.

Mary Katherine O'Connor, PHD, is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches in the PhD and MSW programs.

David P. Fauri, PHD, is a Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where he teaches in the PhD, MSW, and BSW programs.

Table of Contents

Differences Between Lines And Circles

Lines and Circles as Planning Metaphors

A Brief History of Lines & Circles

Science and Reason

Positivism vs

Interpretivism

Rational and Nonrational Thought

Rational & Nonrational Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Planning Theory (Both Lines and Circles)

Examples of Planning Approaches

The "Surety" of the Line and the "Tentativeness" of the Circle

A Conceptual Framework

Summary

Discussion Questions

Programs -- Containers For Idea Implementation

Programs and Projects

Services and Interventions

Programs and Projects

Services and Interventions

Programs in Organizational Context

Program Planning

Mandates & Initiatives

Planning Different Types of Programs

Summary

Discussion Questions

Rational Planning And Prescriptive Approaches

Case: The Mayor and the Street Educators

Introduction

History of Rational Planning and Prescriptive Approaches

Dimensions of Rational Planning and Prescriptive Approaches

The Logic Model

Assessing Needs

Defining and Analyzing Problems

Selecting Intervention Strategies

Writing Goals and Objectives

Program Design and Decision-Making

Accountability in a Prescriptive Approach

Accountability Challenges

Information Systems

Budgeting

Rational Planning

Mind Sets

Skills

Strengths and Challenges of Rational Planning

Summary

Discussion Questions

Interpretive Planning And Emergent Approaches

Case: The Invisible People and the Area Agency on Aging

Introduction

History of Interpretive Planning and Emergent Approaches

Dimensions of Interpretive Planning and Emergent Approaches

The Logic of Emergence

Engagement

Discovery

Sensemaking

Unfolding

Accountability in an Emergent Approach

Accountability Challenge

Accountability Options

Interpretive Planning

Mind Sets

Skills

Strengths and Challenges of Interpretive Planning

Summary

Discussion Questions

Knowing When To Use What Planning Approach

An Example: AIDS Orphans and the Pig Intervention

Similarities in Planning Approach Challenges

Gaining Entry

Becoming Oriented

Engaging in Critical Thinking

Making Ethical Decisions

Comparing Program Planning Approaches

Comparing Dimensions

Examining Accountability

Thinking about Mindsets and Skills

Decision Issues for Approach Selection

Summary

Discussion Questions

Appendix

Program Planning In Diverse Cultural Contexts

Culture and Context

Defining Culture

Elements in Culture Development

Cultural Competence

Skills of the Culturally Competent

Challenges to Culturally Competent Human Service Programming

Understanding Empiricism

Recognizing Realism and Rationalism

Responding to Accountability Demands

Cultural Competence and Program Planning

Planning with Sensitivity to Difference

Differences within the Mainstream.&

Within-Group Differences

Planning with Sensitivity to Inclusion

Planning with Sensitivity to Context

Planning Across Multiple Organizational Settings

Issues when Practicing Internationally

Conclusion

Exercises

Glossary

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.