Discussion 1: Program Evaluation: Benefits and Concerns of Stakeholders

Dudley (2009) points out that social work practice is usually embedded in programs. While you looked at practice evaluation using single-subject design in Week 3, this week, you shift focus to program evaluation. Program evaluation serves many purposes, including accountability to funders and to the public. Often, funding sources such as government agencies or private foundations requires periodic program evaluations. These evaluations can help provide answers to many different questions, and can contribute to improvement of services. There are a variety of program evaluation models that are appropriate for addressing different questions as well as facilitating the collection and analysis of many different types of data.

To prepare for this Discussion, identify a program within an agency with which you are familiar, which could benefit from process evaluation and outcome evaluation. You do not need to identify the agency in your post. Also, review the different evaluation models highlighted in this week's resources (needs assessment, program monitoring, client satisfaction study, outcome evaluation, or cost benefit study).

• Post a brief summary of the program that you selected. Recommend a program evaluation model that would answer a question relevant to the program.

• Explain the potential benefits of the program evaluation that you proposed (both process and outcome).

• Identify 2-3 concerns that stakeholders might have about your proposed evaluation and how you would address those concerns.

• Then explain 2-3 concerns that stakeholders may have about your proposed program evaluation and how you would address those concerns.

References (use 2 or more): Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do.(2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.

• Chapter 1, "Evaluation and Social Work: Making the Connection" (pp. 1-26)

• Chapter 4, "Common Types of Evaluations" (pp. 71-89)

• Chapter 5, "Focusing an Evaluation" (pp. 90-105)

Discussion 2: Ethics and the Law

When working with clients, it is important to maintain professional boundaries to safeguard both you and your clients. Legislation such as HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are specific in how you as a social worker should protect client information and safeguard confidentiality. Responding ethically in a professional situation may be clear in most situations, but not necessarily in allsituations. Even though you have established laws and code of ethics to guide your decision-making process, you may still face ethical conflicts.

For this Discussion, review the media of the Bradley case and consider how the case relates to social work professional ethics.

• Post the strategy you would use to address the Teen First director's request if you were the social worker in the Bradley case.

• Then, describe a hypothetical situation in which an organization's decision conflicts with your personal/professional ethics but remains within the law. Explain how you would respond to this situation, and why.

References (use 3 or more): Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice(4th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.

• Chapter 12, "Addressing Ethics in Leadership" (pp. 273-300)

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Chapter 16, "Leadership Ethics" (pp. 423-449)

Stephenson, M. O., Jr. (2011). Considering the relationships among social conflict, social imaginaries, resilience, and community-based organization leadership. Ecology and Society, 16(1).

National Association of Social Workers. (2014). Code of ethics.

Discussion 3: Reflections on Ethical Leadership

What does it mean to be an ethical leader? How is ethical leadership demonstrated in social work practice? As a leader in the social work profession, you have to achieve a balance between your professional and personal ethics. At times, these may be aligned with each other, but there may be situations in which they conflict. Because leadership includes value and moral dimensions, your character, actions, and goals as a social work administrator should reflect ethical leadership.

For this Discussion, consider the characteristics of ethical leadership and the challenges associated with practicing ethical leadership.

• Post your definition of ethical leadership as it relates to the social work profession.

• Explain what it means to be an ethical leader and describe the challenges of being an ethical leader.

References (2 or more): Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice(4th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.

• Chapter 12, "Addressing Ethics in Leadership" (pp. 273-300)

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Chapter 16, "Leadership Ethics" (pp. 423-449)

National Association of Social Workers. (2014). Code of ethics.