Program Development

1
Program Development Logic Model

• Designing, developing, and evaluating non-profit
  programs

2
Program Development/Logic Model

• When developing a new program, it is especially
  important that an organization address a few key
  points when applying for funds to finance the
  program. The following guidelines cover these
  crucial steps, which include
• Assessment of community needs
• Program design
• Performance measurement
• Program evaluation

3
Community Needs Assessment

• Before designing a program, it is recommended
  that an organization conduct a community needs
  assessment to determine that the program is
  addressing a need that exists in the community.
  In order to get an accurate picture, this
  assessment should involve people representing
  various aspects of the community. In gathering
  research, the following questions may serve as a
  guideline
• Who does the problem affect? How many people are
  affected?
• How is this problem addressed in other locations
  affected by it? What has and has not worked?
• Is this problem already being addressed in this
  community? How?
• Continued

4
Community Needs Assessment Continued

• A new program should not be replicating services
  already provided in the community. If the needs
  assessment determines that the problem is already
  being addressed adequately by other organizations
  in the community, it may be best to narrow or
  broaden the programs approach to address the
  problem in a unique manner.
• Visit other organizations addressing the problem,
  in the community or not, to assess what
  approaches do and do not work, and how services
  can be improved upon.

5
Program Design

• Some basic qualities of a good program are that
  it
• Describes and gives evidence of a community need
  that can be addressed.
• Identifies a gap in services available in the
  community which address the need.
• Explains why this program is an appropriate
  strategy to meet the need.
• Outlines the activities of program members in
  addressing the need.
• Establishes community partnerships in the process
  of addressing the community need.
• Anticipates the positive outcome of the program
  in the community.
• Defines the method of measuring results (see the
  following section on Performance Measurement).

6
The Logic Model

• A recommended method of program design is to use
  a logic model to plan and evaluate the proposed
  program. A logic model is a depiction of the
  processes and targeted outcomes of the program.
  This should help the organization to specify
  goals, identify what resources are needed,
  identify indicators of progress and measurements
  of success, and communicate the programs
  potential value.

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The Logic Model Components

• The components of a basic logic model include
• Needs The community need as identified in the
  Community Needs Assessment.
• Inputs The resources needed to complete
  activities.
• Activities What staff, volunteers, etc. actually
  do.
• Outputs A measurement of the actual amount of
  service completed.
• Intermediate Outcomes Measurable change and
  improvements in the programs constituents and/or
  community.
• End Outcomes The target changes that the
  organization hopes to achieve in the programs
  constituents and/or community.

8
Sample Logic Model
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Performance Measurement

• The purpose of performance measures is to capture
  the ongoing progress the program is making. It
  should provide a snapshot of the impact of the
  work that the organization is doing. This is an
  especially important step in establishing
  accountability to any funder. Identify all of the
  services the organization provides and the likely
  impact these services will have on the community.

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Performance Measurement Tracking Tools

• Determine tracking tools for use in measuring the
  results of services offered. These measures
  should focus on goal outputs and outcomes, as
  identified by the community needs assessment and
  defined by the programs logic model. The
  measures should be in quantifiable terms and
  clearly defined.
• A good guide for determining performance measures
  is the acronym SMART. They should be
• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely

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Program Evaluation

• The program evaluation should be an analytical
  study which measures the progress and impact the
  program has made. Evaluations should be scheduled
  and carried out throughout the course of the
  program. This should consist of thorough and
  objective research conducted by an experienced
  evaluator, starting at the beginning of the
  program year. Resources for finding a program
  evaluator include colleges and universities,
  research firms, and community organizations. The
  evaluator should collect data relevant to the
  programs activities and programs and evaluate
  the organizations impact.
• The organization should be consistently involved
  in the evaluation process and should adjust the
  programs offered according to performance
  measures and program evaluations in order to best
  serve the community.

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Final Note

• Program development is a complicated process,
  about which this resource offers only a brief
  overview. For more information on program
  development and the logic model, please refer to
  the resources listed on the following slide.

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Additional Resources

• CNCS Program Toolkit http//nationalserviceresour
  ces.org/filemanager/download/online/sustainability
  _toolkit.pdf
• Logic Models http//www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evalu
  ation/powerpt/nutritionconf05.ppt
• Logic Model Development Guide http//www.wkkf.org
  /Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub3669.pdf
• Logic Model - University of Idaho
  http//www.uidaho.edu/extension/LogicModel.pdf