The Challenges of Conducting a Program Evaluation in a Growing, Dynamic Organization

• In Event: 1523 - Practice Symposium Roundtables
  In Informal Discussion Roundtable: Table 7: Using Sociology in Program Evaluation

Abstract

Selah Freedom is a national anti-sex trafficking organization headquartered in Sarasota, FL that has been in operation since 2010. Selah Freedom administrators requested a comprehensive program evaluation from faculty in the Criminology program at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Three faculty members and a graduate student have been working with Selah Freedom for over a year, evaluating their four divisions: Awareness, Prevention, Outreach and Residential. During that time, the organization has expanded to include operations in AZ, IL, NY and WI; orchestrated training programs in numerous other sites, including international locations; expanded their prevention programs to incorporate new curricula and younger age groups; opened a new residential facility; restructured and hired additional staff; changed some of their assessment instruments; and expanded their fundraising efforts. And, they continue to grow to meet the demand for their services. The challenge is similar to building a plane while flying it, as the organizational environment is continuously shifting. The evaluators propose a roundtable to invite others to share their experiences with program evaluation efforts in dynamic organizations and discuss ideas regarding how to maintain data integrity in those type situations.

Authors

• Sandra S. Stone, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

• Fawn T. Ngo, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

• Alexandra Fleck, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

• Jessica Marie Grosholz, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee