Implementing Program Evaluation in Rehabilitation Facilities

Abstract

Program evaluation has received increased attention in human service organizations since enactment of the Rehabilitation Acts of 1973 and 1978. However, there is evidence in the literature that rehabilitation facility staff are resistant to fully implementing program evaluation despite the research documenting numerous benefits to the client and organization. This article examines the perceptions of rehabilitation facility staff toward program evaluation in terms of the rationale for assessing program outcomes, identifying methods that may be used to encourage rehabilitation facilities to integrate the appropriate model and activities for conducting program assessment, and outlines strategies for implementing program evaluation in preservice and inservice training programs.