How did the organization develop? What is the story behind the work? How has it changed over time?

EDCO 705

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IMPACT PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

This is an investigative paper analyzing and assessing the effectiveness and impact of a mental health organization in your community. You will set up an appointment with an executive or director and conduct a face-to-face interview with him/her. Recording the interview is

recommended. While much of your paper will be based on information gleaned from the

interview, the substance should come from critical assessment and evaluation based on

secondary research and best practices articulated in scholarly research. You must incorpo^{rate the} June & Black and the Scott & Wolfe texts in substantial and meaningful ways and draw ^on
recent journal articles. A minority of your sources may consist of professional web so^{urces such} as local news and the organization’s own materials. This must be a 12-15 page pap^{er in current} APA format with 12 sources, not counting the interview. Include the following ^{content, using} appropriate headings:

1   Demographic information about the organization: Disclose the n^{ame of the}

organization; its location(s) and current address, phone number, ^{website URL, etc. Name} the person you interviewed, and explain his/her title and funct^{ion within the organization.}

2   History and funding: How did the organization develop^{? What is the story behind the}
work? How has it changed over time?

3   Present status: What is the organization’s purpose/^{mission statement? Who does it}
serve? How is it funded? (Private, public, fundraisin^{g, special interest groups, etc.)}
Describe the staffing. How many counselors, socia^{l workers, psychiatrists, behavioral}
specialist, etc. work with the organization?

4   Community collaboration: Who does th^{is organization work with, collaborate with, or}
network with to accomplish its goals? (S^{ome organizations began a couple of decades}
ago and worked from a “one stop sh^{op” kind of model. Today, many of the}se same
organizations work with various mental h^{ealth providers} to provide the same services that
once were provided in-house.) Is collaboration a central focus of this organization?

5   Community impact: Describe the organization’s community impact and/or effectiveness
in serving its clients, both from the interviewees own perspective and from secondary
sources. Has public policy been impacted by this organization?

6  Evaluation: From your research and analysis, assess the organization’s strengths and
weaknesses. What does this organization do well and not so well? What do you see as
possible action plans to improve what this organization does and how they carry out its
mission and purpose?