Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Logic models are valuable tools both for practice and for program evaluation. They enhance purpose and focus in social work, and they help social workers examine assumptions about what clients need, how to address those needs, and what may change if those needs are fulfilled.

This week, you practice creating a logic model and using that model to help in the developmental stages of a program. You develop a number of models: one for a program with which you are familiar and models at both the practice and program levels for a case study.

Students will:

• Create a logic model for a practitioner-level social work intervention
• Generate a theory of change for a practitioner-level social work intervention
• Create a logic model for a social work program
• Generate a theory of change for a social work program

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.) Oxford University Press.

• Chapter 6, “Needs Assessments” (pp. 115–143)

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Read the following section:

• “The Petrakis Family”

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Document: Randolph, K. A. (2010). Logic models. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp. 547–562). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF)

Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

United Way of America. (1996). Excerpts from Measuring program outcomes: A practical approach. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20130514153340/http://www.unitedwayslo.org/ComImpacFund/10/Excerpts_Outcomes.pdf

Document: Week 7: Developing A Logic Model Outline Assignment Handout (Word document)

Optional Resources

Donorfio, L. K. M., Vetter, R., & Vracevic, M. (2010). Effects of three caregiver interventions: Support, educational literature, and creative movement. Journal of Women & Aging, 22(1), 61–75

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Larsen, M., Tax, C., & Botuck, S. (2009). Standardizing practice at a victim services organization: A case analysis illustrating the role of evaluation. Administration in Social Work, 33(4), 439–449.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Discussion: Using a Logic Model to Focus Interventions and Achieve Desired Outcomes

In social work practice and in program development, it is possible to make faulty assumptions about what clients need and what social work activities will lead to. Consider the following:

A team of social workers meets to discuss their services to low-income young mothers. One social worker states that what the young mothers need most is information about community resources.

She proposes that the social workers’ activities consist of making referrals to programs for public assistance for income support, food stamps, medical insurance, employment agencies, and educational resources. However, another team member points out that most clients are referred to their program from the public welfare office and health care programs.

This suggests that the clients tend to possess knowledge of these common resources and have been able to access them.

How might the team explore what problems bring the clients to their agency? What might the team learn from client assessments? How can the team verify the desired outcomes of their services?

Developing a logic model will help the team see a logical connection between problems, needs, intervention activities, and corresponding outcomes. This series of logical connections leads to formulating a theory of change, that is, a theory about how our work leads to the outcomes for clients.

To prepare for this Discussion, imagine that you are part of a work group charged with creating a logic model and generating a theory of change. Select a practitioner-level intervention for which you are interested in analyzing connections. Consider how a logic model might be applied to that practice.

By Day 3

Post a logic model and theory of change for a practitioner-level intervention. Describe the types of problems, the client needs, and the underlying causes of problems and unmet needs. Identify the short- and long-term outcomes that you think would represent an improved condition.

Then describe interventions that would lead to a change in the presenting conditions. Be sure to search for and cite resources that inform your views.

By Day 5

Respond to at least two colleagues by doing all of the following:

• Offer critiques of their logic model as if you were a member of their work groups.
  • Identify strengths of the logic models.
  • Identify potential weaknesses in the assumptions or areas that may require additional information or clarification.
• Offer substantial information to assist your colleagues’ efforts such as:
  • Information to support their understanding of the problems and needs in this population
  • Suggestions related to intervention activities, and potential outcomes

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 7 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 7 Discussion

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Assignment: Outlining a Logic Model

A logic model is a tool that can be used in planning a program. Using a logic model, social workers can systematically analyze a proposed new program and how the various elements involved in a program relate to each other. At the program level, social workers consider the range of problems and needs that members of a particular population present.

Furthermore, at the program level, the logic model establishes the connection between the resources needed for the program, the planned interventions, the anticipated outcomes, and ways of measuring success. The logic model provides a clear picture of the program for all stakeholders involved.

To prepare for this Assignment, review the case study of the Petrakis family, located in this week’s resources. Conduct research to locate information on an evidence-based program for caregivers like Helen Petrakis that will help you understand her needs as someone who is a caregiver for multiple generations of her family.

You can use the NREPP registry. Use this information to generate two logic models for a support group that might help Helen manage her stress and anxiety.

First, consider the practice level. Focus on Helen’s needs and interventions that would address those needs and lead to improved outcomes. Then consider the support group on a new program level. Think about the resources that would be required to implement such a program (inputs) and about how you can measure the outcomes.

By Day 7

Submit the following:

• A completed practice-level logic model outline (table) from the Week 7 Assignment handout
• A completed program logic model outline (table) in the Week 7 Assignment Handout
• 2–3 paragraphs that elaborate on your practice-level logic model outline. Describe the activities that would take place in the support group sessions that would address needs and lead to improved outcomes
• 2–3 paragraphs that elaborate on your program-level logic model and address the following:
  • Decisions that would need to be made about characteristics of group membership
  • Group activities
  • Short- and long-term outcomes
  • Ways to measure the outcomes

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK7Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Week 7 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 7 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
• Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK7Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
• If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 7 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 7 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7

To submit your Assignment:

Week 7 Assignment

Week 7: How: Creating a Logic Model and Theory of Change

Week in Review

In this week, you practiced creating a logic model and using that model to help in the developmental stages of a program. You developed a number of models: one for a program with which you are familiar and models at both the practice and program levels for a case study.

In the next week, you will employ a thinking process similar to that used in your experiences with direct practice assessment.

To go to the next week:

Week 8