Program Evaluation: The Accountability Bridge Model for Counselors

Abstract

The accountability and reform movements in education and the human services professions have pressured counselors to demonstrate outcomes of counseling programs and services. Evaluation models developed for large‐scale evaluations are generally impractical for counselors to implement. Counselors require practical models to guide them in planning and conducting counseling program evaluations. The authors present the Accountability Bridge Counseling Program Evaluation Model and discuss its use in evaluating counseling services and programs

From preservice leaders to advocacy leaders: exploring intersections in standards for advocacy in educational leadership and school counselling

“…Acknowledging and confronting barriers to the successful pursuit of the domains of knowledge a counselor needs to acquire to be effective advocates for students is part of the ethically warranted work of school counsellors (ASCA, 2004;Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Counsellors are expected to embrace the ethic of caring at the essence of their work .…”

Programme evaluation toolbox: effective evaluation principles and considerations in career practice

“…In response to the call for increased accountability in all counselling contexts, Astramovich and Coker (2007) presented the accountability bridge counselling program evaluation model as a framework for counsellors, counselling programmes, and agencies to help plan, deliver, and assess counselling services. This model places counselling evaluation in a cyclical framework, rather than a more traditional linear context.…”

“…Their framework consists of two interconnected cycles: the counselling programme evaluation cycle, which is focused on outcomes of services, and the counselling context evaluation cycle, which is focused on impacts of the services on stakeholders. The integral part of this model is the accountability bridge that exists between the two cycles, creating a continual feedback loop between evaluators and stakeholders (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). It is in this shift in the focus of accountability to include feedback from stakeholders and clients served where we believe a great potential for advocacy exists.…”

Evaluating Addictions Counseling Programs: Promoting Best Practices, Accountability, and Advocacy

“…Although program evaluation methods originally were developed for use primarily in the business sector, human services organizations also have adopted program evaluation strategies as a means for identifying effectiveness of interventions and for providing accountability. Consequently, conducting ongoing program evaluation has been identified as an emerging standard of practice for professional counselors (Astramovich & Coker, 2007; CACREP, 2009).…”