SOCW 6070 Wk 10 discussion 2 PEER responses Peer names then response separately to each peer provided  

Respond to at least two colleagues in at least one of the following ways:

Explain whether you agree with your colleague’s definition of success and method for evaluating success, and why.

Critique your colleague’s recommendation for improving the program’s effectiveness.

Peer 1

Emily Heare 

RE: Discussion – Week 10

Evaluation of CALWORKS Success 

The CalWorks program set up by the county used a three-way approach to providing ready cash assistance to the families in need (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014c). The method allowed families to choose what they thought would be the best path for them. At the beginning of the program, there was a great success. Over 40% of participates were able to stop receiving support (Plummer et al., 2014c). The most success came from the training and education part of the program. That part of the program was about 66% of the program’s success (Plummer et al., 2014c). The economic consequences of 2007-2011 had a significant impact on the program’s enrollment. While the numbers would suggest failure on the program’s part, the program could continue offering support, and all three of its options indicates that the program was still a success. 

Success Defined 

Overall success for this program could be measured by a decline in total participates. This measurement’s drawback is that it is subject to the economic pressures seen in 2007-2011 (Plummer et al., 2014c). A better measure would be the program’s ability to move participates out of the program, have them be successful, and not return to the program down the road. This is a sign of a successful and impactful program that gives participants the employment and skills needed to succeed. 

Improvement Recommendation

One improvement would be to increase the sanctions on those that do not choose to participate in Job Club or educational training. These increased sanctions could drive more enrollment into those programs. The funds from these increased sanctions could be used to help participates overcome any obstacles in getting a job or education, such as child care or transportation.

Reference

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014c). Social work case

studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities

Publishing [Vital Source e-reader].

Peer 2

Elizabeth Cope 

RE: Discussion – Week 10

Post an evaluation of the success of the CALWORKS program based on the information presented in the case study.

The CalWORKS program is a program funded by federal grants to help support families in need of assistance. This program began in 1996 with approximately 22,000 families in need. The program was able to place 10,000 of those clients in education settings, 9,000 clients at a place of employment, and 3,000 clients received reduced benefits because of their unwillingness to put forth effort in meeting their own needs. Within 11 years, the program was able to drop public assistance roles throughout the county by 40% or a drop of approximately 13,000 clients.

Be sure to define what success would be for the program and how you, as an administrator of the program, might evaluate whether success has been achieved.

This decrease in need of assistance from clients is a definite measure of success in my perspective. The fact that need rose during the economic downturn of 2007 – 2011 is not surprising. The quick 10% decrease in need after the economy got stronger shows the program continued to be successful with its clients. As an administrator, I would continue to follow families after they are no longer receiving benefits and collect that data to know whether they continue to be successful. The single mothers that are receiving the education benefits, are they using those classes to gain employment in those areas of specialty. Are the workers who chose job club moving up in rank in their companies or are they continuing to move from job to job. Just knowing extended data would tell me success of the program.

Finally, make one recommendation for improving the program’s effectiveness.

A recommendation for improving the program’s effectiveness would be not giving the option to receive reduced benefits to those that are refusing to work the program. A lot of talk with this current presidency is that he is going to be giving everyone and anyone “free handouts”. I do not believe people should be receiving benefits without trying to better their situations themselves. I know that is not very Social Workerish to say but … I am from South Dakota, so ….

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014c). Social work case

studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities
Publishing [Vital Source e-reader].