Measurement and Evaluation Narrative
We currently have an evaluation form for group members to complete at the beginning of the group cycle to measure client goals, needs, and specific behavioral, emotional, and social targets that the group is directed toward. At the halfway point in the group cycle, we will administer a similar evaluation to measure progress and inform of any changes in the curriculum that need to be made. A final evaluation form will include questions regarding the quality and quantity of therapeutic help received during the group; any changes that need to be made for the group therapy to be more effective going forward. These evaluations will continuously improve our group sessions, demonstrate our progress, and show our overall impact on the communities we’re serving. We will use the information provided to keep current with our progress and integrate the responses into future groups.
Context Narrative
Our organization continues to seek creative methods to serve our communities by providing mental health services in the context of gentrification, skyrocketing housing costs, labor shortages, and the high overhead required to provide extensive mental health services. As the need for these services continues to rise, the cost of providing them also continues to rise. Consequently, we are shifting our organization’s focus to providing mental health services in the form of group therapy, which we believe will be more cost-effective. As we reconfigure our services and develop contracts with school systems and other organizations, we require funds for general operating expenses, including rent, utilities, and administrative staff salary. We need financial support in order to continue our mission to provide mental health services for those with the most need, but who can least afford the cost.
Optional Narrative
We are striving to create innovative, cost-effective ways to provide ongoing therapeutic mental health and support services to members of our communities. In our area, the income divide affecting the social determinants of mental health is very stark. For those with valued, commercial insurance, or the means to pay out of pocket, mental health assistance is fairly easily sought and found. For those with public insurance, no insurance, and limited means very little ongoing mental health support is available. We seek to provide underserved communities with ongoing mental health support through group services, which will be cost-effective and sustainable over time.
