Program Development and Service Delivery

Program Development and Service Delivery​​1

Program Development and Service Delivery

Author Chassica B. Fraley

Capella University

Treatment for the dual diagnosed can be effective. Recovery for dual diagnosed individuals combines the most successful aspects of mental health care and substance abuse treatment. The level of care provided is based on the extent of substance abuse and the severity of their psychiatric condition or mental illness. Clinicians providing effective treatment and therapy understand the need to personalize each case while addressing specific disorders as well as the history of addictive diseases. This paper discussed the program development and service delivery of a dual diagnose program.

The dual diagnosed is a sub population in any given community. One would use a systematic process to address the differences between current conditions and desired conditions. According to Erford (2014), the needs assessment helps the professional counselor to understand the various needs of sub populations of a community. The needs assessment identifies and prioritized the clinical needs of this population (Calley, 2009). As part of a planning process, the needs assessment is used for improvement in individuals, education or training, organizations, or communities. It clarifies problems while identifying interventions. As a result of conducting or performing a needs assessment, the professional is guided with the design, implementation, and evaluation of a program.

​After effectively justifying the program, conducting research is necessary to establish an empirical foundation for the program. A data driven needs assessment is the appropriate model to use with this clientele. This assessment systematically gathers data related to substance abuse and mental health issues, as well as consequences and conditions related to the community. Examining community risk conditions and identifying conditions that can protect against those risks is also included in the data. The data driven needs assessment assists prevention practitioners with integrating data concerning the nature and distribution of substances and mental health and the related consequences into their assessment activities, to effectively and efficiently use prevention resources. Gathering data can be done by method of using existing evaluations and outcomes of study. Data is gathered from professional associations, governmental bodies, and other entities with knowledge of the problem (Calley, 2009). According to Erford (2014), the content must be topical rather than service related.

The principle of program development and service delivery is converting identified needs to goals and objectives. Goals and objectives describe the outcome in measurable terms. According to Erford (2014), the needs must be prioritized first in order of importance and their relationship to existing components of the program. Second, needs must be matched or translated into goals aligned with the program mission and standards. Lastly, goals are operationalized through the development of learning objectives (Erford, 2014).

The application of principles, models, and needs assessment results drive program modification through accountability. Programs and services must be held accountable to provide evidence for the success of outlined objectives. Program evaluations, service