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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Carran, Charles A. 1992 - THE EVALUATION OF A FAMILY SUPPORT INITIATIVE:
The evaluation of the Family Support Initiative Demonstration Project had the purpose of determining whether this innovative initiative was successful in achieving its goals and objectives. This Family Support Initiative employed intensive case management services in attempting to help welfare dependent families achieve self-sufficiency with corresponding benefits to society through reduced public assistance expenditures.
The initiative was implemented at three selected sites in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which were within the community action agency network. The Pennsylvania Directors Association for Community Action designed the initiative and the evaluation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs was the funding source. This evaluation involved the joint use of process and impact measures and employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies within the framework of a "Before and After" research design. This research design was utilized because there were no control groups. The design consisted of a pre-test and post-test of the treatment group only. Specific measures utilized were a compilation of demographic characteristics of participant families, self-sufficiency goal attainment levels, socioeconomic benefits and an analysis of the service delivery process.
The analysis of the service delivery process employed an anthropological approach. A comprehensive general interview guide was developed and administered to three key informants who were immersed in the service delivery process. This provided a holistic understanding of service provision. This anthropological approach was utilized because qualitative approaches are specifically suitable for studying program process. The findings of this evaluation showed that the target group was reached, self-sufficiency goal attainment levels were relatively high, significant socioeconomic benefits were accrued and the program was implemented successfully at the three service sites.
In conclusion, the utilization of an intensive case management approach
within the Community Action Agency framework produced successful results
and has the potential to produce even greater long term benefits to both
low income families and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Statewide
implementation of the Family Support Initiative is recommended on the
finding of this evaluation that the program would generate tremendous
benefits through achievement of self-sufficiency by welfare dependent
families.
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