A state-of-the-art guide for developing grants witha strong emphasis on using program outcome measurement to underscore need and accountability Based on the authors' many years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, Effective Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Human Service Professionals integrates the topics of grant proposal writing and program evaluation, offering grant seekers the practical guidance they need to develop quality proposals, obtain funding, and demonstrate service results and accountability. The authors clearly and succinctly illustrate and describe each stage of the grant writing and evaluation process. Problems or issues that arise frequently are highlighted and followed by specific advice. In addition, numerous real-world examples and exercises are included throughout the book to give readers the opportunity for reflection and practice. This timely reference incorporates a strengths perspective, providing: An inside look at the grant writing and evaluation processes, with insights from experienced grant writers, agency administrators, foundation program managers, and grant reviewers Specific examples of successful grant proposals and evaluation plans and instruments serving as models for learning and practice Field-tested individual and group exercises that facilitate the development of grant writing and evaluation skills Discussion of electronic technology in grant writing and evaluation, including writing and submitting grant proposals online, and identifying funding sources This grant writing and program evaluation guide follows a needs-driven, evidence-based, result-oriented, and client-centered perspective. Its authoritative discussion equips human service professionals to effectively develop grants with a strong emphasis on measuring program outcomes.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments xi About the Authors xiii About the Contributors xv Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Purpose of This Book 1 The Organization and Approaches Used for This Book 2 Grant Writing and Program Evaluation: Outcomes and Evidence 4 Grant Proposal and Performance Measures 4 Evidence-Based Practice 5 Defining Program and Program Planning 6 What Is a Program? 6 What Is Program Planning? 7 The Ethics and Secret Handshake of Grant Writing and Program Evaluation 7 Chapter 2 Community and Target Population, Service Providers, and Funding Sources 11 The Good Idea Program 12 What Is a Community? 13 Macro Practice, Grant Writing, and Program Evaluations 14 Target Populations and Needs 15 Service Providers 17 Professional Insight 2.1: Agency Administrator to Get Support for Service Projects 19 Funding Sources 21 Government 22 Professional Insight 2.2: Important Suggestions Related to State or Federal Grant Funds 24 Foundations 27 Professional Insight 2.3: Ten Tips on Successful Grant Seeking 28 Chapter 3 Basic Research Methods and Program Evaluation 31 Program Evaluation: A Practice of Social Research 32 Research Question 33 Developing a Research Question 33 Ethical Considerations 34 Research Designs 38 Qualitative and Quantitative Research 38 Inductive and Deductive Learning 39 Four Major Types of Research Designs 40 Exploratory Designs 40 Descriptive Designs 41 Experimental Designs 43 Evaluative Research Design 46 A Mixed Approach 47 Validity and Reliability 47 Professional Insight 3.1: What Is “Self-Determination” All About? 48 Validity 49 Internal and External Validity 51 Reliability 52 The Relationship between Validity and Reliability 53 Causation and Correlation 53 Correlation and Association 55 Sampling 56 Probability Sampling (Random Sampling) 57 Nonprobability Sampling (Nonrandom Sampling) 59 Sample Size: How Many Is Needed? 60 Data Collection and Instruments 61 Data Analysis 63 Four Levels of Measurement 63 Dependent and Independent Variables 67 Statistics 68 Chapter 4 Program Planning and Evaluation 73 Needs Assessment 74 Define Needs Assessment 75 Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation 75 Purpose of the Needs Assessment 76 Key Steps in Designing a Needs Assessment 77 Program Planning Formula 83 Why, Who/Whom, What, Where, When 83 How and How Much 85 Evaluation 85 Logic Model as a Tool for Planning and Evaluation and Theory of Change 86 Theory of Change 86 Logic Model 87 Chapter 5 Grant Proposal Writing: Beginning with the End in Mind 99 Grant and Contract 100 Request for Proposal, Request for Application, and Program Announcement 101 Letter of Intent/Letter of Inquiry 105 Getting Ready, Logic Model, and Program Planning and Evaluation Worksheet 105 Key Components of a Grant Proposal 107 Abstract: Write Last, Read First, Most Frequently Used 109 A Roadmap for Your Proposal 110 Specific Aims: A Summary of Purpose and Results 111 Target Population: To Whom It May Concern 117 Approaches and Methods: What, Why, When, Where, Who, and How 118 Agency Capacities and Project Management: The Service Providers and Program Management 124 Budget and Budget Justifications: Program Plan in Dollars and Cents 128 Evaluation Plan: Tell the Stories—Successes and Challenges 134 Proposal Reviews 134 Professional Insight 5.1: A Reviewer’s Perspective on Preparing Proposals 136 Chapter 6 Program Evaluation 139 The Level of Rigor 140 Outcome-Focused Evaluation 142 Empowerment Evaluation 142 Outcome-Focused Empowerment Evaluation 143 Indicators 143 Data Source 144 Instrument Type and Method of Evaluation 145 Bringing Together the Indicator, Data Source, and Instrument Type 148 Evaluation Section of a Proposal 148 Evaluation Questions 149 Methodology 149 Targets for Success 150 Evaluation Worksheet and Evaluation Plan 150 Beyond the Grant Proposal 152 Select/Develop Instruments 153 Professional Insight 6.1: Tips for Anticipating Criticism and Planning Accordingly 160 Getting Prepared for Data Collection 162 Planning for Data Analysis 164 Reporting Evaluation Results 165 Turning Your Data into an Evaluation Report 165 Chapter 7 Learning by Doing: Exercises, Templates, Samples, Checklists, and Training Ideas 169 Samples and Self-Help Materials 170 Section I: Needs Assessment 171 Section II: Results Terminology and Logic Model 183 Section III: Grant Application 188 Section IV: Program Planning and Evaluation 191 Section V: Instrument Development 195 Section VI: Evaluation Plan 208 Section VII: Interactive Group Activities 211 Professional Insight 7.1: Program Improvement 215 Chapter 8 Real-Life Samples 219 Grant Proposals 219 A Coordinated Approach to Youth: Prevention and Intervention Services in Sun Town 220 Mandarin Chinese Class in Your School’s Proposals 229 Evaluation Plans 232 Evaluation Plan Sample 232 Domestic Violence Prevention Program: Together with Services (TWS) 237 Chapter 9 Application of Information Technology 247 Information Technology 247 Funding Sources 247 Grant Applications: Going Green 249 Referencing Information Technology Sources 251 Evaluation Methods and Technology 252 Electronic Surveys 252 Database Software 253 Finding the Information Technology 254 Author Index 257 Subject Index 259