A stakeholder-collaborative evaluation of intervention for students with greater psychosocial needs

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-230
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
School Social Workers ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Funding Body ◽  
Collaborative Evaluation

Abstract The Tier 2 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in Hong Kong was designed and implemented by school social workers targeting adolescents with greater psychosocial needs. Based on the responses of 237 participants, 48 program implementers wrote down five conclusions on the program effectiveness in their reports submitted to the funding body. Based on a stakeholder-collaborative approach involving secondary data analyses, results showed that most conclusions were positive regarding participants’ perceptions of the program, instructors and their perceived program effectiveness, although there were also conclusions reflecting difficulties encountered and suggestions for improvements. In conjunction with the previous evaluation findings, the present study suggests that the Tier 2 Program was well received by the stakeholders and the program was beneficial to the development of the program participants.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program for Adolescents with Greater Psychosocial Needs: Integrated Views of Program Implementers

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1890-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M. S. Ma ◽  
Rachel C. F. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Program Improvement ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
School Social Workers ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Youth Development Program

To help adolescents with greater psychosocial needs, the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) was designed and implemented by school social workers and teachers. Based on subjective outcome evaluation data collected from the program participants (n = 2,542) in 49 schools, program implementers were invited to write down five conclusions based on an integration of the evaluation findings. With reference to 245 conclusions included in the 49 evaluation reports, secondary data analyses showed that most of the conclusions concerning perceptions of the Tier 2 Program, instructors, and program effectiveness were positive. In addition, difficulties encountered and recommendations for program improvement were highlighted. In conjunction with previous evaluation findings, the present study suggests that the Tier 2 Program was well received and was perceived to be beneficial to the development of adolescents with greater psychosocial needs.

scholarly journals Secondary Data Analyses of Conclusions Drawn by the Program Implementers of a Positive Youth Development Program in Hong Kong

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 238-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. H. Siu ◽  
Daniel T.L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Youth Development Program ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Study Results

The Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is designed for adolescents with significant psychosocial needs, and its various programs are designed and implemented by social workers (program implementers) for specific student groups in different schools. Using subjective outcome evaluation data collected from the program participants (Form C) at 207 schools, the program implementers were asked to aggregate data and write down five conclusions (n = 1,035) in their evaluation reports. The conclusions stated in the evaluation reports were further analyzed via secondary data analyses in this study. Results showed that the participants regarded the Tier 2 Program as a success, and was effective in enhancing self-understanding, interpersonal skills, and self-management. They liked the experiential learning approach and activities that are novel, interesting, diversified, adventure-based, and outdoor in nature. They also liked instructors who were friendly, supportive, well-prepared, and able to bring challenges and give positive recognition. Most of the difficulties encountered in running the programs were related to time constraints, clashes with other activities, and motivation of participants. Consistent with the previous evaluation findings, the present study suggests that the Tier 2 Program was well received by the participants and that it was beneficial to the development of the program participants.

Positive youth development program targeting students with greater psychosocial needs: Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Rachel C.F. Sun ◽  
Pik Fong Tsui
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
First Year ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Experimental Implementation

Abstract The Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. targets adolescents with greater psychosocial needs. Based on subjective outcome evaluation data collected from 2173 participants recruited in 52 schools, 257 conclusions were reported by the program implementers in the evaluation reports. These conclusions were further analyzed via secondary data analyses. Although most of the conclusions concerning perceptions of the Tier 2 Program, instructors, and program effectiveness were positive in nature, there were also conclusions on the difficulties encountered and suggestions for improvements. Consistent with the previous evaluation findings, the present study suggests that the Tier 2 Program was well received by different stakeholders and the program was beneficial to the development of the program participants in the first year of the Experimental Implementation Phase.

scholarly journals Positive Youth Development Programs Targeting Students with Greater Psychosocial Needs: A Replication

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 261-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tak Yan Lee ◽  
Daniel T.L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
School Social Workers ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Volunteer Training ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Training Activities ◽  
Adventure Based Counseling

The Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) targets adolescents with greater psychosocial needs, and the related programs were designed and implemented by school social workers. After completion of the Tier 2 Program (Secondary 1 Level), 9,931 participants in 212 schools responded to the Subjective Outcome Evaluation Form (Form C) in order to assess their views of the program, workers, and perceived effectiveness of the program. Based on the consolidated reports submitted by the agencies to the funding body, the research team aggregated the consolidated data to form a “reconstructed” overall profile on the perceptions of the program participants. Four major types of program were identified, including programs based on the adventure-based counseling approach (n = 58), programs concentrating on volunteer training and services (n = 31), programs offering both adventure-based counseling and volunteer training activities (n = 91), and other programs with different foci (n = 32). Results showed that high proportions of the respondents had positive perceptions of the programs and the workers, and over four-fifths of the respondents regarded the program as helpful to them. The present study provides support for the effectiveness of the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong for the Full Implementation Phase.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a community-based positive youth development program for adolescents with greater psychosocial needs: views of the program participants

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma ◽  
Moon Y.M. Law ◽  
Zoe Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
School Students ◽  
Community Based

AbstractThe present study attempted to investigate the perceptions of Chinese secondary school students with greater psychosocial needs of the Tier 2 Program in the community-based phase of P.A.T.H.S. Project in Hong Kong (n=4245). Using a subjective outcome evaluation tool (Form C), the results revealed that a great majority of the students held positive attitudes toward the program, implementers and the effectiveness of the program. Also, the three domains of the program (“program quality”, “implementer quality” and “program effectiveness”) were significantly associated with each other. In line with previous findings, both program content and program implementer quality were significant predictors of program effectiveness. The current findings further reinforce the thesis that the community-based Tier 2 programs of the P.A.T.H.S. Project are effective in promoting the holistic development of adolescents with greater psychosocial needs in Hong Kong.

Positive youth development programs for adolescents with greater psychosocial needs: evaluation based on program implementers

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Catalina S.M. Ng ◽  
Moon Y.M. Law
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Subjective Outcome ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Youth Development Programs ◽  
Alternative Perspective

Abstract As program implementers’ views are seldom included in program evaluation and there are few related studies in different Chinese communities, this study examined the perceptions of the program implementers who implemented the Tier 2 Program of the P.A.T.H.S. Program in Hong Kong. The Tier 2 Program was designed to promote the development of adolescents with greater psychosocial needs. In the community-based P.A.T.H.S. Project, 400 program implementers completed a subjective outcome evaluation form (Form D) for program implementers. Consistent with the previous findings, program implementers generally held positive views towards the program, implementers, and program effectiveness and their views towards these three domains did not differ across grades. In line with the hypotheses, perceived program quality and perceived implementer quality predicted program effectiveness. The present findings provided an alternative perspective showing that the Tier 2 Program was well received by the program implementers and they regarded the program to be beneficial to the program participants.

scholarly journals Subjective Outcome Evaluation Based on Secondary Data Analyses: The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 224-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Rachel C.F. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Subjective Outcome ◽  
School Based ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Tier 1

The intent of this study was to evaluate the program effectiveness of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) (Secondary 1 Curriculum) by analyzing 207 school-based program reports, in which program implementers were invited to write down five conclusions based on an integration of the subjective outcome evaluation data collected from the program participants and program implementers. Secondary data analyses were conducted and 1,855 meaningful units were extracted from 1,035 “aggregated” conclusions. Among them, about 27 and 18% were related to perceptions of the program and implementers, respectively, and most of them were positive in nature. About one-third was related to perceived effectiveness of the program, and most of them referred to enhancement of students' development in societal, familial, interpersonal, and personal aspects. However, difficulties encountered during program implementation (3.34%) and recommendations for improvement (18.11%) were also reported. The present study replicated the findings reported in previous studies and suggests that the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. is beneficial to the development of the program participants.

Evaluation of programs for adolescents with greater psychosocial needs: community-based Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Moon Y.M. Law
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
School Students ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Chinese Secondary School Students

Abstract This study examined the perceptions of the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social programmes) among Chinese secondary school students displaying greater psychosocial needs. Results showed that participants held positive views of program qualities, implementer qualities, as well as the perceived effectiveness of the program. Significant grade differences in terms of various indicators of satisfaction related to program qualities, implementer qualities, and program effectiveness were found. Correlation analyses showed that there were significant inter-relationships amongst program qualities, implementer qualities and program effectiveness. In line with the predictions, both program qualities and implementer qualities were significant predictors of perceived program effectiveness. The present study provides support for the perceived effectiveness of the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the community-based project context.

scholarly journals Practice in a Pandemic: School Social Workers’ Adaptations and Experiences During the 2020 COVID-19 School Disruptions

2021 ◽  
pp. 104438942110098
Author(s):  
Michael S. Kelly ◽  
Rami Benbenishty ◽  
Gordon Capp ◽  
Kate Watson ◽  
Ron Astor
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
School Social Work ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Virtual School ◽  
School Social Workers ◽  
Traditional Practice

In March 2020, as American PreK-12 schools shut down and moved into online learning in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there was little information about how school social workers (SSWs) were responding to the crisis. This study used a national online survey to understand how SSWs ( N = 1,275) adapted their school practice during the initial 2020 COVID-19 crisis. Findings from this study indicate that SSWs made swift and (relatively) smooth adaptations of their traditional practice role to the new context, though not without reporting considerable professional stress and personal challenges doing so. SSWs reported significant concerns about their ability to deliver effective virtual school social work services given their students’ low motivation and lack of engagement with online learning, as well as significant worries about how their students were faring during the first months of the pandemic. Implications for school social work practice, policy, and research are discussed.

The Art of Becoming Indispensable

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Academic Preparation ◽  
School Social Workers ◽  
Master Of Social Work ◽  
New School ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Work Practitioner ◽  
Social Work Programs ◽  
The Impact

Despite their academic preparation and lived experiences, new school social workers face a learning curve when moving from entry-level practice to proficiency. The Art of Being Indispensable: What School Social Workers Need to Know in Their First Three Years of Practice is the first book focusing specifically on the needs of new school social workers as they transition to this complex role. Each of the book’s 20 chapters features an academic scholar and at least one school social work practitioner; overall, there are 18 academics and 42 practitioners from 28 different states. The diversity of the authors’ experiences, representing all variations of schools and districts, ensures that the content is applicable to a variety of practice contexts. Each chapter addresses the challenges of a public health pandemic and the impact of racial injustice. There is a timeless quality to this text since every year, new school social workers are being hired, whether from master of social work and bachelor of social work programs or from the ranks of professional social workers changing fields and becoming school social workers. This indispensable guide will help new school social workers to effectively execute their roles and responsibilities.

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