In this study, a focus group was carried out to assess the cross-system collaboration use as well as its effects on the delivery of service results among the social services agencies in the West Coast County. The main aim of the organization to conduct the research was to examine the options for greater collaboration and less fragmentation of the social services in the local area. The evaluation process was chosen because it produced valuable information. Regarding the stages of the program implementation, the focus group was carried out in the conference room at the organization headquarter. The focus group comprised of 10 workers led by a facilitator from the local office of the main community organization. The participants that were selected had diverse experiences working with youths, adults, families, older adults and children. The participants represented social work agencies that addressed community mental issues, child welfare, and family services (Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen, 2014). The focus group had five females as well as five male from different ethnic background.
It took 2-hours to record the procession of the focus group. The focus group was asked eight questions that explored the local examples of cross-system collaboration and the strengths and barriers found in utilizing the model. For analysis of the collected data, the researchers transcribed the whole recorded discussion and used Stat Pac, a qualitative data analysis software package. The focus group was successful because every participant provided feedback to the facilitator the collaboration of the system.
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With regard to results, the feedback obtained from the participants was helpful in designing new ways of delivering services as well as encouraging greater cooperation. The process enabled the organization to add a component to all agency annual plans and reports that the participants were asked to describe in terms of the types of cross-agency collaboration that occurred and the additional effort planned. The information in the case study mainly focused on the options for greater collaboration did not consider using a management information system to collect participants’ characteristics and participation of participants. The presented information could be improved through use of visual aids and handout and involving key policy makers throughout the evaluation process ( Dudley, 2014 ). The evaluation process improves the quality of the program, refine delivery components as well as provide information on what components of intervention are responsible for the outcomes. The questions were useful to obtain feedback from the participants.
References
Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd Ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year .
