Program Development

Program Development Plan

Abstract

There are five steps in order for a counseling agency to be effective, comprehensive, systematic, and sequential. To plan and implement an effective evaluation program, it is helpful to follow a sequential process. The first step is a needs assessment, which is methods or approaches used to determine if there is a need for a certain program or intervention. The second step is identifying program goals and performance objectives by identifying current program strengths, limitations, and resources and prioritize within that framework. The third step is designing and implementing a program. To be successful, a program needs "a well-developed plan that integrates content, methods, resources, services, marketing, and evaluation" (Gladding and Newsome, 2010). The fourth step is design and implementation, which is revising and improving the program. The fifth and final step is assessing the program's effectiveness in relation to the stated goals and objectives. This evaluation involves many people, including service providers, administrators, clients, and the community but all can help determine the nature of effective practices. Because this learner lives in Montana and there is a need for mental health services for Native Americans, her focus will be on the Native American Population.

The community this learner currently lives in is Great Falls, MT and as of 2010, the population in Cascade County is over 58,000 people and has grown 3.2% since 2000 (Great Falls, MT, 2012). The race is mostly white with 86%, with Native Americans with 4.7%, Hispanic with 3.4%, and 1% blacks. Great Falls has a majority of white people. According to Area Connect, 2000, there are 48% Male and 51% Female. The crime rate in Great Falls is less than the United States average; however, we do have a lot of thefts and drugs that happen in this area. The reason for some of these thefts could be because the median household income is below the state average. The biggest issue this learner thinks needs to be addressed is the Native American population being understood during their mental health services by learning their belief systems and what is effective for them.

Step 1-Needs Assessment: According to the Missoulian Newspaper, 2011, Montana has over 11,000 Native Americans whom are members of the Blackfeet, Crow, Sioux, Chippewa, and Cheyenne tribes. Montana is not as diverse as other states however Native American's make up a big part of the population so this learner believes that it is important to understand their culture because she will be doing her counseling in Montana. This learner understands that as Montana becomes more diverse, it will be critical for her to develop awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to interact successfully with people from different backgrounds. Most counselors don't understand the importance of the Native American culture and how counseling them correctly can benefit the overall population and help them succeed and recover from their mental illness. Most Native American's don't want to get counseling because they don't feel that counselors understand their beliefs and can work with them in their way. This learner sees this as a problem that needs to be addressed in her community.

Step 2- Identifying program goals and objectives in terms of measurable objectives related to prevention, education, wellness, resilience, and advocacy with diverse populations: "Medicine, harmony, relation, and vision as key aspects of Native American spirituality. Medicine has to do with the aliveness of everything. Harmony includes the view that everything has purpose. Relation is important in that all things are connected. Vision includes the ability to respect the medicine of all things. Vision in this sense relates directly to counseling and the ethics of counseling because it has to do with acceptance, respect for autonomy, and willingness to step outside of one's own experience to try to understand another's experience without superimposing one's own values, beliefs, and perspectives. A counselor who has at least a basic understanding of these aspects is more likely to be able to work effectively with a range of Native American clients and to gain a fuller understanding of other aspects of their experiences" (Rybak, Eastin, Carol, Robbins, 2004). As far as getting terminal and ultimate program outcomes, the counselor needs to have measurable performance objectives and by doing so, the counselor should formulate goals and objectives and to identify current program strengths, limitations, and resources and prioritize within that framework.

Step 3-Design and Implement the program: Understanding Native American healing practices