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Program Evaluation Plan Part 2: The Research Design
COUN6965 & Applied Research Evaluation in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Capella University
, 2
Program Evaluation Plan Part 2: The Research Design
The purpose of this assignment is to both identify and discuss techniques and models
utilized for a better understanding of the program New Beginnings. This hybrid program is for
women in transitional housing that suffer from mental health, substance use or co-occurring
disorders in addition to career development issues. The design evaluation for this program is
more straightforward and forthcoming that additional resources are needed for this population to
be more effective and efficient. Some examples that will be utilized for this group include a
single group design, questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and case studies that are already being
implemented in other facilities or programs throughout the nation. There is also a need for
additional back work for this program evaluation in order for it to be both effective and efficient
for the prospective clients/population.
Evaluation of New Beginnings
Homeless women are already experiencing the hardships of not having stable housing,
financial stability, and job opportunities, but also may be suffering from mental health
disorders/substance use issues. With budget cuts from the government, resources and centers are
becoming either overpopulated or lack the assistance the individuals need along with staff to aid
with their presenting issues. Many homeless women may not have a relationship with their
family unit or have a sense of embarrassment about their situation which results in them
becoming a more vulnerable group that will not ask for help. This results in homeless women
either turning to substances, not seeking help for mental health/substance use issues, becoming
uncompliant with medication adherence and isolating themselves from others that can help them
with their current situations. To combat this rising issue, the proposed homeless women group,
New Beginnings, will focus on women that are homeless (transitional housing), unemployed and
, 3
suffer from mental health/substance use issues.
New Beginnings will be in the format as a delivery of a face-to-face unit model that will
allow individuals effective and efficient engagement in twelve-week sessions. Each session will
consist of approximately 15-20 women, a graduate student who will co-lead each group about
two times a week for three hours and a licensed counselor. Upon completion of this program,
individuals will receive job placement opportunities and on-site job coaching skills from either
the counselor or graduate student that should lead to higher success rates of employment
longevity and decreased the turnover rate. Included in this program for the women, will be
individual counseling sessions and support group meetings on a different topic each week. For
example, one week may work on substance use issues, while another week will focus on career
development to better assist the individuals with job opportunities. New Beginnings will together
as a cohesive unit to process any feelings that they are having, talk about their experiences and
issues they are facing, and provide each other with emotional positive support to each other.
Individuals will also learn additional positive coping skills, employment skills and harm
reduction techniques which will result in the participants to work through their feelings, mental
health/substance use issues, have a “safe” space to go to, and positive support from other
members of the group.
The program will need to enlist the assistance of Director of Operations or Directors of
Outreach in nearby/local homeless shelters for women with informational pamphlets and
informational guides about New Beginnings along with information with resources for clothing,
food, or other necessities. If the upper management of the shelters agree to disperse the
information, it should also be given to all staff, case managers, social workers, and placed
throughout the facilities. The staff can gather a list of individuals that are interested in the
Program Evaluation Plan Part 2: The Research Design
COUN6965 & Applied Research Evaluation in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Capella University
, 2
Program Evaluation Plan Part 2: The Research Design
The purpose of this assignment is to both identify and discuss techniques and models
utilized for a better understanding of the program New Beginnings. This hybrid program is for
women in transitional housing that suffer from mental health, substance use or co-occurring
disorders in addition to career development issues. The design evaluation for this program is
more straightforward and forthcoming that additional resources are needed for this population to
be more effective and efficient. Some examples that will be utilized for this group include a
single group design, questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and case studies that are already being
implemented in other facilities or programs throughout the nation. There is also a need for
additional back work for this program evaluation in order for it to be both effective and efficient
for the prospective clients/population.
Evaluation of New Beginnings
Homeless women are already experiencing the hardships of not having stable housing,
financial stability, and job opportunities, but also may be suffering from mental health
disorders/substance use issues. With budget cuts from the government, resources and centers are
becoming either overpopulated or lack the assistance the individuals need along with staff to aid
with their presenting issues. Many homeless women may not have a relationship with their
family unit or have a sense of embarrassment about their situation which results in them
becoming a more vulnerable group that will not ask for help. This results in homeless women
either turning to substances, not seeking help for mental health/substance use issues, becoming
uncompliant with medication adherence and isolating themselves from others that can help them
with their current situations. To combat this rising issue, the proposed homeless women group,
New Beginnings, will focus on women that are homeless (transitional housing), unemployed and
, 3
suffer from mental health/substance use issues.
New Beginnings will be in the format as a delivery of a face-to-face unit model that will
allow individuals effective and efficient engagement in twelve-week sessions. Each session will
consist of approximately 15-20 women, a graduate student who will co-lead each group about
two times a week for three hours and a licensed counselor. Upon completion of this program,
individuals will receive job placement opportunities and on-site job coaching skills from either
the counselor or graduate student that should lead to higher success rates of employment
longevity and decreased the turnover rate. Included in this program for the women, will be
individual counseling sessions and support group meetings on a different topic each week. For
example, one week may work on substance use issues, while another week will focus on career
development to better assist the individuals with job opportunities. New Beginnings will together
as a cohesive unit to process any feelings that they are having, talk about their experiences and
issues they are facing, and provide each other with emotional positive support to each other.
Individuals will also learn additional positive coping skills, employment skills and harm
reduction techniques which will result in the participants to work through their feelings, mental
health/substance use issues, have a “safe” space to go to, and positive support from other
members of the group.
The program will need to enlist the assistance of Director of Operations or Directors of
Outreach in nearby/local homeless shelters for women with informational pamphlets and
informational guides about New Beginnings along with information with resources for clothing,
food, or other necessities. If the upper management of the shelters agree to disperse the
information, it should also be given to all staff, case managers, social workers, and placed
throughout the facilities. The staff can gather a list of individuals that are interested in the
