Articles
The Mission Continues: A Conceptual Framework and Selected Brief Screening Measures For Evaluating Civic Service and Health Outcomes Among Returning U.S. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan
Author:
Monica M. Matthieu
Saint Louis UniversityNone
About Monica
Monica M. MatthieuAssistant ProfessorSchool of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice
Abstract
Selecting indicators and outcome measures is an essential step in program evaluation. Given the distinctiveness and specificity of many community-based programs, nonprofit managers, evaluators, and research teams rarely share the design, development, and decision-making process that transforms good ideas into a cohesive evaluation plan. However, for some national non-profit organizations that serve vulnerable target populations, such as military service members recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, outcomes based accountability and program effectiveness are mission-centric. This paper aims to describe the background, framework, and lessons learned from a multi-year, national program evaluation of The Mission Continues’ Fellowship Program. For this summative evaluation, standardized measures were used to assess the biopsychosocial outcomes of participating in this veteran-focused civic service and leadership program with post-9/11/01 veterans. Consistent use of rigorous program evaluation methods and standardized measures supports the optimization and dissemination of best practices and evidence-based programs for the military and veteran populations.
How to Cite:
Matthieu, M. M. (2016). The Mission Continues: A Conceptual Framework and Selected Brief Screening Measures For Evaluating Civic Service and Health Outcomes Among Returning U.S. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Journal of Veterans Studies, 1(1), 205–223. DOI: http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v1i1.43
Published on
15 Jul 2016.
Downloads
