using logic models to create effective programs

Using Logic Models to Create Effective

Programs

The Value of using Logic Models Program planning tool that links outcomes with

outputs, inputs, stakeholders, and activities Engages stakeholders Clarifies program theory ~ fills in gaps Fosters ownership of the program Builds common understanding ~ especially about the

relationship between goals, actions, and results.

What is a logic model?

Activities Stakeholders Inputs Outputs Outcomes

Program planning tool that links outcomes with outputs, inputs, stakeholders, and activities

What’s that mean? Activities = actions Stakeholders = people or organizations Inputs = resources Outputs = quantity of products or services Outcomes = specific benefits

If… And… Then…?

Activities

Inputs

IF you use resources and work with stakeholders, and

IF you have evidence-based activities, access to them, and

IF services are provided and used as planned, then

The vision of benefits for clients may be achieved.

Outputs Outcomes

Stake-holders

What’s that look like?

Activities Stakeholders Inputs Outputs Outcomes

outreach education screening treatment

clients clinics hospitals schools faith-based

funds staff volunteers supplies equipment

# of people: served taught screened treated

knowledge skills attitudes behavior condition status

Program planning tool that links outcomes with outputs, inputs, stakeholders, and activities

Program Goal = the overall change you want to see Increase positive birth outcomes for pregnant teens

Target = the population you want to affectAll, or by age group, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic level

Objective = time + amount + target + strategy By 2010, at least 90% of pregnant Monterey County teens will enter into prenatal care in the first trimester.

Strategy = a systematic plan of action Increase early entry to prenatal care for pregnant

teens

How do I start?

Where do I want to end up?Outcomes!Short-term = Teens increase knowledge of prenatal nutrition & health guidelines

Mid-term = Teens maintain proper nutrition, health choices, and health guidelines

Long-term = Teens deliver healthy babies

So what’s different?

Outcomes are a measure of change

New knowledge Increased skills Changed attitudes or values Modified behaviors or practices Changed conditions

What’s reasonable outcome? Consider timeframe Consider resources and partners Consider other/external factors that may

influence outcome achievement Consider your contributions to a larger change Be ambitious but don’t set yourself up.

Types of Outcomes

Client/individual Family/communitySystemicOrganizational

Often easiest if organize along levels of change

Indicators Indicators are the specific, measurable

characteristics or changes that represent achievement of an outcome.

Indicators answer the question: How will I know it?

IndicatorsDirectMeaningfulUsefulPractical to collectSometimes more than one is needed

Indicators measure Outcomes Outcomes

Medical providers demonstrate accurate health assessment, education and prevention activities

Increased access to primary care physicians

Increased provider participation in network

Indicators# or % of medical

providers adhering to new assessment, education, and prevention protocols

# or % increase in clients who have a PCP

# and type of providers in network

Example Logic Model

Resources Activities Outputs Outcomes

Program Goal: Improve oral health care for low-income children

Before Logic Modeling, clarify program’s rationale

Continuation of existing programExpansion of existing programExisting program with modificationsNew program

Then clarify Logic Model timeframe…

Logic Model TimeframeA program cycleA calendar yearA grant periodThe time you believe it will take to show

meaningful results

… and Scope

Logic Model ScopeGeographic areaService areaClient population

Resources: What inputs are dedicated to the program?

Human resources (staff at the clinic) Facilities (clinic) Equipment & supplies Partners (referral agencies, funders) Technology (data management)

Example Logic Model

ResourcesDental Clinic Coordinator

Community Health Director

Staff dentist

Staff pediatrician

Medical providers

Money for supplies

ActivitiesTraining• Develop curriculum• Two, one-hour trainings to medical providers in oral health assessment• Two, one-hour cultural competency trainings for medical providers

Outreach• Order dental supplies for packets• Make up packets• Distribute to parents at end of each visit

OutputsTraining# of two-hour trainings held# of one-on-one trainings held# of medical providers trained

Outreach# of parents/children receiving packets

Outcomes

Medical providers demonstrate accurate oral health assessment, education and prevention activities

More children receive high-quality oral health assessment, education and prevention activities during well-child visits

Parents/children are more knowledgeable about oral health and caring for children’s teeth

Reduced incidence of caries in children at the community health center


Often stakeholders

Activities: What is the program doing?

Think first about components:OutreachTraining ConsultationStaff DevelopmentPartnership Development

Example Logic Model

Outputs OutcomesResourcesDental Clinic Coordinator


Staff dentist

Staff pediatrician

Medical providers

Money for supplies

ActivitiesTraining•Develop curriculum•Two one-hour didactic trainings to medical providers in oral health assessment•One-on-one training to medical providers on oral health

Outreach•Order dental supplies for packets•Make up packets•Distribute to parents at end of each visit


Outreach:


Develop coalitionsCommunications (press releases, brochures)Create social networks

Hire curriculum development teamDevelop training curriculumRecruit training teamRecruit participants Provide training sessions


Training:

Outputs: What is the program producing?

Usually quantifiable measure of program activities

# of training workshops held # of participants attending each workshop # of partnerships formed # of policy briefings conducted # of press packets disseminated

Example Logic Model

ResourcesDental Clinic Coordinator


Staff dentist

Staff pediatrician

Medical providers

Money for supplies





Outcomes


Chain of OutcomesShort term: are the most direct results of activities

and outputs, generally achievable in one year. Intermediate: link a program’s short-term outcomes

to long-term outcomes. Long term: result from the achievement of short

and intermediate term outcomes and often take a longer time to achieve.

Chain of Outcomes





Short-TermOutcomes

Medical providers demonstrate accurate oral health assessment, education and prevention activities

Parents/children are more knowledgeable about oral health and caring for children’s teeth

Inter.-TermOutcomes

More children receive high-quality oral health assessment, education and prevention activities during well-child visits

Long-TermOutcomes

Reduced incidence of caries in children receiving care from the community health center

Usually knowledge change

Usually an action

Usually a condition


Recap: The Value of Using Logic Models

Engages stakeholders.

Clarifies program theory and fills in the gaps.

Builds ownership of the program.

Builds common understanding about the program, especially about the relationship between actions and results.

using logic models to create effective programs

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